County receives support from Rep. Larsen for funding repairs at Orcas Landing

Applying for these new funding sources is just one of several ways the County is continuing to manage budget shortfalls in 2026 and 2027

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

In an effort to manage budget constraints in 2026 and 2027, San Juan County pursued congressional funding to help maintain public services and infrastructure. This included submitting a $4 million Community Project Funding request to Representative Rick Larsen’s Office to fund repairs and improvements to the Orcas Landing Marine Facility. 

The County is thrilled to receive news that Rep. Larsen has submitted a request for the full amount to the federal appropriations committee. Though not yet officially funded, this is an exciting step toward updating the critical infrastructure at Orcas Landing.

“The support by Rep. Rick Larsen of the Orcas Landing Marine Facility improvements represents the potential for significant benefit to all segments of our community,” said Justin Paulsen, San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 rep. “This facility serves as one of the primary transportation hubs in San Juan County, benefiting businesses, commuters, and multiple essential service providers. This project will also deliver meaningful benefit to the marine ecosystem by modernizing the facility and removing legacy environmental hazards. I appreciate that Rep. Rick Larsen has chosen to make San Juan County a priority in his advocacy at the congressional level.”

About the Proposed Orcas Landing Marine Facility Improvements 

As a free, public dock, this transient moorage is available to any community member. Additionally, transitory moorage for a variety of marine protection, assistance, and enforcement agencies, including WDFW, USCG, and DNR, is regularly observed. The facility also provided passenger-only service during ferry disruptions, making it a vital transportation asset.  

The facility, adjacent to the WSF terminal on Orcas Island, requires significant improvements. Closed in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for emergency repairs, the facility requires a full replacement at an estimated cost of approximately $4 million. 

Past patches and temporary fixes to the Orcas Landing dock have been disruptive and expensive. They have also prolonged the current facility, which has heavy creosote timbers that continue to impact marine waters. With this capital investment, the facility can be readily replaced using industry best practices as required by the various federal, state, and local agencies that manage our natural resources.

With federal support, the County hopes to modernize aging marine facilities, address climate‑driven vulnerabilities, and reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers.  

The County appreciates the support from Rep. Larsen and looks forward to providing additional information about the proposed project as it becomes available. 

Questions? Contact: Colin Huntemer, Public Works Director, colinh@sanjuancountywa.gov

About San Juan County’s Public Works Department    

San Juan County’s Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads. The department offices are located at 1609 Beaverton Valley Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Public Works Department, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/277/Public-Works .