SJC Monthly News Digest – March 2025

This column is part of a series detailing San Juan County’s recent news. Follow along each month to learn about important County projects, Council initiatives, department updates, and more.

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

San Juan County Establishes Interim Inter-Island Transportation Services as RFP Process Continues 

This week, the County finalized a contract with an Orcas Island business, Outer Island Excursions, to develop temporary interisland transportation services through April 15, 2025, in the event the interisland ferry is out of service before the full suite of pilot services is available. Providing this service has been discussed at several recent Council meetings and reflects Council’s desire to extend the availability of the pilot program.   

“We want to ensure that even while we’re setting up the full array of transportation options, our residents who rely upon interisland travel for their jobs, medical appointments, and schooling can still move between the islands during outages,” said Council Chair Kari McVeigh.

Per the one-month contract, Outer Island Excursions will monitor the interisland ferry schedule for cancellations. If a ferry is out of service, within two hours the company will provide foot passenger transportation between the islands. Riders can sign up for seats aboard the boat, see the schedule, and learn more about the program via their website: 

• Schedule: https://www.outerislandx.com/emergency-water-taxi 
• Sign Up for Seats: https://outerislandx.rezgo.com/details/388236/emergency-inter-island-water-taxi-service 
• Call with Questions:  360-376-3711

Town & County Councils Discuss Affordable Housing, Comp Plan Updates, and More at Joint Meeting

This month, the Town and County Councils met at Brickworks where they reviewed significant projects, services, and opportunities for collaboration. The meeting lasted approximately three hours, and a recording can be found on the Town and County’s websites.   

“I felt it was a positive and productive meeting that highlighted our shared commitment to serving the community,” said County Council Chair Kari McVeigh. “I was so pleased to review all the ways the County and Town work together and to see strong collaboration in action.”

Read more about the meeting on the County’s website: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1870

County Announces Trail Funding to be Used on Land Bank’s Beaverton Marsh Preserve

This month, Council reviewed the most recent iteration of the ‘Trail Project’ for which the County received $5.2 million in federal funding in 2023. After a brief recap of all explored routes and options, Council supported the most recent plan to use the funding on the Conservation Land Bank’s Beaverton Marsh Preserve.

The updated scope of the proposed trail project includes over 1.5 miles of improved or new trails and a 200-foot boardwalk crossing the marsh that would connect the Redtail Trail (trailhead located at John O. Linde Community Park) to the Nuthatch Trail located off Halvorsen Road.

San Juan County’s Affordable Housing Spring Roundup

San Juan County’s Home Fund is now in its seventh year of existence since voters approved it back in 2018. To date, the County has contributed over $13 million dollars in funding to 13 affordable housing projects throughout the County. These projects represent 104 units of affordable housing that have already been built or preserved, with another 92 units currently in active development. In total the County’s Home Fund has been able to contribute funding to 196 units of affordable housing.

Currently there are four projects that have received grants from the Home Fund that are in active construction with expected completion dates by the end of 2025. Two more projects which have received funding are in the pre-development phase including the Argyle project on San Juan Island and the Pea Patch project on Orcas. Raed more on the County’s website: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1865

Council Begins Review of Comp Plan Elements During Spring Workshop Meetings

This month, Department of Community Development (DCD) staff kicked off a series of Comprehensive Plan Element review sessions at Council. Councilmembers had the opportunity to review a few draft elements and provide DCD with feedback.  

These workshop reviews will continue throughout the spring and provide opportunities for Council and the public to engage with the Comp Plan. DCD staff will return to Council on the following schedule:

• March 17, 2025: Element 1 (Governance), Element 4 (Water Resources), Element 9 (Historic and Archeological Preservation) and Element 10 (Economic Development)
• March 31, 2025: Element 5 (Housing), Element 7 (Capital Facilities), Element 11 (Climate)
• April 14, 2025: Element 2 (Land Use), Official Maps
• April 28, 2025: Element 6 (Transportation), Element 8 (Utilities), other remaining Comp Plan components

You can access the meeting live streams, recordings, and agenda packets on the County’s website: https://sanjuancowa.portal.civicclerk.com/  

County Float in Eastsound Remains Closed for 2025 Season

San Juan County’s Public Works Department owns and/or maintains marine facilities (piers, floats, and ramps) at 16 locations across the islands, one of which is located in Eastsound on Orcas Island. The department is providing public notice that this facility in Eastsound – a 40ft long float – will remain closed for the 2025 season.  

Learn more about this decision on the County’s website. This facility in Eastsound was reconstructed in 1992. An annual report of County marine facilities is available from the Public Works Department: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/309/County-Roads.  

Douglas/Bailer Hill Road Improvements Project on SJI Kicks off this April

San Juan County’s Public Works Department is seeking to address sight lines, flooding, and congestion with the Douglas/Bailer Hill Road Improvements Project, slated to begin construction in early April. The 1.3-mile project is anticipated to last through September of 2025.

The existing road will remain open to through traffic and the project is not anticipating a full closure or detour. During working hours, flaggers will manage single-lane access as needed and reopen the road fully during evenings and weekends. The project team is coordinating with the school district, first responders, and other partners to provide project details and ensure continuation of services.  

The Public Works Department will continue to provide updates as the project moves forward. All related materials can be found on the County’s website: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/278/Current-Projects    

County Council Renews Agreement with Lopez Solid Waste

During a meeting on Lopez Island, Council adopted an updated interlocal agreement (ILA) with the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District (LSWDD) that reinforces a continued partnership between the County and the District for the next 10 years.

Updates to the new interlocal agreement reflect the terms of San Juan County Code Chapter 8.12 and help to ensure the facility’s continued compliance with County Code and State Law, while also reflecting the important role of the District in the oversight and management of operations at the site. The changes in the ILA provide a new ten-year duration, from 2025 to 2035.

Learn more about the County’s recent news by visiting: sanjuancountywa.gov/1930/San-Juan-County-Newsroom