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 Launches 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update Process
San Juan County is kicking off its Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) Update with support from a consultant team and a grant from the Department of Commerce. All project information, including updates, announcements, and drafts will be available on the project’s Engage webpage: https://engage.
County Launches Climate Resilience Planning with Community Survey
Recognizing the pressing need to address climate change and its far-reaching impacts on the community, San Juan County is developing a dedicated Climate Element as part of the County’s Comprehensive Plan update and an accompanying Climate Action Plan (CAP).
You can help determine how resources are used and what projects we undertake to enhance the well-being of the entire community.
The first of two community-wide climate surveys is open now through June 16. San Juan County residents are invited to take this survey to help us better understand the community’s vision, what Islanders value, and your concerns for climate change impacts. The second climate survey, which will run later in the summer, will focus on prioritized strategies. The survey is available on the Engage San Juan County website: https://engage.
WA State Governor and Assistant Secretary of WSF Talk Ferry Service & Solar Power with SJC Officials
San Juan County officials met with Washington State Governor Jay Inslee and Assistant Secretary of the Washington State Ferries (WSF) Steve Nevey to discuss ferry service and solar power in the San Juans.
“I was pleased to welcome both the governor and WSF leadership to discuss the challenges we’re facing here in San Juan County,” said Council Chair Jane Fuller. The Governor’s presence signaled his ongoing commitment to improved reliability of service on our ferry route and this was underscored with the presence of the new Assistant Secretary of WSF.
Dental Clinic Dates Announced for Orcas Island
San Juan County Health & Community Services (HCS) is pleased to announce twenty upcoming community dental clinics on Orcas Island thanks to the partnership with Orcas Island Community Foundation, Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC), Orcas Island Healthcare District and the amazing dental team at DentALL. The Orcas community dental clinics will start May 10. There will also be community dental clinics with Spanish-speaking bilingual clinical team members. The bilingual clinic dates have an asterisk (*). The upcoming clinic dates for Orcas Island are:
- May: 10, 11
- June: 21, 28, 29
- July: 12, 13*, 19, 20
- August: 16, 17*, 30, 31
- September: 13, 27, 28
- October: 4, 5, 25, 26*
Community dental clinics are also available on San Juan Island thanks to HCS’s partnership with Fish for Teeth. Upcoming clinic dates for San Juan Island are:
- Saturday, June 1
- Friday, Sept. 20
- Friday, Nov. 8
Lopez, Shaw, and other island residents are welcome to travel or Friday Harbor or Orcas community dental clinics.
Learn more: https://sanjuancountywa.gov/
San Juan County Announces Resurfacing of Nearly 16 Miles of Roads this Summer
San Juan County’s Public Works Department is announcing its annual summer road resurfacing schedule to chip seal nearly 16 miles of roads on San Juan and Orcas Islands. Learn more by visiting the County Roads Program webpage at https://www.sanjuancountywa.
Learn more about the County’s recent news by visiting: sanjuancountywa.gov/1930/San-
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
