Community Meeting: Agate Beach County Park Updates & Road Relocation on Lopez Island

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. October 8, 2026 – MacKaye Harbor Rd and the Agate Beach County Park on Lopez Island are scheduled for infrastructure updates in 2027. Reconstruction of MacKaye Harbor Road and the Agate Beach County Park parking area will help protect access to public, private, and tribal lands, while navigating the impacts of coastal erosion. Nearby property owners and Lopez Islanders are invited to a community meeting to learn more about the upcoming projects.

WHAT: Community meeting to plan for road relocation efforts

WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm

WHERE: Agate Beach County Park, MacKaye Harbor Rd, Lopez Island, WA

HOW: In-person. Additional materials are available online: https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/agate-beach-updates-and-road-relocation

WHO: All residents interested in the projects, especially those with property in the MacKaye Harbor area

WHY: To share information, listen to the community, answer questions, and collect feedback

PROJECT DETAILS

Public Works plans to rebuild a section of MacKaye Harbor Rd from the Agate Beach County Park to Seth Rd – less than a mile stretch. The project will involve rebuilding the road and the Agate Beach County Park parking area. Fallen rock on Agate Beach will be removed, and the rock revetment will be repaired.

“After 20 years of research and planning, it’s exciting to move this project forward so we can protect access to people’s homes and valuable public lands,” said Hunter Buffum. “We’re grateful for the community’s continued interest in this work and look forward to breaking ground this spring.”

The work is anticipated to begin in the spring/ early summer of 2027, approximately April through September. One lane of traffic will be maintained during construction. Parking for Agate Beach and Iceberg Point will not be available during construction.

Simultaneously, County Parks will use the new road grade to re-establish an anchor point for aluminum stairs, with the goal of restoring seasonal access to Agate Beach for park visitors.

"After a long and frustrating absence of stairs at Agate Beach, we're excited to identify a path forward to reopen this important community asset to enjoy one of the most beloved sections of shoreline on Lopez Island,” said Parks and Fair Director Brandon Andrews. “After the previous footing was undermined by the eroding shoreline, the new road work is a great opportunity to engineer a solution that we can feel confident in for years to come."

PROJECT HISTORY

The south end of Lopez Island’s coastlines and roads have been studied since 2002, with significant damage identified starting in 2005. The County conducted a MacKaye Harbor Road Relocation Feasibility Study in 2017 (available at this link) and continues to work on long-term planning and infrastructure sustainability.

Over the years, the County has pursued funding for infrastructure and climate resiliency projects, compiled the best available science to inform plans, and hosted community meetings to share information and gather feedback. See more project history here: https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/agate-beach-updates-and-road-relocation

With these projects, the County seeks to protect access to public, private, and tribal lands, while navigating the impacts of coastal erosion.

Questions? Contact: Hunter Buffum, Project Manager hunterb@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 .

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