Plan Drafting & Next Steps

Update May 2023: Thanks to the input of our steering committee, the Sustainable Tourism Management Plan's title has been updated to the San Juan Islands Destination Management Plan (SDMP). The new title aims to capture the full breadth of visitation's impacts, benefits, and responsibilities, to the San Juan Islands as a whole.

The gap analysis work was carried out over the winter, and we are now drafting the plan and working with consultants on the document layout and design.

In preparing to create the plan document, we’ve reviewed other destinations’ plans, especially those facing similar challenges from tourism. The focus for our document will be measurable goals with meaningful actions.

We anticipate sharing a draft plan for public review in June, which we will then bring to the County Council in July. This working draft will set the stage to begin guiding investments and implementing management strategies. We will carry out additional outreach and complete thoughtful consultation with Tribes, to ensure the plan is meaningful and equitable for all, before presenting a final draft to Council for adoption.