Sea Level Rise Adaptation – Outer Bay and Agate Beach Areas, Lopez Island

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. September 17, 2024 – San Juan County and its partners in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Resilience Regional Challenge did not receive grant funding this summer. The County applauds all other programs and entities that received funding for their innovative approaches to increasing the resilience of coastal communities.

Background

The south end of Lopez Island’s vulnerable coastlines and roads have been studied since 2002. The County conducted a MacKaye Harbor Road Relocation Feasibility Study in 2017 (available at this link) and continues to collect best available science for long-term planning and infrastructure sustainability.

The County attempted to pursue funding for infrastructure and climate resiliency projects including:

• Shoreline Protection and Enhancement Project that combines engineering and nature-based solutions to protect the critical shoreline infrastructure of MacKaye Harbor Road along Outer Bay.
• Inland Road Relocation Project for the potential relocation of MacKaye Harbor Road along Barlow and Outer Bays to an elevation above the future anticipated floodplain.
• Both potential projects seek to protect access to public, private, and tribal lands, while mitigating the impacts to forage fish spawning habitat from coastal erosion and sea level rise.

What’s Next?

The County has been unsuccessful in securing grant funding for this work via NOAA, but will continue to explore other opportunities with State and Federal partners to address the long-term infrastructure needs on Lopez Island and across the county. The County is simultaneously working on strategic shoreline adaptation strategies related to the Risk and Vulnerability Assessment that will be released this fall. San Juan County will provide updates as they are available and will notify the public of any future engagement opportunities.

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

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On Thursday, April 25, 2024, the County’s Public Works and Environmental Stewardship Departments invited MacKaye Harbor area property owners and Lopez Island community members to a meeting about sea level rise adaptation and infrastructure resiliency work.

The meeting was held at the Lopez Island Grange and was attended in-person by 50+ people and roughly 35 people online via Zoom.

A recording of the meeting can be found on the project’s Engage website and linked directly here:

https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/sea-level-rise-adaptation-outer-bay-and-agate-beach-areas-lopez-island/widgets/81955/videos/5255

The presentation slides are also available on the project’s Engage website and linked directly here: https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/24139/widgets/80667/documents/54452

Find all other project materials on the project’s Engage website: Sea Level Rise Adaptation – Outer Bay and Agate Beach Areas, Lopez Island | Engage San Juan County (sanjuancountywa.gov).

The project team is reviewing public feedback, awaiting news of funding, and planning to release updates as they are available.

Please direct project questions to Grant Carlton at grantc@sanjuancountywa.gov.

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. April 11, 2024 – The County’s Public Works and Environmental Stewardship Departments invite MacKaye Harbor area property owners and Lopez Island community members to a meeting about sea level rise adaptation and infrastructure resiliency work.

WHAT: Community meeting to plan for sea level rise adaptation and infrastructure resiliency work

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2024 4-5:30pm

WHERE: Lopez Island Grange, 452 Richardson Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261

HOW: In-person at the Grange and online via Zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83911603848 Meeting ID: 839 1160 3848

WHO: All residents interested in coastal erosion adaptation projects, especially those with property in the MacKaye Harbor area / South Lopez

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

The south end of Lopez Island’s vulnerable coastlines and roads have been studied since 2002. The County conducted a MacKaye Harbor Road Relocation Feasibility Study in 2017 (available at this link) and is working to collect best available science for long-term planning and infrastructure sustainability.

The County is pursuing funding for infrastructure and climate resiliency projects including:

• Shoreline Protection and Enhancement Project that combines engineering and nature-based solutions to protect the critical shoreline infrastructure of MacKaye Harbor Road along Outer Bay.
• Inland Road Relocation Project for the potential relocation of MacKaye Harbor Road along Barlow and Outer Bays to an elevation above the future anticipated floodplain.

Both potential projects seek to protect access to public, private, and tribal lands, while mitigating the impacts to forage fish spawning habitat from coastal erosion and sea level rise.

Property owners in the MacKaye Harbor area, and anyone interested in sea level rise adaptation projects, are encouraged to attend the community meeting. We thank you for your time and any feedback you can provide.

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 .

About San Juan County’s Environmental Stewardship Department

San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship is responsible for solid waste, marine resources, clean water, cultural resources, and climate and sustainability work. The department offices are located at 1609 Beaverton Valley Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/839/Environmental-Stewardship.

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