San Juan County Explores Other Opportunities to Address Infrastructure Needs on Lopez Island After Not Receiving NOAA Grant

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

###

Share San Juan County Explores Other Opportunities to Address Infrastructure Needs on Lopez Island After Not Receiving NOAA Grant on Facebook Share San Juan County Explores Other Opportunities to Address Infrastructure Needs on Lopez Island After Not Receiving NOAA Grant on Twitter Share San Juan County Explores Other Opportunities to Address Infrastructure Needs on Lopez Island After Not Receiving NOAA Grant on Linkedin Email San Juan County Explores Other Opportunities to Address Infrastructure Needs on Lopez Island After Not Receiving NOAA Grant link