LIO-SJ Projects
CURRENT PROJECTS
Work done to complete Near Term Actions of past local Action Agendas from the San Juan Local Integrating Organization has led to the creation of funding opportunities for some of the ongoing projects that are now underway. The current 2014 Action Agenda will function in the same manner, setting new or continued locally effective projects in motion. In all cases, we work create actions that will protect and restore the San Juan County waters of the Puget Sound (and Salish Sea), and expect that integration of efforts on the local, state and federal levels will lead to increased positive impact on this ecosystem. A few of the projects are highlighted on this page with 2014 Action Agenda identification numbers in brackets, and the corresponding regional sub-strategy numbers.
- Vessel Traffic and Oil Spill Prevention
- Shoreline Armoring
- Stormwater and Runoff from the Built Environment
- Freshwater Restoration
The volunteer Islands Oil Spill Association (IOSA) continues to maintain oil spill readiness and response in the San Juan Islands. It receives financial support for response equipment to contain or remove oil spills to the greatest extent possible, and to rescue and rehabilitate affected wildlife. (2014 Action Agenda ID #SJI1; Regional Sub-strategy C8.2.)
The County Derelict Vessel Removal & Prevention Program identifies boats that are likely to sink or otherwise cause water pollution. The program seeks to find and help vessel owners to maintain their boats or remove them from the water. This ongoing action resulted in funding being awarded to SJC to continue this work in 2014. In addition, focused attention from inclusion in the Action Agenda resulted in this San Juan County program being designated a Model Stewardship Program by the Puget Sound Partnership. Funding has been awarded and to develop other prevention programs in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Jefferson and Mason Counties. (Action Agenda ID #SJI4; Regional Sub-strategy C8.1.)
Factsheets
Vessel Drift and Response Analysis Inland Waters Factsheet
Spill Consequence Assessment and ERTV Cost Evaluation Factsheet
Reports
Vessel Drift and Response Analysis Inland Waters Report
Vessel Drift and Response Analysis Final Presentation Webinar
Spill Consequence Assessment and ERTV Cost Evaluation Report
The SJC Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 2 Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery identifies priority habitats for acquisition, conservation, protection, and restoration efforts that benefit salmon such as Puget Sound Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) currently listed under the Endangered Species Act. Shoreline property owners willing to restore areas impacted by armoring will be identified, engaged, and assisted through at least four shoreline restoration projects. (Action Agenda ID# SJI10; Regional Sub-strategy A6.1)
The SJC Department of Community Development is partnering with Green Shores for Homes to develop a voluntary program to provide alternatives and incentives for Best Management Practices that avoid hard armoring and maintain native vegetation near marine shorelines. Landowners, contractors, realty agents, and the public will be engaged through workshops, trainings, and social media. (Action Agenda ID# SJI11; Regional Sub-strategy B2.3)
Since prevention of shoreline armoring is often more effective and less expensive than restoration, the SJC Department of Community Development will provide ongoing technical assistance through pre-application site visits to shoreline permit applicants through its Landowner Incentives to Reduce Puget Sound Shoreline Armory project. (Action Agenda ID# SJI9; Regional Sub-strategy B1.3)
San Juan County (SJC) Department of Community Development and the Town of Friday Harbor are reviewing their permitting processes to better control and mitigate stormwater runoff. In addition, the Town of Friday Harbor will construct a waterfront stormwater vault with DOE-approved cartridge filters. (Action Agenda ID # SJI5; Regional Sub-strategy C2.2.)
The SJC Health Department is also planning to fully implement the Onsite Sewage System Operation and Maintenance Program Plan, requiring county-wide compliance in 100% of sensitive areas, 75% of alternative systems, and 60% of gravity-fed sewer systems over the next two-years. (Action Agenda ID# SJI6; Regional Sub-strategy C5.1)
SJC Public Works and San Juan Islands Conservation District initiated a three-year monitoring program to identify sources of water pollution within three drainage basins. See results of the first two years of monitoring, here. A final year of monitoring is currently underway with plans to implement an annual monitoring plan. (Action Agenda ID#SJI8; Regional Sub-strategy D4.2)
PAST PROJECTS
The San Juan Local Integrating Organization (SJ-LIO) has successfully accomplished the following projects (Near Term Actions):
- San Juan County Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery targeting funding to the highest scoring salmon recovery projects (A.6.1. SJI9);
- Built technical assistance capacity related to compliance with environmental regulation (B1. 3. SJI8);
- Identified areas in need of greater shoreline protection for salmon recovery (B2. 1. SJI10);
- Improved stormwater permit reviewing (C2. 2. SJI3);
- Coordinated Best Management Practices (BMPs) with on-site septic and stormwater systems (C2. 4. SJI5);
- Implemented the County’s on-sight sewage system operation and maintenance program (C5. 1. SJI4);
- Developed a stormwater monitoring program (C2, 4. SJI6);
- Worked with the Island Oil Spill Readiness and Response team (C8. 3. SJI2); and
- Organized and conducted a Marine Manager workshop at the UW Friday Harbor Laboratories (C8. 1. SJI1).