Sea Level Rise on Lopez Island to be Discussed Thu., Apr. 25
San Juan County’s Public Works and Environmental Stewardship Departments are inviting MacKaye Harbor area property owners and Lopez Island community members to a meeting about sea level rise adaptation and infrastructure resiliency work. This meeting will interest all residents with a stake in coastal erosion adaptation projects, especially those with property in the MacKaye Harbor area / South Lopez.
This public meeting will be held Thursday, April 25 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Lopez Island Grange, 452 Richardson Rd on Lopez Island.
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 on the project’s Engage page via 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. Learn more about the project here: https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/sea-level-rise-adaptation-outer-bay-and-agate-beach-areas-lopez-island
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.