Did you know the future of our islands is being decided right now? The Comprehensive Plans for San Juan County and the Town of Friday Harbor are being updated—and your voice can shape what comes next!
Ready to get involved? Together, we can ensure that the San Juan Islands remain where nature thrives, communities flourish, and resilience defines our path forward.
What Are Comprehensive Plans?
Think of them as a roadmap for our community’s future. These plans set long-term goals to manage growth while protecting what makes our islands special: clean water, healthy ecosystems, thriving agriculture, and lush forests. Over time, these goals become laws and actions that shape everyday life in San Juan County.
This year, there’s a game-changing addition. A Climate Element is included in both plans for the first time. This is our chance to embed climate action into the heart of future planning.
The County’s Review Process and Schedule
This update is moving very fast, as they intend to be done by June 30, 2025! San Juan County’s Planning Commission will review draft amendments to each element at their monthly meetings. They have already reviewed Land Use, Governance, Water Resources, and Historic and Archaeologic Preservation.
The public is welcome to speak and share their input at any of the following meetings during the “Public Access Time” at the beginning of each meeting. Learn more about attending meetings and submitting written comments here.
- Friday, February 21: Housing, Economic Vitality, Capital Facilities, and Utilities Elements.
- Friday, March 21: Climate and Official Map Updates
- Friday, April 18: Transportation, Town/County Joint Planning Policies, Administration
- Friday, May 16: Full Review of updates
- June (TBD): San Juan County Council hearings
Time to Take Action!
Friends’ legal, policy, and science experts are analyzing, reviewing, and commenting on the proposed changes to the Comp Plan to protect the islands’ natural resources and communities. But we can’t do this alone. This is YOUR chance to ensure these plans reflect your values and needs.
Here’s what you can do:
- Check out San Juan County’s Guide to Getting Involved in the Comprehensive Plan Update in English and Spanish
- Subscribe to updates so you know when agendas and materials are shared: San Juan County Notices.
- Visit San Juan County’s project website, look on the right side for reports and drafts. Comprehensive Plan Update.
- Join Friends’ Executive Director for ‘What If Strategy Conversations’ related to the Comp Plan updates and Climate Element. Email [email protected] for more info!
Upcoming Events—Community Voices Campaign
We need all voices to contribute to our Comp Plan processes. This fundamental belief was what Friends of the San Juans was founded on—island residents coming together to inform our future through the comp plan process. We continue now, 45 years later, so that we can plan for the next 45 years thoughtfully in our protection of the islands and our island communities.
With support from the Washington Department of Commerce, Friends has teamed up with the Joyce L Sobel Family Resource Center, the Orcas Community Resource Center, the Lopez Island Family Resource Center, and the Madrona Institute to support the following activities:
- Family Resource Center Workshops: Through January and February we’re partnering with local Family Resource Centers on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands to connect with underrepresented communities. Our Executive Director, Eva Schulte, will lead training and engagement sessions. Additional sessions may be available on Shaw and Waldron Islands. If you are interested in learning more about these sessions, email [email protected].
- Compass Climate Workshops: We’re teaming up with the Madrona Institute to introduce Compass, an exciting workshop based on the globally popular game Climate Fresk. This interactive experience is customized for our islands, helping participants explore climate challenges and solutions. Stay tuned for more details on when you can play to plan for climate action!
Why Your Voice Matters
Every idea, every concern, and every hope for the future counts. Comprehensive planning isn’t just a policy—it’s a chance to ensure that future generations can enjoy these islands’ unique beauty and community spirit.
