Sea Level Rise Resources for San Juan County

Friends of the San Juans helps landowners and land use professionals understand shoreline management options. Through site-specific technical assistance, Friends can help you protect property and maintain important ecological resources such as water quality and wildlife habitat.

For information about your shoreline property, site specific maps, and to see if you qualify for a site visit, email [email protected]. Friends of the San Juans can also assist with restoration, adaptation, and protection project development.

Community Sea Level Rise Workshop Survey Results:

As part of informational workshops hosted by Friends with WA Sea Grant and Coastal Geologic Services, interactive surveys were conducted. 174 workshop attendees participated in the surveys. Results are provided countywide (compiled from each workshop) as well as by each island/workshop.

June 2017 Shifting Shorelines Workshop Presentations:

Lopez Island Materials:

Fun Facts about Shorelines in the Islands, by Friends of the San Juans
The Science of Sea Level Rise and What’s Likely for our Community, by WA Sea Grant
How Local Shoreline Types Will Respond to Sea Level Rise & Local Vulnerability Mapping and Adaptation Strategies that Work, by Coastal Geologic Services
Examples of Local Shoreline Adaptation Projects Already Completed or Underway, by Friends of the San Juans

Orcas Island Materials:

Fun Facts about Shorelines in the Islands, by Friends of the San Juans
The Science of Sea Level Rise and What’s Likely for our Community, by WA Sea Grant
How Local Shoreline Types Will Respond to Sea Level Rise & Local Vulnerability Mapping and Adaptation Strategies that Work, by Coastal Geologic Services
Examples of Local Shoreline Adaptation Projects Already Completed or Underway, by Friends of the San Juans

San Juan Island Materials:

Fun Facts about Shorelines in the Islands, by Friends of the San Juans
The Science of Sea Level Rise and What’s Likely for our Community, by WA Sea Grant
How Local Shoreline Types Will Respond to Sea Level Rise & Local Vulnerability Mapping and Adaptation Strategies that Work, by Coastal Geologic Services
Examples of Local Shoreline Adaptation Projects Already Completed or Underway, by Friends of the San Juans

Information for waterfront property owners:

Living with the Shoreline – A stewardship guide for property owners in the San Juan Islands
Friends of the San Juans recently worked with Coastal Geologic Services to investigate feasible alternatives for coastal property owners dealing with sea level rise in San Juan County. Click here to see the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Cost-benefit Analysis Case Study Report.
Planning for the Future: Benefits of Beach Restoration Video

Research:

Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Research

Friends partnered with coastal scientists to develop a countywide evaluation and mapping of the infrastructure, developments, and habitats that are vulnerable to increased erosion and flooding from rising sea levels. Results are being used by public and private property owners and communities to increase resiliency.

Executive Summary: Friends of the San Juans. 2014. Healthy Beaches for People and Fish: Protecting shorelines from the impacts of armoring today and rising seas tomorrow. Final Report to WDFW and the U.S. EPA. Friday Harbor, Washington.

Sea Level Rise Policy Analysis: Loring, K. 2013. Addressing Sea Level Rise and Cumulative Ecological Impacts in San Juan County Washington – Through Improved Implementation and Effective Amendment of Local, State, and Federal Laws. Friends of the San Juans.Friday Harbor, Washington.

Erosion and Flood Vulnerability Report: MacLennan, A., J. Waggoner and J. Johannessen. 2013. Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment for San Juan County, Washington. Prepared by Coastal Geologic Services for Friends of the San Juans.

For site specific information please contact Friends of the San Juans at 360-378-2319.

Forage Fish Habitat Vulnerability: Whitman, T., D. Penttila, K. Krueger, P. Dionne, K. Pierce, Jr. and T. Quinn. 2014. Tidal elevation of surf smelt spawn habitat study for San Juan County Washington. Friends of the San Juans, Salish Sea Biological and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Sea Level Rise coarse-scale “Bathtub” Maps