09/23/2009: "PC Special Meeting On County Wide Barge Landings"

While it may seem like all the news about new shoreline regulations have to do with protection, there are other concerns in the works that override such concerns: barge landings.

The SJC Planning Commission will hold a special meeting Wednesday to take public testimony, and may enter into deliberations on “proposed amendments to the San Juan County Comprehensive Plan & Development Code Policies & Regulations for Shoreline Essential Public Facilities;” including, but limited to an “Update & clarification of associated terms, procedures and requirements.”

The hearing is the next step in a long journey by the County to change the land use classifications of eleven shoreline properties that the County, in general, and Public Works in particular, want to use as, among other things, barge landings. The blanket term at work here is “Essential Public Facilities.”

The Draft Ordinance(242\k file) is aimed at those shoreline areas that are currently protected, but under the proposed changes will allow non-conforming uses, and new uses, of those shorelines (and the associated uplands) to be turned into “allowed uses.”

The proposed changes have already been reviewed by DOE (Department of Ecology), and contrary to DOE’s on-going recommendations for large buffers to protect the shoreline, they have made numerous suggestions on the County proposal on how to received approval from DOE for changing some land use designations designed to protect the shoreline to designations that allow commercial use.

Opponents to the proposal have spent tens of thousands -if not more- dollars to obtain full disclosure, and for legal actions, to protect land against the County’s efforts to open it up to commercial and industrial/commercial use.

Some of the shoreline have documented habitat areas that would, in other cases (e.g. private use) be fully protected from development or use.

On the other side of the push, is the view that without allowing additional barge landings in the county, it will continue to be expensive to get materials -both for public and private use- to the county; and will be even more costly and difficult when ferry docks are out of commission -or in the case of the outer islands, where there is no ferry service.

The Planning Commission will hold the Public Hearing starting at 8:45 A.M. in the County Council Hearing Room, Legislative Building, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor. The hearing is the only matter scheduled to be heard.

Some of the areas targeted for land use change are the following:

Barge Landing and Facility on former LaFarge property, San Juan Island.
It will be used by Public Works and private companies to barge in sand and gravel needed for roads and for the commercial production of concrete by the private sector; as well as businesses and private parties. This upland and shoreline site is designated Rural Farm Forest, but the shoreline north of it is a “Conservancy” designation (which is the most restrictive protection within which only the most limited use is now allowed) and to the south the shoreline is “Natural”, which is the most protected land in the county.

Obstruction Pass on Orcas
Barge landing site. All gasoline and propane coming to Orcas Island current lands here. Designation is Rural.

Reid Harbor Ramp on Stuart.
This facility is located at a County road end also on Stuart Island. It is adjacent to a State marine park, the area is sparsely developed and it too is currently designated Conservation.

Prevost Harbor Dock and Float on Stuart Island.
Existing dock and a County road end. Stuart Island is a non-ferry served island. The area is sparsely developed and designated Rural Farm Forest.

Odlin Park Dock, Float and Ramp on Lopez.
A County Park dock used for recreational and commercial purposes and for barging materials to the island. It is also designated a Conservancy area.

Weeks Point Way Marine Landing Site and Parking Area on Lopez
A facility located in a residential area. It is used to transport houses to and from the island, and to launch kayaks. The shoreline is Conservancy, land Rural Residential.

Hunter Bay Dock, Float and Ramp on Lopez
Also used for residential and commercial purposes The shoreline designation is Rural Residential.

Mckaye gravel pit, boat ramp and float on Lopez.
Used by County and private sector to import sand and gravel. designation is Conservancy & Rural Farm Forest.

Cowlitz Bay dock, ramp and marine landing site on Waldron.
Publicly owned access used to remove and bring in vehicles and supplies, fuel and propane. It is also used to launch small boats. Rural Farm Forest.

Neck Point landing site on Shaw.
Used as a landing site. Rural Farm Forest.

Hermitage Ramp on Decatur.
Publicly owned access for landings. Designation is Rural Farm Forest.

After the Planning Commission submits their report to the County Council, there will be an additional public hearing(s); and DOE will formally review any county approved ordinance for compliance with state DOE regulations. And, of course, there will be an appeal period.