Council Moves To Withdraw Appeal Of ADU Case

The County Council has reversed County direction and instructed the Prosecuting Attorney's office to withdraw the appeal of the Accessory Dwelling Unit case from the Court of Appeals. Chairman Lichter and Councilman Myhr made the decision in an executive session that was held near the end of the regular Council meeting on Tuesday. Councilman Ranker had attended the Tuesday meeting, but indicated to Lichter that he was not feeling well, and did not attend the executive session.

The appeal had been filed by former County Commissioners Evans, Miller, and Neilson, and had asked the Court of Appeals to allow the County to continue to allow detached ADUs ("guest houses"), as long as they met the limiting controls put on them by the county land use codes.

There has not been any indication at the staff meetings or in the regular Council meetings that the Council might vote to withdraw the appeal, and it is not known if somehow Ranker had prior knowledge of the upcoming executive session, but in any case the move by the Council comes as no surprise, given that the current County Council members have continually asked the Court to hold-off on giving a ruling, as they attempted to craft a new policy and set of regulation on ADUs that is more restrictive than the one the Court of Appeals had been asked to rule on.

The new ADU regulations were approved last Friday, by the very same Growth Management Board (GMB) that had found the old regulations to be in compliance, but after the Friends of the San Juans (Councilman Ranker was the Executive Director of the Friends at the time) appealed the regulations to them, the GMB found them to be out of compliance.

The approval of the new regulations will not take effect for a few weeks, as there is still an appeal period, and it is expected that a number of citizens will ask a Superior Court to step in and review the GMB recent ruling on the new regulations. At the Tuesday Council meeting Chairman Lichter asked Assistant Prosecutor Cameron Carter if it was possible that Superior Court would put a "stay" on the GMB ruling that could stop the new regulations from going into effect. Carter replied that he had not researched the subject, and in any case did not know what any of the appeals would state, since none have been filed at this time. At the present time it appears that there may be as many as eight appeals, and some, or all of them, may be combined. (Previous story)

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Canadian groups intervene to save Killer Whales

A Federal Court ruled last Friday that it will grant Canadian environmental groups the right to participate in a lawsuit brought by industry groups. The industry groups are challenging the American government's decision to protect the Southern Resident Orcas as an endangered species. Represented by Sierra Legal, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee and Georgia Strait Alliance will join with their American partners to defend protection of the Southern Resident Orcas – from a uniquely Canadian perspective.

"The Southern Resident Orcas are a transboundary species. Their survival depends on critical habitat on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. Without strong legal protection from both countries, we will condemn these whales to extinction," said Sierra Legal Staff Lawyer Lara Tessaro.
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SWAC Wants More Info From Staff

(Consultants Todd Peterson & Don Kehrer aiding discussion of SWAC meeting)

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) met on Monday to review the input from a well attended open house that had been held earlier in the month Previous story , and to answer general questions on how to handle garbage on San Juan Island. The Committee was unable to resolve the questions of what to do with garbage and recycling on San Juan Island. They did agree they wanted to do something about improving a transfer station, and to encourage recycling, but just where all this was to happen, and in what kind of facility, and how much it would cost, were questions that did not get resolved

If the hope of the County Council was, as SWAC member Tom Munsey informed the Committee "The Council wants you to tell them where to build a transfer station. They do not want to make that decision", then the Council will be disappointed with the results of the meeting.

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ADUs: Questions Still Remain

Last Friday the Growth Management Board (GMB) ruled for the County Council (CC) when it found the County is no longer non-compliant when it comes to where, and how many, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), or "Guest Houses" can be permitted in San Juan County. Previous story & copy of Order Only problem is, there is a raft of legal questions still floating around that either the Courts or the GMA have yet to give guidance to, and there are folks on both sides that are arguing about where the high ground is.

Former SJC Planning Commissioner Jim Nelson states in a Letter to the Editor that the lifting of invalidity by the GMB has left a number of questions unanswered, such as : Can a property owner of rural or resource land have a detached guesthouse and a main house, if they own less than 10 acres? Peg Manning, an attorney and land owner on Orcas stated that "The Board somehow ruled that the new ordinance was enough to lift invalidity but reserved the question of whether it was compliant itself. "

Former County Commissioner John Evans has a submitted a Guest Editorial on the subject, and what it can mean to the San Juan County in terms of both intended. and unintended. Consequences.

Nelson, Manning and John Evans expect the Board's decision will be appealed to the local Superior Court. In the meantime there is still the question of how the GMB will view the recently passed so-called "Vesting Ordinance", (Previous story) that was recently passed by the CC in an attempt to address the problem of those land owners who built a small guest house in anticipation of later building a main residence, and then found that overnight the "guest house" had legally become their "main house". There is a hearing before the GMB on that in November.

And there is the problem of that original ADU case the former Board of County Commissioners had appealed to the Court of Appeals. The current County Council keeps asking the Court to hold-off on a making a ruling, and so far the Court has granted all of the CC requests for extensions, but it could soon rule on the appeal. Peg Manning states "while the Council and FSJ may try to get it dismissed, the Council is on record (via Prosecuting Attorney) saying that lifting invalidity will not moot the appeal.". According to Manning, if the CC does try to have the case dismissed, " We are preparing a major brief in opposition to any such action" If the Court does rule, and depending on the decision, the ruling could negate or reverse some, or all, of the Growth Management Boards rulings on the ADU issue.


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Fair Rides Go Down, No Refunds

( Thalya Harvey and son Corbin ask for refund)

Children -who paid $15.00 for a bracelet that would allow them unlimited rides at the Fair until 5 p.m.- were disappointed Saturday, when a series of brake-downs of three of the mechanical rides resulted in little to do, disappointment, and then some anger and frustration from adults when their children were refused re-funds. Thalya Harvey and son Corbin told the Guardian that they waited for two hours for a ride, and after giving up they asked for a refund and were told "We don't give refunds".

(Photo: "Cork Man", on display at the Trash To Treasures booth)
Other adults heard about the problem from of the children. Some of them went over to the ticket booth and confronted the operators, demanding that some refunds be made, or at least the deadline of five o'clock be extended for the use of the tickets so that if the rides could be started again, any of the kids willing to hang around could still use their passes. This also was refused.

Scott Bell was one those involved, in what was starting to become a heated conversation, when Fair Board members showed up, and according to Bell, told him he was out of line and had to leave the Fair Grounds. Bell said he told the Fair Board representatives that "While you're standing here lecturing me, they are right now continuing to sell $15.00 bracelets for rides that are not working. How about directing some of that advise on them!".

This was just before Bell was to start another round of the locally famous zucchini Races that he runs, so with the head Zucchini now thrown off of the Fairgrounds, the problem for the kids was about to go from bad to worst. Bell said about this time Fair Board member Sharon Kivisto turned things around by telling the Fair Office that no Mr. Bell, means no more Zucchini races. Bell said she put things back into perspective, and it was decided that Bell did not have to leave, the Races could continue, and the deadline for the use of the $15.00 bracelets would be extended to 8 pm. Back to having fun at the Fair.


Two kids that found some rides at the Fair are free.


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SJC Fair Management Wins Award

(San Juan County Fair Board Chair Brad Fincher and Fair Manager Christine Miller accept the award from State Fair Judge Bob Carlson)
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State Fair Judge Bob Carlson awarded San Juan County Fair a Black and White Award for Fair Management. "This is such a nice fair. There is such enthusiasm with the focus on the 100-year celebration. I'm awarding this ribbon to the people who put this fair together," he said.

The rearranging of the main building was one of the highlights according to Carlson "Everybody loves it," he said.

Christine Miller is the manager of the fair, Rev Shannon is the production manager, Shel Bedsol is the grounds supervisor. Fair board members are Doug Bison, Catherine Eggenberger, Terry Evans, Brad Fincher, Chair, Sharon Kivisto, Dan Seaton, Bert Vinson andSandy Wyllie-Echeverria


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BREAKING NEWS GMA Rules In Favor Of CC

The Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board has ruled in favor of the County Council Ordinance on Accessory Dwelling Units. You may read the entire Order here:
Order Lifting Invalidity.doc (126k file)
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Town & County Agree On Capron Funds Split

Both the Town & County Councils have signed an "Interlocal Agreement" that provides for a return to the previous percentage split system used to split the Capron funds between the Town and the County. Under the agreement, the Town will once again receive a fixed percentage of 10% to the Town, and 90% retained by the County.

As most citizens in San Juan County know, the so-called Capron funds are fuel tax generated funds that are collected by the State, and then returned to San Juan County to be used to offset the expense of county roads. The County and the Town receive these funds, because the money that the State Collects is ostensibly to be used for state highways, and since we have none in San Juan County, the money is returned to the County, "and any incorporated city or town within the county based on the percentage of assessed valuation.."

A problem arose in the distribution system due to the four year valuation cycle, which at the end of the cycle sometimes resulted in the Town receiving too much money. The new system will allow a "greater predictability in the budgeting process" since it will not be "subject to the distribution anomalies established in the four year valuation cycle".

There is a clause in the agreement that the "Capron Funds shall be strictly used and accounted for in the development and maintenance of public roads."


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Recent County Council Appointments

The County Council has recently appointed the following citizens to County Boards:
Reappointed Cloud McCauley to the SJC Parks Board as representative of San Juan Island to a six-year term beginning immediately and expiring June 30, 2012; and appointed Lola Deane to the SJC Board of Health as an At Large representative.


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Council To Decide Who May Bypass On Appeal

When the Freeholders reviewed the duties and authority of the former Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), they decided that if someone believes they have been improperly denied an application by the Hearing Examiner, and as a result, wishes to file an appeal, they "may choose to bypass review by the Legislative Body and seek direct review with the court or other tribunal as provided by law".

Under the old BOCC rules, the unhappy applicant (the "appellant") had to first make his case to the BOCC, and then could go on to Court. Under the Charter, the appellant had the choice of going to the County Council (CC), or going to Court. This raised the question in the minds of some, including the CC, "What happens when there is more than one party involved?" Can one person exercise his right to bypass the CC by going to Court result in the forcing of others to be denied the right to have the case first heard by the CC? The answer from the Prosecuting Attorney's office was "Yes"

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The Fair Has Something For Everyone

A fine arts lesson, complete with paint and artist; and a place to sit as you listen and learn.


At the Written Word fair booth in the Main Building a future young writer converses with The Island Guardian's own columnist Amy Wynn.

In the meantime, Tom Munsey (below) mans the Green Party table, resting after he and County Councilman Chair Alan Lichter were interviewed at the Fair by Channel 5 News about a resolution Lichter and Munsey have been promoting to the County Council, asking Ranker and Myhr to vote to hold an advisory ballot measure election that would direct the US to withdraw from Iraq. Watch for it on TV.



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Council To Move To Carlson Building

(County Council meets at Islanders Bank to discuss space needs)

Perhaps having to once again surrender the County Council meeting room to District Court for a trial, or maybe the elected officials and employees were finally convincing in their arguments, but for whatever reason, the Council finally, and unexpectedly, took action on Tuesday to address the need for new, and more, office space for county government.

In a unanimous vote, the Council decided to move the Council and the County Administrator's offices to the newly acquired Carlson building, and directed the County Administrator to form a committee of county officials to bring a recommendation to the Council, as to who else should move to the new building. Chairman Lichter stated that he was also in favor of Administrator Pete Rose's idea of constructing a new Council Hearing Room that could "serve as a community hub".

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Who Are The "Trash Masters"?

By David Dehlendorf

Trash Masters is a group of 27 dedicated volunteers who collect litter along Roche Harbor Rd. on the third Thursday of each month. (They do not work in July and August when the Public Works hires youths to clean all county roads.) Formed in March 2005, Trash Masters has to-date collected approximately 3,100 lbs. of litter from our island's busiest and dirtiest road. Most of the Trash Masters were previously active in picking up trash when walking in their own neighborhoods. However, in early 2005 they decided to also attack the problem on Roche Harbor Rd. after observing the increasing amount of litter while driving to and from Friday Harbor.



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M/V Yakima delayed, But Good To Go

The Yakima has been repaired and completed sea trials. However, the 4:30 am departure from Anacortes to Friday Harbor was delayed by 45 minutes making the 6:00 am departure from Friday Harbor to Lopez and Anacortes delayed by 45 minutes as well.
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County Council Appointments

The Council has made the following appointments:
Appointed to the newly formed Board of Health: Dr. Betty S. Gilson, and Barbara Fleming, as At Large representatives, and based upon a recommendation from Mayor David Jones, Howard Rosenfeld was appointed as the representative for the Town of Friday Harbor.

The CC also reappointed Al Wilding to the SJC Civil Service Commission, and reappointed Amanda Azous to the Noxious Weed Control Board


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A Century of Harvest: SJ C Agriculture Tent

Come celebrate the San Juan County Fair centennial at the SJC Agriculture Tent! . It all starts on Wednesday, the 16th at the Fair.

This year's featured presenters are former San Juan Island chef, Greg Atkinson (Friday August 18 at 11:00am), and Congressman Rick Larsen (Saturday, August 19 at 1:30pm), who is a member of the House Agriculture Committee,.

The SJC Agriculture Tent exhibits will include a 100-year agricultural timeline of San Juan County, current events and economic data, and a display of local agricultural products. Additional presentations include Cooking Grass-Fed Meat with Tim Barrette & Laurie Paul from The Market Chef, A Century of Farming in San Juan County with Boyd C. Pratt, Fruit Tree Pruning Demonstration with Mark Thompson-Klein, and more!

Come celebrate A Century of Harvest at the SJC Agriculture Tent!

Full Schedule follows below::


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Obituary for "Henry The Burrow"

(Henry with Willy Cavanaugh -Henry is the one without the hat...)

It is not just people who perform a public service, sometimes animals get into the act as well. Point in case is "Henry The Burrow". For years Henry was available to perform in the San Juan Island Christmas Passada, playing the part of, well, a burrow.

At other times he was called on for less glamorous roles, such as being a fill-in at the San Juan County Fair. According to Don Galt Sr., "One year, the San Juan County Fair rides for the kids did not arrive, and Henry stepped up to the plate and gave the island's children rides so they wouldn't be disappointed.

Don relates that another Fair moment came when "One year Henry & his partner, the infamous Willy Cavanaugh, entered the fourth of July parade in Friday Harbor and won a special award for their participation.
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"Henry" was about 30 years old when he passed on to greener pastures.

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Look For Spartina Drift Cards - New Project Underway

(Map of 2005 Spartina infestation in San Juan County)

In 2005, Washington State Agriculture (WSDA) crews conducted fairly extensive shoreline surveys of San Juan County. During this survey new infestations were discovered at Spencer Spit and Mud Bay. The Spencer Spit infestation was treated entirely with herbicide in cooperation with State Parks, and the Mud Bay infestation was completely dug out (Previous story) by the San Juan County Noxious Weed Control Board.

Through next May, 600 cards will be launched each month from sites in Washington and Canada to determine where tides and currents take them. Launch sites in the U.S. are at South Skagit Bay in Snohomish County; Livingston Bay in Island County; and Turners Cove in Skagit County. Three additional sites are in Canada.

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DNR Forest Health Meeting: Mt. Vernon

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that the Forest Health Strategies Working Group is holding a series of public meetings about forest health. The meetings will be conducted from August 14 through 31 in eight different locations throughout the state.
On August 30 - 6:30 pm there will be a meeting in Mt. Vernon at Best Western Cottontree Inn, 2300 Market Pl.


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Head Start Accepting Applications for Enrollment

Skagit Valley College Skagit/Islands Head Start in Friday Harbor, is currently taking applications for its early childhood and family support program for children birth to five and for expectant mothers. Services include preschool classes for 3- to 5-year-olds and home visit services and play groups for birth to 5-year-olds and expectant mothers. Head Start also provides service to children with disabilities. For information and an application, call (360) 416-7590.
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SWAC To Public: Four Options For Garbage

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) held a public meeting last night (Thursday, Aug 10) to present four options to the public, and ask them to vote on which one they preferred. The options are the result of three SWAC meetings on the subject -that were lightly attended by a few members of the general public who have an interest in garbage, and had the time to attend the daytime meetings- that were designed to come up with a recommendation to the County Council, on how best to handle solid waste on San Juan Island.

The four options (emphasis added) presented at the meeting were:

1. A new transfer station located on usable property owned by the Town of Friday Harbor, ( adjacent to the closed landfill) that accepts large commercially hauled waste as well as residential waste collected by mandatory curbside collection of garbage and possibly mandatory curbside collection of recyclables

2. A new transfer station, built at a new site, that accepts commercially hauled waste and residential waste collected by mandatory curbside collection of garbage and possibly mandatory curbside collection of recyclables

3. A new transfer station located somewhere on land adjacent to the Town's landfill property, that accepts self-hauled residential waste and commercially hauled waste with curbside garbage collection available by choice.

4. A new transfer station, built at a new site that accepts self-hauled residential waste and commercially hauled waste with curbside garbage collection available by choice. This site could have extensive facilities for recycling and reuse.

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EDITORIAL

The Bigger Question Is Not Trash
TONIGHT, from 7 pm to 9 pm Is the night for San Juan Island residents to express their preference on how the County will manage trash. SWAC and other citizens have been working through what they believe are the priority of options, and now want more input on the tentative draft recommendations ( Previous story ) they will soon make to the County Council

The two top options being considered for possible recommendations to the County Council (who will hold their own public hearings) fall into two areas: Who should transport household trash, and where does it go?

● Do we continue, as we have, with curbside pick-up available to those willing to pay for it, while allowing homeowners and commercial business the pleasure of making a "dump-run", or do we go with one of the other options up for discussion tonight:

● Do we provide so called curb-side pick-up to all, and all pay a fee (set by the State Utility Commission) for the service, while still allowing self-delivery of trash to the dump; or

● Do we limit self-delivery only to commercial haulers and businesses?

● Or some other combination of possibilities?

The related, and potentially expensive part of how garbage is handled is the question: Where does it go, no matter how it gets there? The decision made on this may have greater impacts on cost for the County as a whole, then who hauls what. Some in the community believe the driving force behind the discussion is the desire of the County to build a new modern transfer station on the land the County purchased last year on San Juan Island ( Previous story ), and a perceived lack of will on the part of Public Works to address some of the real problems with the current transfer site.

Public Works maintains the site has always been inadequate, dangerous, and simply will not provide a facility necessary to properly, safely and efficiently serve as a transfer station. If the use of a transfer station is open to all, does the County have to build a new facility on the now un-used land they purchased on San Juan Island? And if so, how much will that cost (the original land cost was 1.8 million for 27 acres) to build and run? And will the money spent mean the County will not be able to proceed on any of the other pressing needs facing the County?

The County purchased the land on San Juan Island for use by Public Works, but without any clearly stated decision as to what will become of it, and they recently did the same with the purchase of the old LaFarge gravel pit (which they gave to the SJI Rec), and the associated beach, that were not sure what it may be used for, or if the fill from the gravel pit that made it will simply wash away over the years. The Council is currently in the middle of a discussion of what should the long term plan for the Carlson property look like. They purchased that property for around 1.75 million (and may decide to tear it down it in 5 or 10 years in order to build a new modern building; but then again maybe not).

While the Consultant hired to run the show tonight is charged only with dealing with the question of how solid waste is handled on San Juan Island, one can only hope the bigger question of how a decision made on this subject, may effect other decisions yet to be made by the County Council, will not be far from the mind of the citizens who do their civic duty tonight by asking questions, and give advice and consent to SWAC members, who in turn will soon make a recommendation to our decision makers at the County Council level.

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Maybe Next Week For Courthouse Decision?

( Gene Knapp gives input to Council on office space for Council members - County Administrator in background)

The County Council continued on Tuesday to discuss how space in the Courthouse, and the newly purchased Carlson Building, should be remodeled, and which departments should be in which building; but once again they were unable to come to a decision, putting off further discussion until next week when they will review additional information on past studies and future funding options. (Past story)

Chairman Lichter was ready to move on the project, and early on put forth his opinion that in the short-run the Council offices be slightly remodeled, and three new offices for the incoming Council members be constructed in the space now used by the Prosecuting Attorney, who would have his offices, and the Law Library, moved to the Carlson Building; and he also suggested the County Administrator and his staff be moved there as well. He suggested a remodel of the current Council Hearing room so that both the Council and District Court could use it.

But Myhr and Ranker were cautious to move too quickly, given the unknowns of future budget demands, and the lack of a firm plan as to how, and If, a new building could be constructed in the future; and if so, how far out was the future?. Both of the Councilmen were concerned with where the money was to come from if the Council decided to do a major remodel of one or both buildings, or they made minor modifications now with an eye to a future tear-down of the Carlson Building for the construction of a new administrative building.

Lichter had at the beginning of the meeting once again stated that "I think we have had sufficient comment from the elected officials to allow us to make a decision, but if anyone does have anything to add that is new, they may say so now". There was little comment, other than a recommendation from Orcas attorney, and former County Prosecutor Gene Knapp, (who is assumed to be one of the next Councilmen, since he is running un-opposed for the office) that the Council consider having an open office with cubical office space for the full six member Council. The idea was rejected by Ranker and Lichter, but found some encouragement from Myhr, who said he had worked in such an environment in the corporate world, and had found it to be acceptable.

Later on in the meeting, Ranker asked Public Works Director Jon Shannon for his input, and showing some exasperation, Shannon told the Council that they are not going to see the light at the end of "this tunnel" by worrying about the money, "A policy decision can be made by you without a hang-up on money. Funding is the easy part". Both Shannon and newly hired County Administrator Pete Rose advised the Council that once they made a policy decision, the staff would set in motion a process to make it happen. Shannon said it is a matter of priorities, and that "I guarantee there are enough smart people (in government) to make it happen".

When Shannon responded to a statement by Ranker that the Council may wish to receive the results of an advisory ballot vote, by telling the Council that going for voter approval to construct a new building would not be successful, and that the Council should use other funding sources to make it happen, Councilman Myhr leaned forward and advised Shannon to "review that view", asking "How will the community feel if we go forward with a building that they do not want"? and that "It is important to work with the community to have their support". Shannon agreed on the need to have community support, but pointed out that if the voters approve a new administration building, "it would be the first time it happened in the State of Washington".

The dialog between Shannon and Myhr generated apparent additional disagreement between Lichter and Ranker when Lichter said he would "Respectfully remind all of you" that since the Freeholders had in part "sold" the voters on passage of the Charter on the proposition it would be. revenue neutral, and now we are told it is going add $337,000.00 to the budget, "I would suggest this is a very bad moment in the history of this county". But Ranker said "It is our Charter… and there are some real opportunities for the future. We have some flexibility within the Charter".

Ranker then moved back on point and asked staff if "we have information from the old studies that is still good"? This caused Court Clerk Mary Jean Cahail to state that "I feel frustrated. The County has had a long-range plan, and we have spent hundred of thousands of dollars on studies, and all the departments are still maxed out… it is totally amazing to me that nothing has been done! We need to bite the bullet and do something"!

The Council will take up the matter again on Monday and Tuesday of next week.

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Town Offers Dustpans & Brooms To Businesses

Friday Harbor Mayor Jones has made an offer to provide long-handled dustpans -with brooms- to any business in town as a symbol of the Town's support of efforts to keep the streets clean, and as a show of support for the "Clean Up" program that has been started by those local businesses that have come together as the Downtown Forum to address issues of concern.

According to Debbie Pigman, Executive Director. SJI Chamber of Commerce, "it was the consensus of the Forum, after it's first discussion of litter on sidewalks and curbs, that the first action would be to encourage each business to take responsibility for keeping their storefront clean....we delivered a flyer "Sweep in Business - Clean storefronts attract more traffic, opening the door for increased revenue!". The flyer was well received. The members of the forum gave Mayor Jones a ‘thumbs up' to go ahead with the idea and commended the town on this cooperative effort as part of the big process of addressing and solving the issues of litter in Friday Harbor".

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8th Annual Steve Braun Memorial Triathlon

the Orcas Island Recreation Program wants you to know that early registration is now in progress for the annual Steve Braun Memorial Triathlon September 3rd.

Individuals can participate in one, two, or three parts of the triathlon. Perhaps you would like to participate as a team. We encourage people of all ages to join in any portion of this good-spirited annual event. This is a comfortable and fun triathlon open to serious triathletes and those who want to challenge themselves to enjoy completing the course.

Read more in LIFESTYLES.
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Recent County Council Appointments

At the county level, and on the recommendation of the SJC Marine Resources Committee (MRC), the County Council has appointed Michael Ahrenius to represent the Port of Friday Harbor. On Orcas, the Council appointed Allan Adler to the Library Board of Trustees; as had been recommended by the Library Board.
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Curb-Side, or Self-Haul: Input Is Wanted

Public Works (Public Works), SWAC (Solid Waste Advisory Council) and a professional Consultant have been working though the problem of how to handle solid waste in San Juan County. But other than a handful of interested citizens who have attended some of the meetings, there has been very little general public input on the subject. On Thursday, August 10th, from 7 to 9 pm there is an Open House for community input at the Mullis Center in Friday Harbor. in which two main questions are to be asked:

• What does the San Juan Island community want in its solid waste management system?
• What recommendation should the Solid Waste Advisory Committee deliver to the San Juan County Council concerning managing San Juan Island's solid waste?
The public is invited to help answer these questions. Another big question is the first one that needs an answer, and that is who takes the trash to wherever it goes to. At a recent CC (County Council) meeting, the Council told Public Works that they hoped SWAC would be able to make a decision if self-haul or curb-side pick-up, should be how trash gets to a disposal site. If self-haul is chosen, that would foreclose any hope by some that the County would send all solid waste directly off island.

SWAC member Tom Munsey told the Council that regardless of who hauls the garbage, it was his opinion that there will be a transfer station on San Juan Island, but that it may not be at the same location as the current one. One of the early questions that generated some comments from the public was: Should garbage be processed on San Juan or Orcas, or should it go directly to the mainland; which is it's ultimate destination since it is no longer feasible to have a land fill in San Juan County.

The Council has stressed the importance of the public being aware of the direction the discussion has taken, and PW has stated there will be an information booth at the County Fair this year, and it is expected there will be both an opportunity for the public to learn more about the solid waste issue, and to also be able to register an opinion that will be carried on into future discussions by the SWAC. Once the SWAC has decided on a recommendation, it will forwarded it to the County Council.

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Town Buys Solar Powered Circulators For Lake

(Example of Solar Bee circulators -Solar Bee photo)

Trout Lake on San Juan Island has had a problem over the years with algae blooms -and other problems associated with a lack of oxygen in water- and this has resulted in some impacts on the quality of the water that is the drinking water source for the Town of Friday Harbor. At the Thursday Town Council meeting, the Council voted to purchase three floating solar powered circulators, at a cost of $45.000.00 each, to try and solve the problem.

The units are made by Solar Bee, and are unique in that they rely on sunlight to provide power to on-board batteries to power the units that float on the surface and circulate the lake water. The batteries can store up enough energy from six hours of sunlight to provide eighteen hours of run time. Town Councilman Howie Rosenfield asked if the units could receive adequate solar exposure, given our northern latitude, and was informed by the Town staff that there are units operating at capacity in Canada, and that the units can also generate a charge to the batteries even under a light cloud cover.

According to Solar Bee, the units can eliminate blue-green algae blooms by introducing oxygen into the water, and also are capable of helping to prevent the release of hydrogen sulfide and other problematic materials that can have a negative effect on water used as a source for drinking water.


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