Other News
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Nov 1, 2024: UPDATE: Sea Wall Repairs Temporarily Close MacKaye Harbor Dock and Boat Ramp on Lopez Island
Oct 22, 2024: DRAFT North Shore Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Oct 21, 2024: Reminder: You’re Invited to Attend Open Houses for the 2025 Comp Plan Update This Fall
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Sep 24, 2024: SJC Reviews Shoreline Habitat & Infrastructure Adaptation Strategies in the face of Sea Level Rise
Sep 23, 2024: DRAFT Watmough Bay Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
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Aug 27, 2024: 2024 San Juan County WSU Master Gardeners Gardening Workshop Series, October 15-24, 2024
Aug 27, 2024: County Representatives Discuss Solutions to Ferry Service Disruptions with Governor Inslee
Aug 21, 2024: County Council’s Request to Governor for Relief from Ferry Service Disruptions Not Fulfilled
Aug 20, 2024: San Juan County Certifies Primary Election Results & Celebrates Highest Primary Turnout in Years
Aug 13, 2024: WSF Commits Additional Crews to Interisland Route to Ensure Service During County Fair Week
Aug 13, 2024: Ferry Data from Staff and Local Partners Shapes Council Request for ‘Executive Relief’ From WA State
Aug 5, 2024: The Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival returns to Lopez for its 27th Summer Concert Season
May 2, 2024: WA State Governor and Assistant Secretary of WSF Talk Ferry Service & Solar Power with SJC Officials
Apr 11, 2024: Community Meeting: Sea Level Rise Adaptation for Outer Bay and Agate Beach Areas on Lopez Island
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Mar 7, 2024: DRAFT Richardson Marsh Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Dec 5, 2023: County Council Member Jane Fuller and Senator Liz Lovelett to Host Public Meeting on Lopez
Nov 3, 2023: County and Town Send Open Letter to State Officials Regarding Impacts of Poor Ferry Service
Sep 29, 2023: Conservation Land Bank Announces Special Meeting to Discuss Watmough Bay Preserve Addition
Sep 14, 2023: The mobile dental van is coming to Lopez! // ¡La camioneta dental móvil ya llega a López!
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May 25, 2023: Recap of Lopez Neighborhood Meeting Regarding the Relocation of Public Works Facilities
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Apr 17, 2023: Give Lopez Starts April 17th - A two week fundraiser benefiting 15 Lopez Island Non-Profits
Sep 22, 2022: Interim Watmough Preserve Addition Stewardship and Management Plan Now Open for Public Comment
Emergency funding for San Juan Island transportation service
Sep 19, 2024
By Gov. Jay Inslee
During a meeting with San Juan Island leaders, residents and businesses today, Gov. Jay Inslee announced he is issuing $1.5 million in emergency and short-term funding to restore critical ferry transportation networks throughout the San Juan Islands.
Due to crewing challenges, the Interisland route has been the least reliable in the system, causing serious life and safety issues for San Juan Islands’ residents and service providers.
The most recent data shows that Washington State Ferries only completed 81% of its scheduled Interisland sailings with an average on-time performance of 41%. Cancellations are primarily due to crew shortages.
WSF routinely completes 95% or more of its scheduled sailings throughout the rest of its system.
"We have been making steady progress on restoring service throughout our ferry system, but that progress has yet to reach these islands," Inslee said. "The unique challenges facing the Interisland route are simply untenable and create real risks for residents. Medical emergencies don’t wait until Monday. Parents need to know their children won’t be stranded on another island after school. This funding can serve as a bridge until legislators come up with longer-term funding."
The Department of Commerce's Emergency Rapid Response program is providing $1 million. The funding will allow the county to contract with local water taxi providers, charter businesses and barge services when the interisland ferry is out of service.
The governor also authorized $500,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Fund. WSF will use the funding to increase winter season weekend Interisland service. This will improve workforce availability and overall service levels by making it more possible for crew for the extra watches to live in the San Juan Islands year-round.
Among those who spoke about the urgency for new funding at Tuesday's meeting were the principal of Friday Harbor High School, sanitation and public works employees, a resident who travels weekly for cancer treatment, and a local hospice nurse. Steve Nevey, assistant secretary for Washington State Ferries Division, noted WSF’s appreciation for the ideas community members brought forth.
"We appreciate the community’s engagement and willingness to help brainstorm solutions, and of course we appreciate the governor's willingness to turn these ideas into actions," Nevey said. "WSF is ready to put these new tools to work so we can alleviate the dire service challenges on this route."
The funding is available immediately and WSF anticipates the funding will support the supplemental services through next spring. Continuation will depend on legislators supporting new funding during the 2025 legislative session.
The most recent data shows that Washington State Ferries only completed 81% of its scheduled Interisland sailings with an average on-time performance of 41%. Cancellations are primarily due to crew shortages.
WSF routinely completes 95% or more of its scheduled sailings throughout the rest of its system.
"We have been making steady progress on restoring service throughout our ferry system, but that progress has yet to reach these islands," Inslee said. "The unique challenges facing the Interisland route are simply untenable and create real risks for residents. Medical emergencies don’t wait until Monday. Parents need to know their children won’t be stranded on another island after school. This funding can serve as a bridge until legislators come up with longer-term funding."
The Department of Commerce's Emergency Rapid Response program is providing $1 million. The funding will allow the county to contract with local water taxi providers, charter businesses and barge services when the interisland ferry is out of service.
The governor also authorized $500,000 from the Governor’s Emergency Fund. WSF will use the funding to increase winter season weekend Interisland service. This will improve workforce availability and overall service levels by making it more possible for crew for the extra watches to live in the San Juan Islands year-round.
Among those who spoke about the urgency for new funding at Tuesday's meeting were the principal of Friday Harbor High School, sanitation and public works employees, a resident who travels weekly for cancer treatment, and a local hospice nurse. Steve Nevey, assistant secretary for Washington State Ferries Division, noted WSF’s appreciation for the ideas community members brought forth.
"We appreciate the community’s engagement and willingness to help brainstorm solutions, and of course we appreciate the governor's willingness to turn these ideas into actions," Nevey said. "WSF is ready to put these new tools to work so we can alleviate the dire service challenges on this route."
The funding is available immediately and WSF anticipates the funding will support the supplemental services through next spring. Continuation will depend on legislators supporting new funding during the 2025 legislative session.
