In September 2023, San Juan County created a draft of the proposed Destination Management Plan for the San Juan Islands to help fund recreational facilities and manage growing tourism in the Islands.

San Juan County began engaging the community and invited the public to submit feedback regarding the plan through the Engage San Juan County website and via email to tourism@sanjuanco.com.

Analysis of Comments. Comments received regarding the Destination Management Plan was published in early July as part of a San Juan Co. Meeting held on July 8, 2024. The topic of the Management Plan begins on page 44.

The Development Plan was put on pause following the Aug-Oct 2023 public review in order to analyze the extensive feedback. Comments received totaled 916 – 519 submitted by email and 397 submitted via Engage San Juan Co. 74.7% of the responses came from San Juan Co.; 12.3% outside SJC; and 13% responses provided no residency.

Comments Synopsis. Many commentors were in favor of improvements in bicycle safety. Others expressed that bicycle tourism does not bring a large amount of economic benefit. There was general support on the boating topic of prohibiting anchoring in sensitive eelgrass areas and adding mooring buoys in locations of fragile marine habitats. The idea of a buoy reservation system met with mixed sentiment. Potential restrictions to the number of boaters allowed to anchor/moor were also mixed. There was support for interconnected trail systems, with improved trail planning efforts with landowners and the community. Some commentors expressed concern that improving infrastructure would increase tourism.

Many comments suggested that the prevalence of vacation rentals was diminishing the character of the islands and exacerbating the affordable housing crisis. There was consistent feedback that the Visitor Bureau’s marketing budget should be reduced or even eliminated because of pressure on a stressed ferry system and worker housing needs.

Annual Sticker/Pass. Many commentors strongly opposed the proposal of an annual pass (suggested $10-$15/year fee) for cars, boats, and bicycles as a potential revenue generating fund for recreational facilities. Some expressed concerns about the implementation and enforcement of a fee system. There was, however, fairly strong support to enact fees for visitors from which residents would be exempt.

What’s Next. It has been suggested that San Juan County reframe their work to:

  • Narrow the Plan’s Focus
  • Consider removing actions related to affordable housing best addressed in the Affordable Housing Program.
  • Consider removing actions related to vacation rentals and actions and references related to ferries.
  • The ROSS Trail Plan is already being implemented and does not need to be repeated, only referenced.
  • Encourage the business community to develop an economic plan, which should include an analysis of tourism related businesses and their economic impact.
  • A clearly defined impact assessment and situational analysis is recommended to be part of the Plan – strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and constraints.

As noted in the report, “any further engagement and deeper assessment work, along with the previous efforts, should set up the County to return to this work with more clarity and an improved strategy.”

To read the full report, click HERE, report starts on page 44.