What's New

"The obscure we see eventually.  The completely apparent takes a little longer." - Edward R. Murrow

The Town of Friday Harbor would like to announce the beginning of their Shoreline Master Program Update process.

This process will take approximately 3 years to complete. Information can be obtained at www.fridayharbor.org/smp.htm or by emailing smp@fridayharbor.org.

The initial meeting will be at the regular Planning Commission meeting, January 13, 2011 at 5:35 PM in the Town Council Chambers located at 60 Second Street, Friday Harbor.

As the process progresses there will be regular meetings with the Town Planning Commission. These meeting will be advertised and the public is encouraged to attend and participate in the discussions. The information being discussed at the meeting will be available via the Town Website (see above) or by contacting the Town at 360-378-2810, ext. 241, in advance of the announced meeting date.

The basic steps in the process will be as follows;

1. The Town will compile a shoreline inventory and will use that inventory to prepare a shoreline analysis. Once the draft documents are assembled they will be disseminated to the public and a public meeting will be held for discussion. The Town is interested in getting as much information as possible from all individuals and organizations with knowledge of or interest in the waterfront.

2. The existing shoreline policies and regulations will be compared to the shoreline inventory and characterization. Where discrepancies exist between the shoreline condition and the policies/regulations that are intended to govern, revised policies and regulations will be drafted. Again, once the draft documents are assembled they will be disseminated and a public meeting will be held to collect input.

3. The Town will then prepare a cumulative impacts analysis and recovery plan. These documents and any proposed changes to the policies and regulations arising from them will be disseminated and another public meeting will be scheduled.

4. At the end of this process the draft revised Shoreline Master Program will be presented to the Planning Commission for public hearings and then to the Town Council for public hearings and recommendation for the Town Council.

This is a brief overview of a rather long and complex process. Please see the Public Participation Plan at  www.fridayharbor.org/smp.htm for details and opportunities to participate.  Thank you

Town Parks Map (.pdf)      Town Time Limit Parking Map (.pdf)

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO STORMWATER POLLUTION

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?  The next time it rains, look at a street gutter or roadside ditch. The rain, rather than seeping into the soil, flows quickly off roads and roofs. It picks up detergents, oil, grease, heavy metals, and trash from roads, sediment from construction sites and pesticides and fertilizers from lawns. It rushes through storm drains and, when discharged to the local waterways, erodes the natural eco-system. Contrary to popular belief, most storm drains are not connected to treatment systems. Whatever enters the drain is discharged directly, untreated into local waterways. What started as a friendly rain, is now a serious polluter.

Stormwater pollution is also known as "nonpoint source pollution," as it comes from many locations that, while each may be very small, cumulatively have a large impact. Stormwater pollution can make monitoring and treatment of our drinking water more difficult and costly. In addition, it can hinder the health of the aquatic ecosystem and eventually result in the loss of our waterways for recreational purposes.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?  Businesses, residents and visitors can promote the protection of water quality by taking action to reduce those activities that lead to non-point source water pollution. You can help by using the following tips below to prevent pollution. More information is available by contacting the San Juan County Public Works Department or the Town of Friday Harbor.

Additionally, the Town is in the process of marking storm drain inlets in private parking areas with decals and distributing informational handouts to businesses.

TOP TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO TO BE A "SOLUTION TO STORMWATER POLLUTION"

1. Never dump anything down a storm drain or into a drainage ditch.

2. Recycle motor oil and other vehicle fluids.

3. Throw litter in its place.

4. Clean up after your pet.

5. Check and repair your vehicles for leaks.

6. Dispose of household hazardous wastes at designated locations.

7. Compost yard clippings.

8. Use fertilizer and pesticide only when needed (Read the label!).

9. If you wash your vehicle at home, do so on the lawn rather than the pavement.

10. Tell a friend or neighbor about how to prevent stormwater pollution and get involved in your community.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Downtown Friday Harbor - early 1950's    link to (much) larger version - 638kb

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." - Albert Einstein

02/03/2012

Neither the Town of Friday Harbor nor any agency, officer, or employee of the Town warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information presented here, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information.
Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity who relies on any information obtained from the system, does so at his or her own risk.
Copyright © 2012 Town of Friday Harbor Washington.  All rights reserved.