Introduction:

The goals of the Watershed Advisory Committee are to develop durable solutions to prevent, reduce, and eliminate non-point sources of pollution that can negatively impact the beneficial uses of surface waters, both fresh and marine, and ground water county-wide. These durable solutions have been coined "Action Strategies" and are listed below.

The Action Strategies were developed to address the pollution problem statements contained in the preceding chapter. These strategies were developed after months of technical presentations, discussions with implementing agencies, committee discussions, and public workshops. The strategies identify implementing agencies as well as additional participating entities. The strategies were assigned an implementation schedule consisting of a start and completion date. Implementation costs were projected based on the following three categories:

Low:	Implementation with existing staff with total cost not to exceed $10,000
Moderate:	Implementation with existing staff or under contract, cost between $10,000 and $50,000
High:	Additional staff needed, cost in excess of $50,000

See Section 4, Implementation Strategies, for more detailed estimates of implementation costs.

The strategies contain recommendations for new regulations, proposed regulation changes, development and implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), financial incentives, education, monitoring, and inventories. The Action Strategies are listed below, starting with overall water quality strategies and then by source of pollution.

Water Quality Strategies:

WQ1:	Develop and fund a long term water quality monitoring program to measure the cumulative impacts of non-point source pollution including but not limited to; sewage disposal, land conversions, stormwater, agricultural, forestry, marinas and recreational boating, and solid and hazardous waste.

• Long term water quality monitoring of both marine and fresh waters is the best way to look for changes that indicate contamination. Early warning thresholds for changes in water quality give state and county staff and decision makers an opportunity to prevent degradation before it damages valuable resources.

WQ2:

Inform Realtors, Developers, Regulators, Decisions Makers, Contractors, Planners, and Property Owners about wetlands and non-point sources of pollution including, but not limited to, septic systems, land conversions, stormwater, agricultural and forestry practices, marinas and boating, and solid waste.

WQ3:	Update the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Survey for San Juan County.

• The original soil survey was completed in 1963 and needs to be revised to provide updated and more relevant soil capability and limitation interpretations. The new survey would be at a larger scale (1:12,000) to provide more accurate and detailed soil information.
  
• This information will benefit county agencies, state agencies, and individual property owners when planning for siting homes, wells, septic systems, and roads; planning development; evaluating cumulative effects in a watershed; developing agriculture and forestry plans; providing wetland delineation and protection; and supporting natural resource conservation and management.

• Currently, county staff, including permit center staff and on-site sewage sanitarians, are not trained in wetland identification. Staff must be trained in the wetland identification to insure proper setbacks are maintained to wetlands and wetland buffers.

• Using students and community volunteers to accomplish water quality monitoring in the long term lowers costs and provides the additional benefit of stewardship and community participation in protecting water quality.

WQ8:

Utilize an early warning threshold of no more than 10% of the samples used to calculate the geometric mean exceed 10 cfu/100mL in marine waters for San Juan County shellfish water quality monitoring. This early warning should initiate an investigation of sources of contamination, such as sanitary surveys for failing septic systems and inventories of upland farm practices.

• The State Department of Health Shellfish Program uses an early warning threshold of 30 cfu/100mL for 10% of samples used to calculate a geometric mean. Because San Juan County waters are relatively pristine, a more conservative warning level is recommended.

WQ9:

Complete a computerized geographic information system (GIS) of watershed characteristics for all of San Juan County and continue to develop resource information to complete a watershed management database for resource technicians and planners, permit staff, developers, conservation groups, and citizens of the county.

On-site Sewage System Strategies:

OS1:	Inform homeowners, Realtors, and contractors about proper septic system operation and maintenance. Information sources should include, articles in newspaper similar to "OPALCO Gram", brochures, column in Realtor newsletters, yearly workshops, and "owner manuals."

OS2:	Continue to inform property owners that low interest loan money is available to repair failed septic systems.

OS3:	Facilitate workshops with septic tank pumpers and maintenance providers about contracting with homeowners' groups, including non-ferry islands, for services at a reduced cost.

• The cost of travel for pumpers causes a financial burden to homeowners and is a limiting factor to good septic system maintenance. By contracting for maintenance as a group, homeowners would be able to get timely service and share the expense.

OS9:	Develop and implement a comprehensive septage and sludge management plan for San Juan County.

• Currently, the cost of septic system pumping is high enough to discourage regular maintenance due to high septage disposal costs. The county's two septage lagoons are overused and regularly fail. Both of these factors call out for an economical and efficient septage disposal program for the county.

OS10:

Construct a septage treatment facility on San Juan Island to reduce septic tank pumping cost.

• San Juan County is currently pursuing construction of a Solar Aquatics Septage Treatment Facility on San Juan Island, which has no facility at the time of this plan. The county should continue moving forward in this effort.

OS11:

Provide adequate funding to maintain an effective operation and maintenance (O&M) program. The county needs to provide and maintain the necessary funding and resources to sustain an effective O&M program.

• This strategy addresses the need for county staff to support an effective O&M program, and also the need to provide funds to homeowners who have limited financial ability to pay for expensive repairs.

OS12:

Continue to pursue funding for sanitary surveys in areas of the county with high risk for septic failure, such as: areas where water quality monitoring shows elevated levels of fecal contamination and areas where older subdivisions and septic systems have a direct impact on the shoreline or drainage.

• San Juan County has completed two on site septic surveys in the last two years. The results of these surveys are inconclusive, due to seasonal occupancy and other factors. The rate of repair permits continues to rise, indicating that failures may be a real concern. Conducting careful surveys will give the county a better picture of failures and offers homeowners important assistance for maintenance and repair of their systems.

OS13:

San Juan County should continue to encourage alternative and experimental on-site systems and monitor on performance-based criteria.

Land Conversion Strategies:

LC1:	Review and revise, if appropriate, Clearing and Grading regulations, Section 6.6.5A of the Unified Development Code for consistency with good water quality management and best management practices.

• San Juan County's shallow soils, dry climate, and small drainage basins call for site specific planning to protect water quality and quantity. The cumulative effect of residential development poses the greatest potential threat to the county's water resources unless carefully managed.

LC2:	Insure implementation of BMPs for clearing and grading are instituted for all land development, including single family residences.

• Currently, clearing and grading for single family residences is exempt from county review.

LC3:	Develop and insure implementation of Small Parcel Drainage plans for land development, including single family residences.

LC4:	Provide incentives to property owners to decrease densities on undeveloped property.

• This is intended to encourage property owners to voluntarily down-zone, particularly in areas with density designated less than five acres, to a maximum density of one residence per five acres or greater.

LC5:	Inform developers, Realtors, and property owners on all issues surrounding land conversions (i.e.; "ConversionGram" and newsletters)

LC6:	Develop resource management overviews for county staff, developers, property owners and homebuyers using existing data and technology.

• Such an overview would provide information on natural settings, habitat, hydrology, land capabilities, and limitations, with recommended measures to minimize impacts during development. It would give county staff better information on the cumulative impacts on the watershed and it would provide the property owner or buyer with a perspective of how their property fits in the watershed.

LC7:

Develop and implement policies and procedures for assessing the cumulative impacts of land conversion and development on a watershed basis. This should include identifying baseline conditions, thresholds of unacceptable change, and remediation/regulation to address unacceptable impacts if determined to be necessary.

LC8:	For all subdivisions, require conservation design plans to protect critical habitat, resource lands, aquifer recharge, and surface water supplies.

Stormwater Runoff Strategies:

SW1:	Improve enforcement of stormwater control measures, through inspection, to insure their effectiveness.

• Currently the only time surface water run-off, erosion, and sediment control measures are checked is if a complaint is registered. A program of conducting periodic inspections to insure control measures are installed and functioning properly is needed.

SW2:	Require contractors that construct stormwater facilities be certified by the Department of Transportation or other reputable organization (such as, IECA) in surface water run-off, erosion, and sediment control.

• Requiring contractors to become certified will assure that contractors are knowledgeable in the installation of erosion control techniques.

SW3:	Require an "as-built" drawing and operation and maintenance manual be completed and submitted on all new and revised permanent stormwater facilities.

• A certification of completion or as-built is needed to document the installation of the stormwater facilities and an O&M manual describes how to operate it effectively.

SW4:	Develop a Best Management Practice (BMPs) manual for stormwater that is specific to rural development in San Juan County.

• Department of Ecology's Stormwater Manual contains BMPs for urban settings but fails to address BMPs for the rural settings typical of San Juan County.

SW5:	Inform developers, contractors, and property owners of the methods and benefits of BMP implementation for stormwater, erosion, and sediment control (e.g.; "ConversionGram" etc.)

Agriculture Practices Strategies:

AP1:

Inform property owners and farmers of the existence of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and their benefits for all conventional and exotic livestock. The Conservation District (CD) should actively contact farmers to explain BMPs, the benefits received, and investigate the obstacles to BMP implementation.

• Farm operators in the county are concerned about good management practices, but few are aware that technical advice and funding are available through the county's Conservation District.

AP2:	Conduct an inventory to identify farmland and numbers of animals countywide. An accurate survey is needed to assess the total extent of farming activities including potential water quality problems.

AP3:	Review and revise, if appropriate, Section 4.2, Agricultural Activities, Best Management Practices for Water Quality, in the Unified Development Code.

AP4:	Develop and activate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Ecology and San Juan County to clarify the various agencies roles and responsibility in preventing water quality degradation from farming activities.

• The current enforcement program, administered by the Department of Ecology, is inadequate. Development of an MOU may provide for quicker and more effective response to potential water quality problems.

AP5:	Identify and obtain cost share funds to assist farmers in implementing BMPs.

• Implementing BMPs can be both costly and time-consuming. Funding and programs are available to help defray the cost and may even provide the labor to implement the BMPs.

Forest Practices Strategies:

FP1:	Inform landowners and loggers of the requirements of the forest practice rules and benefits of BMPs.

• The state forest practice rules are complex and not easily understood by the general public and there is no educational program for best management practices relating to land clearing and logging. Better understanding of the rules and the benefits of best management practices will lead to greater protection of water quality.

FP2:

Develop and implement a program to present information to landowners, loggers, and contractors who clear and grade property through workshops and training on BMPs and site specific conditions in San Juan County, including identification of wetlands, important habitat characteristics, and the importance of preventing erosion and sedimentation. Ongoing education should be a part of this program.

FP3:	Develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) specific to San Juan County that relate to clearing and grading, roads, skid trails, and revegetation that promote watershed stabilization and reduction of surface water run-off, erosion, and off-site sediment impacts.

• San Juan County's soils, climate, and topography differ greatly from the nearby mainland. Forest practices need to address site specific conditions.

  Implementing Agency:	Natural Resource Conservation Service
  Participating Agencies:	San Juan County Conservation District
  Cost:	Moderate
  Implementation Schedule:	Year 2

FP4:	Develop and require implementation of BMPs or guidelines to protect habitat and water quality as well as timber management for land classified as Timber Open Space and Designated Forest Land.

• Property owners can gain a substantial tax reduction under the timber open space designation. Protection of water quality and habitat should be included as part of the requirements under this tax incentive.

FP5:

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) needs to monitor and provide the necessary enforcement to insure BMPs are implemented for all timber harvest activities to promote watershed stabilization and reduction of surface water run-off, erosion, and off-site sediment impacts. Explore possibility of utilizing a volunteer citizen group to monitor and report to DNR.

• Currently, DNR has limited ability (staffing) to enforce its rules. This is a problem throughout the area but even more so in San Juan County due to relatively small harvests and travel constraints. Other jurisdictions have established groups of trained volunteers to work with DNR by monitoring local logging activities.

FP6:	Review and revise, if appropriate, the Forest Practices regulations, Section 3.6.8D(1) of the Unified Development Code for consistency with good water quality management and best management practices.

FP7:	Develop a memorandum of understanding with Department of Natural Resources to provide specific, current county information for their review of forest practice permits.

• Provide DNR with computerized geographic information and develop a Memorandum of Understanding wtih DNR to assure that the information provided by San Juan County will be used.

FP8:	Develop and utilize a computer tracking system, which includes mapping of activities, for forest practice applications and subsequent land development.

• Currently, neither the state or county is tracking the rate of conversion of forest land to residential and other development.

Marinas and Recreational Boating Strategies:

MR1:	Facilitate a survey at marinas and recreational areas and high traffic areas to determine the number of boats, overnight activity, number of mooring buoys, use of pump-out facilities and discharge areas in San Juan County.

• San Juan County is a popular boating destination, but the state and county have little information on boating activities and impacts to water quality.

MR2:	Disseminate educational material to boaters on the effects of illegal discharges, particularly on shallow poor flushing bays and other sensitive areas.

Implementing Agency:	Planning Department/Marine Resource Committee
Participating Agencies:	Port of Friday Harbor, State Parks and Recreation, Stewardship Network
Cost:	Low
Implementation Schedule:	Year 2, On-going

MR3:	Pursue obtaining funding to develop additional pump-out facilities, either portable or at marinas, and their continue operation, making it easier for boaters to dispose of their waste. In addition, final waste disposal areas will need to be identified.

• Pump-out facilities for boaters are an important service to encourage proper waste disposal, but maintenance costs are prohibitively high due to transportation from out islands and disposal costs. Funding and developing disposal sites for boater waste is critical to the success of this program.

Implementing Agency:	WS Parks and Recreation
Participating Agencies:	Port of Friday Harbor, State Parks and Recreation, National Parks Service, & San Juan County Health and Community Services
Cost:	High
Implementation Schedule:	Year 1 to Year 3

Solid and Hazardous Waste Strategies:

SH1:	Inventory and evaluate all unregulated landfills.

Implementing Agency:	San Juan County Health & Community Services
Participating Agencies:	Department of Ecology
Cost:	Moderate
Implementation Schedule:	Year 2,

SH2:	Continue to subsidize cost for proper disposal and recycling of household hazardous waste. Additional funds should be sought to increase existing services.

Implementing Agency:	San Juan County Public Works
Participating Agencies:	Town of Friday Harbor
Cost:	Low
Implementation Schedule:	Year 1, On-going

SH3:	Continue to and increase the dissemination of information on what constitutes hazardous waste and how to limit or eliminate their use. Focus should be given to agricultural operations as well as to individual households

Implementing Agency:	San Juan County Public Works
Participating Agencies:	San Juan County Conservation District, Town of Friday Harbor
Cost:	Low
Implementation Schedule:	Year 1, On-going

SH4:	Continue to support and increase county's efforts to recycle.

Implementing Agency:	San Juan County Public Works
Participating Agencies:	San Juan County Conservation District, Town of Friday Harbor
Cost:	Low
Implementation Schedule:	On-going

SH5:	Develop and enforce regulation on illegal dumping and other solid waste violations.

Implementing Agency:	San Juan County Health and Community Services
Participating Agencies:
Cost:	Moderate
Implementation Schedule:	Year 2, On-going

SH6:	Develop an education program for contractors to encourage recycling and proper disposal of waste materials and require that building and demolition contractors fill out a waste management plan before projects are begun.

Implementing Agency:	San Juan County Permit Center, Town of Friday Harbor
Participating Agencies:	San Juan County Public Works
Cost:	Moderate
Implementation Schedule:	Year 2, On-going