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PART 1: SAN JUAN COUNTY WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN
SECTION 3: PRIORITY WATERSHED ACTION STRATEGIES
East Sound Watershed
Management issues
- Stormwater contamination in Eastsound (Parsons and Ogier, Azous)
- Water quality problems at Coon Hollow, Buck Bay (DOH Shellfish Program monitoring)
- Water quality problems at ambient monitoring station near Rosario: DO and nutrients (DOE ambient monitoring)
- High potential for conversion of steep forested upland areas
- Effect of flushing in marine waters unknown
- High erosion potential
Recommended action strategies
| ES1: | Identify sources of contamination at Eastsound (Fishing Bay), Coon Hollow, and Buck Bay and develop remedial action |
| ES2: | Develop a water quality and habitat conservation plan for Cascade Creek that includes: protection of the riparian buffer through conservation easements, purchase, and/or stewardship plans |
| ES3: | Designate East Sound as a Marine Habitat Management Area under SJC's Shoreline Master Program |
| ES4: | Establish a water resource protection district for the Purdue Lake watershed and Eastsound aquifer, which would include: education of property owners about BMPs for home and farm, conservation easements, conservation purchase, inventory of current sources of contamination, ongoing monitoring |
| ES5: | Establish baseline and long term water quality and streamflow monitoring and modeling of stormwater runoff to determine the cumulative impact of conversions upland in the watershed |
| ES6: | Request that DOE investigate sources of low DO and high nutrient levels in East Sound |
West Sound Watershed:
Management issues
- Livestock access to wetlands and stream corridor in Crow Valley
- Stream contamination (Azous)
- High potential for conversion of steep forested upland areas
- Rate of flushing of bay is unknown
- Shallow groundwater sources are vulnerable to contamination (SJC Conservation District, 1994)
Recommended action strategies
| WS1: | Inventory farm practices in Crow Valley and approach land owners with recommended BMPs to remedy problems |
| WS2: | Establish baseline and long term water quality and streamflow monitoring and modeling of stormwater runoff to determine the cumulative impact of conversions upland in the watershed |
| WS3: | Designate West Sound as a Marine Habitat Management Area under SJC's Shoreline Master Program |
| WS4: | Request that DOE establish an ambient monitoring station in West Sound |
| WS5: | Develop a water resource protection area for the Crow Valley aquifer, which would include: education of property owners about BMPs for home and farm, conservation easements, conservation purchase of critical recharge areas, inventory of current sources of contamination, ongoing monitoring |
| WS6: | Set up conservation and restoration project for the Crow Valley Creek and wetland system |
Deer Harbor Watershed:
Management issues
- Potential for high level of residential density
- High erosion potential
- Two marinas and a boat yard
- No protection of domestic water supply for Spring Point
- Growing number of livestock with access to stream corridors and wetlands
Recommended action strategies
| DH1: | Establish a water resource protection district for the Spring Point water supply, which would include: education of property owners about BMPs for home and farm, conservation easements, conservation purchase, inventory of current sources of contamination, ongoing monitoring |
| DH2: | Establish baseline and long term water quality and streamflow monitoring and modeling of increased stormwater runoff to determine the cumulative impact of conversions upland in the watershed |
| DH3: | Long term monitoring of water quality in Deer Harbor |
Friday Harbor Watershed:
Management issues
- Outstanding percentage of wetland area
- Stormwater contamination in Friday Harbor (DOE EAP, Azous)
- Extensive marina/boat activities
- Town's wastewater system is strained during summer peak season
Recommended action strategies
| FH1: | Set up conservation and restoration project for Beaverton Valley wetland system |
| FH2: | Identify and remedy source of stormwater contamination in Friday Harbor |
| FH3: | Long term monitoring of water quality in Harbor |
| FH4: | Recommend state and federal funding for improvements to the Town of Friday Harbor's wastewater treatment plant, including water conservation measures |
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Westcott-Garrison Watershed:
Management issues
- Enclosed shallow bays with valuable habitat shellfish, educational, recreational resources
- High potential for conversion of steep forested upland areas
- Source of domestic water for suburban and master planned resort area at Roche Harbor
- Agricultural activities with high livestock density
Recommended action strategies
| WG1: | Designate Westcott-Garrison watershed as a Marine Habitat Management Area under SJC's Shoreline Master Program |
| WG2: | Set up conservation and restoration project for the Garrison Bay Creek and wetland system |
| WG3: | Inventory farm practices in West Valley and approach land owners with recommended BMPs to remedy problems |
| WG4: | Recommend that conversion of the forest lands under control of the Roche Harbor ownership incorporate the highest degree of management for stormwater control, wetland preservation, and development covenants that assure the long term protection of water quality in the watershed |
| WG5: | Recommend that the Trust Lands under control of DNR be deeded to permanent conservation ownership (Mitchell Hill) |
| WG6: | Ensure adequate streamflow to maintain beneficial uses within the watershed |
| WG7: | Identify priority areas for conservation easements by the San Juan County Land Bank and Open Space designation for riparian, wetland, and habitat protection |
| WG8: | Establish baseline and long term water quality and streamflow monitoring and modeling of stormwater runoff to determine the cumulative impact of conversions upland in the watershed |
| WG9: | Inventory boating activity in both bays |
False Bay Watershed:
Management issues
- Extensive surface water resource area
- Agriculture activities in wetlands and stream corridors
- Shallow bay with valuable educational resources
- Contamination, sedimentation, and poor riparian vegetation at San Juan Valley Creek
Recommended management strategies
| False B1: | Inventory farm practices in San Juan Valley and approach land owners with recommended BMPs to remedy problems |
| False B2: | Establish a water resource protection district for the the Town of Friday Harbor's drinking water supplies, Trout Lake, Aug 1, and Aug 2 watershed basins, which would include: education of property owners about BMPs for home and farm, conservation easements, conservation purchase, inventory of current sources of contamination, ongoing monitoring |
| False B3: | Designate False Bay as a Marine Habitat Management Area under SJC's Shoreline Master Program |
| False B4: | Set up conservation and restoration project for the San Juan Valley Creek and wetland system |
Roche Harbor Watershed:
Management issues
- Extensive marina/boating activities
- High density development activity under the Master Planned Resort designation
Recommended action strategies
| RH1: | Ongoing monitoring of water quality in the Harbor |
| RH2: | Recommend that future development of the Roche Harbor Resort include the highest degree of environmental protection and BMPs, including water conservation and wastewater reuse |
Fisherman Bay Watershed:
Management issues
Enclosed shallow bay with valuable estuarine and nearshore habitat
Two marinas and one boat yard
Potential for high density residential and commercial development
Valuable unconfined aquifer
Recommended action strategies
| Fish B1: | Designate Fisherman Bay as a Marine Habitat Management Area under SJC's Shoreline Master Program |
| Fish B2: | Set up ongoing water quality monitoring in the bay |
| Fish B3: | Develop a water resource protection area for the Lopez aquifer, which would include: education of property owners about BMPs for home and farm, conservation easements, conservation purchase of critical recharge areas, inventory of current sources of contamination, ongoing monitoring |
| Fish B4: | Establish baseline and long term water quality and streamflow monitoring and modeling of stormwater runoff to determine the cumulative impact of conversions upland in the watershed, particularly to groundwater recharge |
Mud-Hunter Watershed:
Management issues
- Shallow bays and extensive coastline with valuable nearshore and estuarine habitat
- High density development along portions of shoreline
- High level of boating activity
Recommended action strategies
| MH1: | Designate the Mud-Hunter watershed as a Marine Habitat Management Area under SJC's Shoreline Master Program |
| MH2: | Inventory boating activity in the area |
| MH3: | Recommend that the Trust Lands under control of DNR be deeded to permanent conservation ownership (Lopez Hill) |
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