Community Presentation

The Threat of a Large Oil Spill -At What Cost to San Juan County

What would a large oil spill cost all of us?  How long would it affect our communities, property values, businesses, and way of life?

Our County’s Environmental Resources Division and the Marine Resources Committee together with specialty consultants have completed an Oil Spill Consequences Assessment that estimates the catastrophic economic and ecosystem services losses that we would endure in the event of a large oil spill.  It evaluates the extent of damages and range of potential costs from two hypothetical oil spills at the relatively high risk Turn Point location on Haro Strait: an oil tanker spill and cargo vessel fuel oil spill.  The assessment contributes to a cost-benefit business case for investment in additional spill prevention measures including an emergency response towing vessel in or near our County waters that could aid vessels in distress.

You are invited to learn more at a community presentation in Friday Harbor on Wednesday May 8, 2019 11 AM – 1 PM.

San Juan Island Grange, 152 First Street North, Friday Harbor

This presentation will also be available through a webinar scheduled to be held 12-1pm May 15th: 

Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery

THE WHALE WARNING FLAG STUDY

If you would like a flag for your boat email us at mrc@sanjuanco.com

The San Juan County MRC continue to build on their efforts to assist the recovery efforts of the endangered Southern Resident Killer whale. 

In 2018 we launched the Whale Warning Flag pilot study and associated education and outreach campaign aimed at shifting boater behavior around whales. We are collaborating with Soundwatch and SRKW experts to collect and analyze data on compliance levels and general boater awareness of how to behave in the vicinity of whales. To learn more about the study and how to get involved check out our SRKW project page.