Submitted by San Juan County.

What happens to roads, homes and the shoreline when the sea rises? San Juan County is kicking off the second round of community workshops dedicated to sea-level rise, focusing on specific island roads and infrastructure that are at risk due to rising tides and eroding banks. These workshops will bring communities together for a deeper dive into island-specific case studies and discuss our options for responding to sea level rise.

Areas of focus

While the first round of workshops reviewed the science of sea-level rise (see recordings at https://engage.sanjuancountywa.gov/sea-level-rise-shoreline-habitat-infrastructure-adaptation-strategies), the second round of workshops will dive into island-specific case studies: False Bay Road at False Bay (San Juan Island), Deer Harbor Road at West Sound (Orcas Island), Port Stanley Road at Swifts Bay (Lopez Island) and Blind Bay Road at Blind Bay (Shaw Island). Each site was chosen for its representation of different scenarios that can be found throughout the county.

This workshop will also be facilitated by a consultant specializing in community response to sea-level rise.

Workshop schedule

Lopez Island: The Future of Port Stanley Road. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 5-7 p.m., Lopez Island Grange, 452 Richardson Road, Lopez Island.

Shaw Island: The Future of Blind Bay Road. Wednesday, Dec. 3, noon to 2 p.m., Shaw Community Center, 42 Reef Net Bay Road, Shaw Island.

Orcas Island: The Future of West Sound’s Deer Harbor Road. Wednesday, Dec. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m., West Sound Community Hall, 525 Deer Harbor Road.

San Juan Island: The Future of False Bay Road. Thursday, Dec. 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Marie Boe Building at the San Juan County Fairgrounds, 849 Argyle Ave., Friday Harbor.

We hope the community will engage in these critical workshops! You can attend in person or online, and recordings will be available afterward.

Questions? Contact Tyler Davis, environmental project manager: tylerd@sanjuancountywa.gov.