A resource for shoreline property owners
Mooring buoys, Private Docks & Public Marinas
Some modern docks are designed to minimize shading which discourages the growth of eel grass.
A dock built on a durable surface minimizes its impact on the nearshore environment.
To construct a new private dock, you will need to obtain:
Clustering single user docks
increases the impacts on the marine environment.
- Substantial Development Permit from San Juan County
Application
- Standards considered by San Juan County include but are not limited to:
- Is there space in the local marina where the boat could be moored?
- Is there eel grass? Is there kelp? Is the area a forage fish spawning beach?
- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife & the Army Corp of Engineers
require a Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA).
To install a mooring buoy:
- San Juan County requires a Shoreline Exemption Permit
- The Washington State Department of Natural Resources requires a
Mooring Buoy/Boatlift License Application
- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife & the Army Corp of Engineers both
require a Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application
(JARPA).
Questions to consider:
- Would it be feasible to use a public marina for access to my boat?
- Could my neighbor(s) and I share a dock?
- Is there eel grass in the nearshore which could be harmed by a dock or mooring buoy? If so, are there alternative areas I could
utilize to minimize the impact on this important habitat?
- In constructing a new dock is it possible to orient it in a north/south
direction to minimize shading? Could I use grating that is designed to allow a
greater amount of light to filter through?
- Can I refrain from using materials, such as creosote pilings which leach harmful chemicals into the water?
Marinas
There are 14 public docks in San Juan County
San Juan Island
Lopez
Orcas
How do I get information about my parcel?
- San Juan County's parcel search
provides basic information and aerial views of your property.
Even more detailed ecological information with updated
GIS data and photographs will come online in September 2009.
- The Washington Department of Ecology's Coastal Atlas offers aerial views of
coastline properties and GIS information about vegetation and habitat, slope stability and a variety of other physical and ecological features.