Friday Harbor Marina Expansion Study San Juan Island Washington Final Detailed Project Report And Environmental Assessment

The study for expansion of the Friday Harbor Small Boat Marina was conducted at the request of the Port of Friday Harbor. The purposes of this study are to determine the need and feasibility of providing additional small boat moorages in the Friday Harbor area and to provide adequate wave protection for the existing and the expanded moorages. The existing marina includes a structurally unsound floating breakwater which is inadequate for wave protection. Total failure would leave the 287 existing moorages unprotected. A range of nonstructural and structural alternatives were examined. Preliminary examination revealed only structural alternatives would address the objective of providing addditional moorages and protection for an expanded marina. In analyzing and evaluating these alternatives, legal, financial, policy, social, economic, environmental, and design criteria were considered, as well as public and agency input. The conclusion of this analysis was that maximum limitations of the area would best serve the public interest and would provide 338 additional wet moorages and protection for the expanded marina. The principal environmental limitation was the environmentally sensitive tidelands to the northwest. Physical limitations were the developed shorelands to the west, north, and northeast; the Washington State ferry route to the east, southeast, and south; and the marine development to the south. The only nonstructural alternative considered was no-action. This alternative would not satisfy the planning objective.