Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Port of Friday Harbor: Island Air moving into Hangar 80; Port staff working with county on Cannery property uses
LWVSJ Observer Corps: Friday Harbor Port Commission, September 11, 2026 meeting Michelle Herko, Friday Harbor Labs Program Director, reported on the program she oversees allowing fifth grade students to perform water testing at the Friday Harbor Marina. They share their results with the Port. She emphasized the program’s value and submitted a funding request to […]
September 21: Poetry of Place at Westside Preserve
September 21, 2026 | 5 to 7 PM | Westside Preserve | 296 West Side Rd #298 | Friday Harbor, WA Join land steward Shauna Barrows and Danny Sherrard at the West Side Preserve for a Poetry of Place writing workshop! Find nature in your nature and your nature in nature. Island Verse event
Kwiaht launches arsenic testing and action project
Islands conservation laboratory Kwiaht is seeking participants in a study of the extent of arsenic contamination in island wells, and actions to reduce adverse health effects Islanders may be at increased risk of colon cancer due to the widespread presence of small amounts of arsenic in the islands’ well water. Although the regulatory ceiling for […]
Larsen Statement on Joint U.S.-Canada Oil Spill Response Exercise
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 15, 2026 U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement: “On September 1, my staff observed a joint exercise between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard designed to simulate response efforts and coordination between our two countries in […]
Larsen Applauds $4.2 Million for Local Salmon Passage Restoration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 15, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) is awarding $4.2 million to the Skagit River System Cooperative (Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community) for restoring fish passage to support Similk Estuary Chinook salmon. “This is great news for fish!” said Rep. Larsen. “This […]
Comments about proposed updates to the CAO and SMP due by October 9
San Juan County is seeking your comments on its proposed updates to the Critical Area Ordinance (CAO) protections and the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). As we consider protections for natural resources and systems, we are interested to learn of any questions and feedback you may have. San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections. […]