San Juan County declines Decatur Island property purchase after feasibility concerns

The San Juan County Council voted to terminate a purchase-and-sale agreement for a Decatur Island property that had been under county consideration for shoreline access and marine facility expansion.

Public comment and concerns Several Decatur Island residents testified during public access time. James Pearson said the parcel’s size, floodplain and wetlands mean septic and well setbacks required by the San Juan County General Code would preclude locating replacement systems on the lot if existing systems failed. He warned that “$750,000 is just the beginning” because surveys, remediation and infrastructure work would add substantial cost.

Debbie Warren and Lincoln Score, both Decatur residents, urged the council to ensure full due diligence and release appraisal, environmental and well/septic reports so island residents could review them. Score asked whether existing county-collected reports (appraisal, environmental, septic/well reports) had been provided to the community.

County analysis and decision Public Works staff summarized the county’s due diligence: the county entered a purchase-and-sale agreement with a two-month due-diligence period; the feasibility study concludes on Aug. 29 and the agreement would expire if not approved by Sept. 30. Public Works noted the property is adjacent to existing marine access and could provide additional space for marine transportation, but it is not blank land and currently functions as a residence.

Council member Paulson and other council members acknowledged both supportive and opposed written public comments but concluded the combination of environmental constraints, floodplain and limited developable area made the parcel unsuitable for county needs. The council adopted a motion that the property is not suitable for the county’s intended use and terminated the purchase-and-sale agreement under its contingency provisions; the motion passed by voice vote.

Discussion vs. formal action - Discussion: Public commenters raised septic/well setback limits (300-foot setback requirement from tidelands/wetlands cited by a speaker referencing San Juan County General Code), flooding and climate-change concerns, the cost of surveys and road maintenance, and whether zoning changes would be necessary to use the parcel for public access or parking. - Formal action: Council voted to terminate the purchase-and-sale agreement; no acquisition, rezoning or expenditures were approved.

Next steps Public Works and county staff will retain due-diligence materials on the county website; the agreement termination means the county will not proceed with purchase unless a new proposal is brought forward.