We envision the Straits Region as a vibrant rural and resource based community,... In the year 2014, the urban growth areas of Joyce, Clallam Bay, and Sekiu have retained their small town character by concentrating commercial development into compact core areas. The commercial core of these urban growth areas express the historic compatibility and coastal village design proposals first articulated by their community councils. Tree-lined streets and pedestrian-friendly town centers welcome local residents and tourists alike to stop and spend some time browsing through the locally produced merchandise or dining at the local cafes. Many hotel and tourist-related businesses have upgraded their facilities to attract tourists seeking destination resort accommodations and activities. Recreational trail users will be welcomed and directed to connections to many hiker, bicyclist, and equestrian trails in the nearby area. Local trails will be identified and mapped showing routes to the south, joining trails in the Olympic National Park and nearby Department of Natural Resources land as well as connections to the Olympic Discovery Trail to the coast. To the north, trails will lead to the scenic area of Salt Creek Park, Crescent Beach and their adjoining trail systems. Pedestrian amenities such as boardwalks, bicycle trails and fishing piers are utilized in combination with organized events to provide activities for local residents and visitors. Community festivals organized by local business throughout the year have made these urban areas popular sites for recreation-related conventions. Most residences in the urban growth areas are within walking distance of the commercial core. The urban growth areas in this region are linked by an efficient local transit system and provisions are made for non-motorized transportation utilizing bicycle lanes along Highway 112.

Manufacturing and industrial concerns have been promoted through the creation of small business incubators in Joyce and Clallam Bay. Here, locally produced goods are manufactured and sold through the attached retail outlets. Limited resources are pooled through the use of common secretarial, computer and shipping services. Clallam Bay also saw new industrial development associated with and using labor from the Corrections Center at the Clallam Bay Industrial Park. Sekiu has upgraded the appearance of its waterfront and main street and is attracting resort guests through an active marketing program. The communities of Clallam Bay and Joyce have experienced job growth from the development of an aquaculture industry which produces shellfish and fish within the Straits and on upland sites. Several value-added wood products and specialty food products are being shipped from the area to the Pacific Rim Nations. All industrial uses except those associated with the forest industry are found within the urban areas. The Makah museums, long house, casino and port attractions at Neah Bay have provided major employment opportunities on the County’s west end. Its port has become a major oil spill response center and continues to be a major fishing center.

where the urban areas are the cultural, educational and growth centers of the region,... The urban areas of Joyce, Clallam Bay, Sekiu and Neah Bay provide a mixture of employment, residential, commercial, cultural and recreational opportunities. A new community center/swimming pool complex was constructed in Sekiu using a combination of Corrections Center impact funds and State community development funds. Neah Bay has become a cultural center with a national reputation for its preservation of the Makah culture. Peninsula College provides branch video centers in Sekiu and Neah Bay where students can use prerecorded video instruction and interactive video to fulfill college or advanced degree requirements of the major schools in Washington. Much of the new urban-type development which occurred after 1994 took place within the existing urban centers where infrastructure was in place or could be easily extended. Curbside pickup of solid waste and recycling has been established in Joyce. The Public Utility District, Crescent Water System and the County provide services within the unincorporated urban growth areas.

where resource management and conservation are the backbone of the economy,... Forest resource lands, farms and important open space resource lands first identified in 1992 and 1993 remain in resource use. Many of the agricultural and open space resource lands visible from the highways have been permanently protected through purchase of development rights, rural low density/mixed use open space agreements and conservation easements. Truck farming operations on the periphery of the urban growth areas provide food products for urban residents and sales items for local farmers markets. The rural portions of the region identified in the 1994 plan have retained their rural character through the use of low density development options and utilization of rural low density/mixed use development approaches. A clear boundary exists between rural and urban areas. The application of forestry practices including selective harvesting, shelterwood cuts, viewshed management and watershed management have led to greater acceptance of harvesting practices and have vastly improved the appearance and ecological health of the working forest.

with a population that respects the beauty and function of the natural environment,... Twenty years of work in education and environmental restoration have resulted in the development of a strong sense of stewardship among Straits residents towards the watersheds in their region. Critical areas are protected and environmental enhancement projects have restored many acres of wetlands and miles of steams to salmon runs. Few weekends go by when local groups are not found in the field working on habitat improvements or maintenance. Water is clean and abundant due to conservation efforts. The abundance of intact native plant communities and natural systems in the region are the focus of many professional research efforts which share their results with visitors and students through several interpretive centers built in the region. Careful stewardship has ensured the conservation of our land, air, water and energy resources for future generations.

a good place to live,... The Straits region is known for its livable urban villages which express their own unique character. They are all noted for their quality of life, pedestrian orientation and superior design. The Highway 112 corridor is now tree lined as it passes through the urban areas, and businesses all along this corridor have upgraded their landscaping and physical appearance. Some high density, low cost housing has been built near the commercial core areas where easy access to transit and job opportunities is available. Well-designed and landscaped modular homes and multifamily developments provide an attractive low cost living environment. Unsightly land uses such as storage yards, junk yards and industrial have been screened and landscaped. Visitors to our area note the distinct rural boundaries on either side of the urban growth areas. Public access has been enhanced at Crescent Beach and to other marine shorelines. Recreational trails have been identified and enhanced in and around the region. Access for trail users to points of interest and other trails – such as the Olympic Discovery Trail – have been marked and maintained by local use groups. Increased use by local residents and tourists provides a point of pride and assures that the area is not only “a good place to live, but to visit.”

where we work together... The Straits region enjoys a healthy and stable economy, emphasizing diversity in the range of goods produced and services provided. Tourism has become an economic focus for the west end retail community. In the Joyce area, mountain bike events on the Olympic Discovery Trail’s “Adventure Route Trail” segment that traverses lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources have generated substantial revenue for the community. Many people work year-round in the forest industry and corrections fields. Businesses continue to locate in our County because of the high quality of life, provision of business infrastructure, the emphasis on superior schools, and the ability of a family oriented community to provide a safe living environment for all. The business community also recognizes that the predictability brought about by the management of growth and the creation of effective public/tribal/private partnerships has fostered a relationship of trust between residents, business interests and governments. This trust has benefited the overall economic development of the County. Problems identified by residents and the business community are clearly articulated in the Plan and solutions have been proposed with clear sources of funding identified. Residents and business interests trust their local governments to follow through on solutions because the plans and promises made to manage growth in 1994 have been followed and changes to the original plan occur as a result of demonstrated community need. Relationships with tribal governments have improved as the community embraces its cultural diversity. Change is accepted and proceeds in an orderly fashion based on the growth management plan.

Over all, we envision a great place for all to live, work, and play!