San Juan County is offering a new wetland assessment service that will be available to property owners free of charge.

The service consists of a one-hour site visit by a qualified wetlands professional, determination of whether a wetland exists in a location of concern, and, if so, identification of the wetland type under the county’s new critical areas rules. As part of the assessment, a property owner will receive a summary of findings and generalized map of the evaluated area.

If it is determined that a wetland does not exist, the county wetland map will be modified to reflect that information.

Assessment applications are available online at the county website or at the Community Development and Planning Department, 135 Rhone Street in Friday Harbor, 378-2354. Applications can be mailed upon request.