What once were muddied waters should be a good deal clearer thanks to the persistence of a San Juan County Councilman and the signing of a new bill that  expands the list of state-authorized projects that can be paid for by local road funds.

On May 11, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law engrossed House Bill 1868, which adds “marine uses relating to navigation and moorage” to the list of authorized expenditures that govern the use of county road funds. County Councilman Rick Hughes, Orcas, sought to have that list broadened to ensure the road fund could be used not only for repairs and maintenance, but for improvements or new marine-related facilities as well, such as docks, barge landing, boat ramps and mooring buoys.

“For a community surround entirely by water, we have to have an effective transportation system that includes both good roads and marine facilities,” Hughes said in a press release. “Our way of life and economy depend on it.”

In practice, the change in definition will allow the county to spend money from its road fund on maintaining, improving and replacing a variety of marine-related facilities, including Odlin dock (No. 14 on Public Works’ 2015-20 transportation improvement program, Obstruction Pass boat launch, and Hunter Bay dock and boat ramp (No. 6 on the transportation improvement program).

The county road fund totals $11.4 million in 2015. The county maintains eight different docks with floats, eight boat ramps (three that are barge capable) and leases two outer-island moorage docks.

Although the road fund has been tapped in the past for maintenance and repairs, Hughes said state law had restricted use of gas-tax generated monies, either directly or through grants, exclusively for road-related projects. Even repairs or maintenance were somewhat of a “grey area” under existing law, he said.

While intended initially as an alteration that would have statewide impact, the bill was eventually tailored for only those counties consisting entirely islands, thereby affecting only Island and San Juan counties.

Hughes found an ally in state Rep. Kristine Lytton, D-Anacortes, who sponsored the bill, drew support from Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon, and from state Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, and from the Washington Association of Counties and Policy Director Laura Merrill as well. Twenty-one Republicans in the House voted for the bill.

“The cool thing was that we were able to pass this bi-partisan support,” Hughes said. “But it did take some time.”

Whether it be mooring buoys, boat ramps or access for residents of so-called outer islands, Hughes said that he would like to see the county be able to provide greater public access for boaters, when funding allows.

“It’s not like we’re in any position to go out and put in a whole lot of mooring buoys, but the law now give a clear definition of what the road fund can be used for and that allows us some flexibility.”