Our mission is to protect the habitat of Puget Sound tidelands from the underregulated expansion of new and intensive shellfish aquaculture methods. These methods were never anticipated when the Shoreline Management Act was passed. They are transforming the natural tideland ecosystems in Puget Sound and are resulting in a fractured shoreline habitat. In South Puget Sound much of this has been done with few if any meaningful shoreline permits and with limited public input. It is exactly what the Shoreline Management Act was intended to prevent.

Get involved and contact your elected officials to let them you do not support aquaculture's industrial transformation of Puget Sound's tidelands.

Governor Inslee:

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Japanese Eelgrass Eradication with Imazamox in Puget Sound

The Department of Ecology is proposing to allow the application of the herbicide Imazamox to Japanese eelgrass on commercial shellfish beds in Puget Sound and Willapa Bay.  Comments are due by March 9, 2012 at 5 pm.  They should be directed to:
 Kathy Hamel
Washington State Department of Ecology
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Telephone: (360) 407-6562
Email: Kathy.Hamel@ecy.wa.gov

Background  Until January of 2011 Japanese eelgrass was considered to be a Priority Habitat Species (PHS).  Growing higher in tidal elevation, it provides increased habitat for forage fish and is an important food source for migratory water fowl.  The shellfish industry requested Representative Brian Blake ask WDFW Director Anderson to remove Japanese eelgrass from the PHS list which he did in February of 2011. 

In November, 2011 the noxious board met in Yakima, WA. Numerous objections to classifying what had been a PHS were sent.  The Noxious Weed Control Board even noted "this species also appears to share similar structure and function to the important and protected native eelgrass, Zostera marina, although it occurs higher in the intertidal zone than the native species. It also appears to be a major food source for migrating shorebirds."  Despite this, the shellfish industry again prevailed.
Current Situation  With Japanese eelgrass now classified as a Class C Noxious Weed, the shellfish industry's desire to eradicate what had once been considered a Priority Habitat is one step closer.  But first, Ecology must approve a permit for the application of the herbicide Imazamox.  Comments will be accepted until March 9, 5PM.

Comment  Imazamox applied to eelgrass in Puget Sound's waters will not stay where it is applied but will drift with the currents, destroying whatever aquatic vegetation it comes in contact with. At what point is the shellfish industry going to be satisfied with what it has?  At what point will people notice Puget Sound's ability to support the diversity of species it once did is threatened?  We feel that point was passed years ago.

A pre-hearing to discuss why Japanese eelgrass
is now considered a noxious weed
will be held on February 24 at 10AM
(Note:  This is informational only and intended
to provide "stakeholders" the opportunity to meet.
It will not change the Class C categorization.)

PUBLIC NOTICE ON IMAZAMOX APPLICATION
Announcing the Proposal of a Japanese Eelgrass Management
on Commercial Shellfish Beds General Permit
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) is proposing to issue a general permit for the application of the aquatic herbicide imazamox to manage Japanese eelgrass on commercial shellfish beds.

These management activities may result in the discharge of chemicals to the surface waters of the state of Washington. We are requesting comments about whether or not it is appropriate for Ecology to develop a permit for this activity. This comment period ends March 9, 2012 at 5 pm. Please direct comments to:
Kathy Hamel
Washington State Department of Ecology
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Telephone: (360) 407-6562
Email: Kathy.Hamel@ecy.wa.gov
Posted by Protect Our Shoreline at 7:38 PM

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