Taylor Shellfish on Fudge Point State Park

     Not in My Back Yard

Help suport the creation of Fudge Point State Park
 by sending an email to
Steve.Hahn@parks.wa.gov


Fudge Point:  State Park or Geoduck Farm?
(click to enlarge)


Taylor Shellfish is clear in its opposition to the creation of

Fudge Point State Park

Diane Cooper:  Aquaculture is Incompatible

How a proposed 6 acre shellfish farm may prevent the creation of a 255 acre waterfront state park. 

Diane Cooper with Taylor Shellfish:  "I don't know how much use that park would get. But it's true that there are areas where shellfish farming and high density or high use areas and high use transient population areas probably aren't compatible uses. The shellfish farm activity and proposal has been in the works long before the acquisition of Fudge State Park was ever discussed. I would submit that there's a vested interest by us certainly in that property to continue to move forward with shellfish farming and if that doesn't happen there's certainly opportunity and options to talk."  How generous.

Forgotten by Ms. Cooper is the fact that Taylor Shellfish has not received permits for their proposed geoduck farm. Even if a permit is issued there is no guarantee it won't be appealed, putting off any farm potentially for years.  In the mean time, a window of opportunity to create one of the state's great parks is closing.

Also forgotten by Ms. Cooper is the fact that residential development of Fudge Point and its upland areas have been proposed for a far longer period of time than Taylor Shellfish's geoduck farm.  Ralph Scott, in 1991 had Fudge Point surveyed into lots and a road system, including a pedestrian easement from the high tideline to the extreme low tideline.  Its development has been discussed for years.  It is Taylor Shellfish who is the newcomer.

Taylor Shellfish acquired these tidelands knowing full well development in one form or another would happen.  Any investor - whether the state trying to create a state park for future generations or someone trying to create a housing development - has been put on notice by Taylor Shellfish and their 6 acre geoduck farm:  "Not in my back yard."

Taylor Shellfish has now stated in no uncertain terms what has been obvious for years and what they have dismissed as "NIMBYism":  Industrial aquaculture has become incompatible with other shoreline uses. Will they now withdraw their proposal for a 58 raft mussel farm in Totten Inlet where residents have lived for generations? Will they cancel their geoduck farm leases on tidelands in front of shoreline owners who were there far longer than Taylor Shellfish was?  Unlikely.

When will Taylor Shellfish accept the fact that this body of water is named "Puget Sound" - not "Taylor Shellfish Sound"?