Shoreline Management Act rule updates available for public comment

Photo: Geoduck Farm in Zangle Cove in 2006.  These are ongoing operations.

For information about the Shoreline Management Act rule updates go to:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shorelines/smp/rulemaking.html
The draft rule changes will affect Ecology’s guidance on commercial geoduck aquaculture requirements in local Shoreline Master Programs. Several other housekeeping updates are also proposed.

Public Comment Period
Comments due 5:00 p.m. Oct. 18, 2010
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/1006018.pdf

The two faces of Taylor Shellfish

Photo:  Pulling tubes on a geoduck farm on Totten Inlet in 2006 -- part of the 20 some acres that were deemed a trespass of state owned land in 2009, requiring a substantial fine from Taylor. 

Touting their "environmental stewardship" in an opinion piece in the Olympian on August 19, 2010 , Bill Dewey, chief spokesperson for Taylor Shellfish, argues that "spatial planning" in Puget Sound should include growing shellfish as a protein for our region's diet, yet fails to mention that their most lucrative product, geoduck, is being sold primarily to the luxury food market in Asia.

While Taylor peddles its spirit of cooperation for plans that will enlarge their footprint Puget Sound, when it comes to common sense regulation at the county level, Taylor and Arcadia Point Shellfish cry foul and file lawsuits.  Following are the appeals by Taylor and Arcadia to the new Thurston County policy that deems geoduck farming substantial development requiring a Substantial Shoreline Development permit.

Taylor Shellfish Appeal
Arcadia Point Seafood Appeal #1
Arcadia Point Seafood Appeal #2

Sierra Club asks Taylor Shellfish to drop legal threats

Photo: Taylor Shellfish geoduck farm on Totten Inlet on July 30, 2007.

In a letter dated 8/19/2010 to Interested Parties, Morgan Ahouse of the Sierra Club denies Taylor Shellfish accusations of "slander, defamation and wrongdoing" on the part of activist leader, Laura Hendricks, and urges Taylor to drop its legal threats.  Key points of the letter include:

"This letter is to inform you that the Sierra Club is continuing to actively pursue our campaign to protect shoreline and nearshore habitat from the impacts of industrial aquaculture operations in Puget Sound. The health of Puget Sound, salmon and the organisms living within the Sound is closely linked to the health and viability of the nearshore environment in which commercial aquaculture operations are conducted. We continue to advocate for better regulation of the shellfish aquaculture industry so that commercial shellfish aquaculture operations are consistent with maintenance and preservation of Puget Sound nearshore habitat functions. The following specific goals are key to achieving more environmentally benign operations of shellfish aquaculture while we support recovery efforts:

"--Stop removal/destruction of native species and marine vegetation from our nearshore environment.
--Stop the introduction of plastics/PVC into our marine waters.
--Stop locating geoduck and oyster bag aquaculture in the nearshore.
--Stop the spraying of carbaryl and pesticides in the shoreline environment.
--Stop the permitting of large-scale aquaculture rafts in the subtidal zone.

"You may be aware that the Sierra Club received legal notice alleging that Sierra Club activists engaged in slander, defamation and wrong-doing. Our attorneys have thoroughly evaluated the allegations levied by Taylor Shellfish, and we have determined that neither Laura Hendricks nor any other Sierra Club activists have defamed or slandered Taylor Shellfish/industry or engaged in illegal or improper activities. Again, protection of the shoreline environment from impacts due to commercial aquaculture practices is a high priority for the Sierra Club and our activists. We appreciate the leadership role that Laura Hendricks has played in representing the Sierra Club on this issue. We recognize that our work and Laura Hendricks’ representation of our position have increased the public perception regarding the need for better regulations governing shellfish aquaculture practices, which may not be welcomed by the aquaculture industry. We have urged Taylor Shellfish to drop its legal threats."

Read the full text of the letter.

Allen Shellfish barge -- still there

Photo:

Brian Allen's geoduck barge anchored in Zangle Cove for the better part of the last four years and nearly continuously for the last two, in spite of the request by the Department of Natural Resources in 2007 to anchor the barge at the Boston Harbor Marina. Actually there is one barge at the marina, but the second barge is here. We guess Mr. Allen determined that technically, DNR was only referring to the first barge. Does Mr. Allen have a buoy permit for this barge?