Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat Files Petition to Delete Japanese Eelgrass as a Class C Weed

The Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat has filed a petition with the Noxious Weed Control Board to remove Japanese Eelgrass from its Class C weed classification. [click here for petition] Previously classified as a Priority Habitat Species by Fish and Wildlife, through Taylor Shellfish lobbying the Director of Fish and Wildlife removed the species from the PHS list (see emails below). So doing allowed the Noxious Weed Control Board to then have it classified as a Class C noxious weed.

Initially limited to commercial clam beds in Willapa Bay, further lobbying by shellfish growers pressed the NWCB to expand the classification to all of Washington State's marine waters, including Puget Sound. Despite their advisory board recommending the move not be put in place and there being only hearsay of manila clams being "smaller" they approved the expanded classification. This strategic move has in turn allowed the shellfish industry to press the Department of Ecology to allow the spraying of the indiscriminate herbicide Imazamox.

Conflicts are seen at multiple levels, including the County level where Pierce County is now being pressed by shellfish attorneys in permit decisions to exclude Japanese eelgrass from consideration in permitting. [click here for response letter] Pierce County has taken the position that Japanese eelgrass provides important  habitat functions and is important to protect. The shellfish industry does not like being told what to do.

WDFW email on why "industry leader Bill Dewey"

(Taylor Shellfish) would like Rep. Brian Blake

to "refrain from proposing legislation"

as it would involve public hearings.

(click to enlarge)

 WDFW email with Bill Dewey

(Taylor Shellfish) "for your eyes only"