What Geoduck Tariffs Mean to Puget Sound: Good Bye Honey, Things have Changed

Packin' Up, Movin' Out

Goodbye Honey Bucket

Will this really be missed?

(and did this mess get to where it was going?)

What could possibly go wrong?

According to recent press releases, geoduck farmers are "freaking out" over the recent 25% tariff imposed on geoduck grown in Puget Sound. The Chinese, in one action, may have done more to preserve and possibly restore Puget Sound's intertidal area than a decade of efforts from people concerned over the transformation brought on by PVC at planting and liquification of sediments at harvesting. While unknown whether it will last, what is becoming clear is some companies seem to be standing on thin legs and are at risk of failure.

Money for Nothin'

Kicks for Free

At the Expense of Puget Sound's 

Intertidal Habitat

(and your leased tidelands)

"You'll get rich. And, if not, well, they're your tidelands, not mine."

A recent opinion piece in the Seattle Time by Jim Gibbons, founder of Seattle Shellfish, stated prices have dropped 40% due to the tariff imposed. Worried about whether his business will be able to survive, he wrote he will be curtailing "growth" and cutting back on planting. Whether the cutting back and curtailments will occur on leased tidelands, whose owners were told of great wealth to come for doing nothing from these leases, or on tidelands privately held by Seattle Shellfish, was not made clear. What was made clear is that the founder of Seattle Shellfish is concerned about a breach in the moat which had surrounded this industry's model.

In the end,

aren't we all brothers?

Panopea japonica, Panopea generosa

"both nuclear genes revealed low genetic divergence 

between P. generosa and P. japonica"

North Korea's new secret weapon threatening the northwest: Panopea japonica?

In the piece penned by Mr Gibbons, he noted Puget Sound is not the only place the Chinese are able to source geoduck. He notes Mexico, Canada and North Korea as alternatives (not mentioned was New Zealand). In a 2015 study on genetic differences between "geoduck" from different geographic areas, the point was made that there was a "low genetic divergence" between geoduck from the northwest and Asia. So why would someone pay exorbitant prices for something grown in the US when close to the same thing, if not the same thing, is able to be grown and harvested in Asian waters? They won't. And for that reason, Mr. Gibbons, Bill Dewey with Taylor Shellfish, and a myriad of small operators,  rightly worry that in fact, a moat has been breached and things have changed.

Taylor Shellfish Seeks Responsibility Certifications on Puget Sound/Hood Canal Tideland Plots

Public meetings, July 26, 27 and 28 (see below).

Grow Out Bags:

Oysters responsibly grown?

(Totten Inlet)

Onwards and upwards in a responsible manner.
After achieving responsibility certifications on a limited number of tideland plots in a portion of south Puget Sound and Willapa Bay, Taylor Shellfish is seeking to expand the number of its plots
it may say are certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), an organization headquartered in the Netherlands. Prior to Taylor Shellfish, ASC had certified bi-valve farms in Chile, Peru, Japan and the United Kingdom. Its goal is to promote "...industry best practice to minimise [sic] the environmental and social footprint of commercial aquaculture..." allowing use of a label which "...promotes certified responsibly farmed products in the marketplace." Taylor seeks certification for oyster, manila clam and geoduck operations.

Jersey Oyster Farm: Industry best practice

to minimize the environmental and social footprint

of commercial aquaculture.

(United Kingdom)

We have a few questions for you.
Taylor Shellfish will use SCS Global to audit the farms and determine if they meet the standards Taylor Shellfish helped to develop and used by ASC, the Dutch organization, through the Aquaculture Dialogues. That audit includes site visits (which have already occurred) and public meetings (see below) at which those aware of them may provide input. A final draft report will then be developed which may be commented on over a ten day period, after which SCS Global will determine if the plots looked at meet ASC standards. (See here for reports on earlier plots approved in south Puget Sound and in Willapa Bay.)

Public is Invited to Provide Input July 26, 27 and 28 or on Draft Report (to be released)
Listed below are the areas where the plots are located and associated public meetings. Included is Burley Lagoon where Taylor is proposing a 25 acre geoduck farm. It is unclear whether any geoduck farms exist there at this time. No geoduck operation of that size currently exists anywhere in Puget Sound or Willapa Bay. Comments may be emailed to Juan Aguirre, JAguirre@scsglobalservices.com. If you would like to be notified of the release of the draft report, you may also email Mr. Aguirre and request to be notified.

Samish Bay Areas (see public announcement here)
Community Meeting 1 – Samish – July 26^th, 2016, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Mt. Vernon Fire Station #2 – 1901 N Laventure Rd, Mt. Vernon, WA

Plots in Samish Bay: Samish Bay, Samish West and Samish East. 

South Puget Sound Areas (see public announcement here)

Community Meeting 2 – SE Puget Sound – July 27^th, 2016 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Port of Allyn – 18560 E. SR 3, Allyn, WA

Plots in south Puget Sound: North Bay, Minterbrook, Burley Lagoon, Case Inlet, Harstine Island

Hood Canal Areas (see public announcement here)

Community Meeting 3 – Hood Canal – July 28^th, 2016 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Brinnon Community Center – 306114 US 101, Brinnon, WA

Areas of Hood Canal Plots: Dosewallips, Dabob Bay, Discovery Bay, Anna’s Bay 

If you net over $1 million/acre

and pay little to no taxes

you have disposable income.

It's not free, but little in sales is.

The cost to be able to use the ASC label includes the audit and then, depending on use, annual fees and/or royalties. It limits the use to those able to afford it and able to track their product. Whether it helps to differentiate the product enough to offset the cost(s) is unknown. What is known is Taylor and others are generating immense profits from sales of geoduck to China. t

Get involved. Attend a meeting or email your thoughts to Juan Aguirre at: JAguirre@scsglobalservices.com

July Starts with Minus Tides for July 4th

Low tide at

McMicken Island Marine State Park

A "tombolo" connects the state park

to Harstine Island at low tide.

Daylight mid-day minus tides start the month of July. Get out and see what's exposed when the waters of Puget Sound recede to one of their lowest levels. Temperatures are forecast to be in their 70's on the 4th when the lowest tide at McMicken Island Marine State Park will be -3.1, just after noon, at 12:15PM.

tide table from -

http://www.dairiki.org/tides/monthly.php/mcmk/2016-07

McMicken Island Marine State Park in

South Puget Sound

 At low tide a sand bar is exposed which connects

McMicken Island to Harstine Island.

McMicken Island Marine State Park

(note submerged "tombolo" connection

McMicken Island to Harstine Island)

You don't know what a treasure Puget Sound is if you don't get out. It's worth protecting because once it's gone you can't get it back.

Seattle Shellfish to Mason County - Oops, guess we didn't quite know what we were doing.

Who is managing who?

Mason County Taken for a Ride

Public Loses Access to Tidelands

These are the experts in geoduck farming? 2 years later, "we don't know yet".

In August of 2013, Seattle Shellfish began formally working on acquiring tidelands between McMicken Island State Park and Harstine Island from Mason County, with the intention of growing geoduck. When Mason County decided a land swap was not workable, work on arranging a lease for those tidelands began which culminated in an April 1, 2014 lease. The county would receive 15% of the revenues. Projections of $3 million to the county now appear greatly overstated with the analysis of the tidelands being greatly understated. As of July 14, 2015, all Seattle Shellfish is able to tell Mason County is they don't know how many tidelands are suitable to grow geoduck. The Mason County Journal reported July 16 it was less than half. Who is managing who?

No, you can't dig here anymore.

Thank you Mason County.

December 2013: Tim Sheldon explaining

to fellow commissioners how ex-Commissioner

Steve Bloomfield's Seattle Shellfish will make the

County $3 million growing geoduck with

the public losing access to those acres.

Screenshot from MasonWebTV, December 11, 2013

[see at - https://youtu.be/dl5-j7Zona0]

The public's use of these tidelands is of no value. Ex-Commissioner Bloomfield with Seattle Shellfish says you'll get $3 million. 

In December of 2013 Mason County Commissioners approved a resolution to lease 19 acres of prime public tidelands between McMicken Island State Park and Harstine Island. Long used by the public for digging shellfish and enjoying the intertidal experience of Puget Sound, ex-County Commissioner Steve Bloomfield with Seattle Shellfish laid out a revenue stream which the county would receive, quoting figures of $3 million dollars from revenues and $1,000 in annual acres leased. What could go wrong? 

This isn't quite what I thought it would be.

April 1, 2014: "So there's an estimate of $3 million." 

More or less. Commissioner Jeffreys to an attendee

of the Commissioner meeting.

Screenshot from MasonWebTV, April 2, 2014

[see at - https://youtu.be/zDK0m0IrZAM]

Entering into a lease on April Fools Day should have been warning enough.

Acting on the resolution passed in December, the county entered into a lease agreement with Seattle Shellfish April 1, 2014. At that meeting, Commissioner Jeffreys begins to back shuffle on the firmness of that $3 million in revenues. The illusion created by waving her hands belied just how weak that reality was and drove home why you should not enter into lease agreements on April Fools Day.

April 1, 2014: "It is an agricultural thing and 

in agriculture you never know what tomorrow

is going to bring." Seattle Shellfish's Steve Bloomfield

Screenshot from Mason WebTV, April 2, 2014

[see at - https://youtu.be/-mSGmnym1Js]

Seattle Shellfish is supposed to be an expert in this geoduck farming "agricultural thing". At least that's what they tell their investors and those they lease tidelands from.

At that same meeting, ex-Commisioner Steve Bloomfield with Seattle Shellfish began to explain why there may be cracks in the promises made. Pounding his fists together, Mr. Bloomfield explained to an attendee that some of the tidelands were "hardpan, like this floor." Mr. Bloomfield continued on to explain that Seattle Shellfish really didn't know how many acres could actually grow geoduck. Did the Commissioners then wonder just what it was they had entered into on April 1? Apparently not.

April 14, 2015: "Maybe a little bit of income

for the County over the years."

Ex-commissioner Steve Bloomfield w/Seattle Shellfish

Screenshot from Mason WebTV, April 15, 2015

[see at - https://youtu.be/23tjxtyHC18]

Yes, we've completely evaluated the sediments and habitat area and we know exactly where we are going to plant geoduck. At least on paper.

Despite the now apparent lack of awareness in just what tidelands were usable for geoduck, Seattle Shellfish forged ahead with permits. In those permit applications Seattle Shellfish was clear in stating they would be developing a geoduck farm on 19 acres. [corrected 7/19 - SS did note they were unsure of sediment types and what could be planted. Why approval was granted remains a question.]. Based on drawings submitted June of 2014, and information provided on the sediments and habitat by Seattle Shellfish, the Corps asked for an opinion from the US Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries Services. Based on that apparently flawed data, they approved a permit for the proposed 19 acre geoduck farm in December of 2014. As recently as April 14, 2015, Mr. Bloomfield was still assuring the county they were forging ahead and the county would be receiving a "little bit of income". Someday. How much that would be was no longer being stated as $3 million. 

The dog days of summer slow thinking down. 

July 14, 2015, ex-Commissioner Bloomfield stood before two Mason County Commissioners and explained Seattle Shellfish was wrong in estimating how much of the tidelands would be usable for geoduck. They were apparently unaware that the center of the lagoon area was a "catch basin" for aquatic vegetation which created anaerobic conditions in the sediments, which for an unexplained reason, were not compatible with geoduck aquaculture. Commissioner Sheldon, who originally extolled the benefits of the lease arrangement, was absent from the meeting. Ms. Jeffreys, instead of asking why it had taken Seattle Shellfish so long to determine their estimates were so wrong, thanked Mr. Bloomfield for keeping her aware. You may listen to ex-Commissioner Bloomfield explain the situation and the commissioners inability to question why things were now so understated by downloading this zip file, beginning at 5:55. Or simply shake your head and wonder who is managing who.

Get involved. The shellfish industry is.

Shorelines Hearings Board Affirms Permit for Taylor/Seattle Shellfish Geoduck Farm

Diagram of proposed geoduck farm

on tidelands owned by Taylor/Seattle Shellfish

and the Haley family.

Appeal by the Coalition is denied.
The Shorelines Hearings Board has affirmed the shoreline permit granted by Pierce County for Taylor/Seattle Shellfish to operate an 11 acre geoduck farm. In a decision dated May 15, the SHB determined the neighbors and Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat had not presented sufficient evidence to overcome that which was presented by the shellfish companies.

It may be my dog leaving things

on your lawn, but I'll pick it up.

Every week or so. What's the problem?

Looking in the woods for PVC does not mean it's not escaping from farms.
Numerous concerns were presented to the Board, including neighbors' concerns that the escapement of plastic PVC tubes was still not being controlled by the shellfish industry. The Board listened to testimony from the shellfish industry who stated their "beach cleanups" - held during times which all geoduck farms and most other farms are covered by water - do not find tubes or much other shellfish gear (is that a surprise?). The shellfish companies stated any tubes which escaped would be picked up by workers during their weekly "patrols" on private tidelands up to 1.5 miles away. It is the equivalent of saying a neighborhood dog who leaves droppings on other's yards can be dealt with by weekly visits to pick up what's there.

I have to count what?? When??

 

How high can you count?

While the SHB did affirm the permit approval, there was a condition it added. The shellfish companies will now be required to inventory all aquaculture gear, including tubes and netting used at the Haley farm. They will also be required to inventory that same gear when it is removed, and have added to it the amount retrieved during the "patrols". It will be a start to determining how much PVC and netting is not retrieved but instead remains in Puget Sound.

 

This bag is not connected to the others

so there is no cumulative impact.

No strings attached so no cumulative impacts.
Finally, the Board disagreed with the shellfish companies who believe cumulative impacts need only be considered if the project is "antecedent" to others. The companies logic is the equivalent of saying because one bag of PVC pipes is separate from the others the cumulative impact of all need not be considered. However, the Board also believes the County did do a "cumulative impacts analysis" when it considered existing and future farms, that there were no pending permits for farms to the north or south (either ignoring or not being aware of Taylor's pending permit to the south on Mr. Kingman's tidelands and others pending in Thurston County and proposals in Clallam County), and they reviewed the Biological Evaluation from Environ (whose principal, Mr. Reub, owns a geoduck farm).

Make a difference.
Get involved and stay involved. A small number of shellfish companies are transforming Puget Sound's tidelands to grow geoduck for the Asian market. Those who benefit disperse the money to well paid contract scientists, lobbyists, and attorneys to support their actions taking place. You can help by donating to the Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat.

 



 





Taylor/Seattle Shellfish-Haley Geoduck Farm Hearing: March 2-6

Aquaculture being "water dependent"

does not mean "anything goes"

in Puget Sound's critical marine habitat areas.

 

Area proposed for conversion

to industrial scale geoduck farm.

More geoduck for China.

Less marine habitat for native species.

 

March 2-6, Hearing Starts at the Shoreline Hearings Board Office at 9:00am

1111 Israel Rd SW, Tumwater, WA   98501

 

Coalition Experts  

Monday, March 2

  James Brennan (Puget Sound Nearshore Scientist/Restoration Expert)

  Jim Johannessen (Puget Sound Geomorphologist/Restoration Expert)

  Dr. Gary Ritchie-Lack of Rigor of Sea Grant Geoduck Science

  Jo Jensen-Real Estate Broker--Effect of Industrial Geoduck Aquaculture on  

       Waterfront Home Values

Tuesday, March 3

   Captain Charles Moore-World Renowned Marine Plastic Debris Expert

   Kirk Kirkland-Audubon

   Rob Darling-Real Estate Broker-Effect of Industrial Geoduck Aquaculture on waterfront home values

Pierce County Announces Hearing Schedules for Joint Seattle Shellfish/Taylor Shellfish "Haley" Geoduck Farm

The geoduck money machine just keeps rolling along.

 

Haley (Almond Roca) Family and

Seattle Shellfish/Taylor Shellfish Family

Geoduck Farm Hearings Scheduled

"Haley Farm" Proposal Continues Relentless

Expansion of Geoduck Farming into

Pristine South Puget Sound Tidelands

 



Shoreline Substantial Development Permit and MDNS Appeal

Contact: Pierce County Planner - Ty Booth

tbooth@co.pierce.wa.us

"Haley" Geoduck Farm Permit Hearings Scheduled

August 19, 2014 at 6:30PM (Shoreline Permit only)

Pre-hearing with the Key Peninsula Advisory Commission

17010 S Vaughn Road KPN

Vaughn, WA (near Gig Harbor)

 

September 17, 2014 at 9AM (Shoreline Permit and MDNS Appeal)

Permit Hearing w/Pierce County Hearing Examiner

Planning Meeting Room

2401 South 35th Street

Tacoma, WA

(Public Services Building annex, south entrance)

 

Parcels proposed for planting

11 acres

 

"Haley" Geoduck Farm Hearing

The Substantial Shoreline Development Permit hearing for a geoduck farm on tidelands owned by Seattle Shellfish and the Taylor Shellfish family, with adjacent tidelands owned by the Haley family has been scheduled before the Hearing Examiner on September 17, where the appeal to the SEPA MDNS determination will also be heard.  KPAC will have a separate hearing on August 19. The 11 acre site will be one of the largest new farms proposed with portions planted over a period of years. As Pierce County's Biologist noted in a letter last year:

About half the farm (5 acres) will be netted the first year, with the second half netted the second year. By the end of year two, eleven acres of netting will be present. All eleven acres will remain netted through the end of year three (likely longer if nets remain within the first area after the tubes are removed). So, potentially, for twelve to 18 months, eleven acres of shoreline will be under netting.

New geoduck farm proposals and leases

throughout south Puget Sound

under old Shoreline Master Programs

in three separate counties.

(see bottom of post for closer views)

 

Continued push to expand into south Puget Sound under the old shoreline master programs 

This geoduck farm proposal continues the push by geoduck farmers into the pristine tideland areas of south Puget Sound. Included as reasons for the press to expand operations before new and updated shoreline plans come into effect are that the new updated Shoreline Master Programs will require Conditional Use Permits, under which cumulative impact analysis will be required. At this point in time, there has been little to no consideration of the scale of tideland transformation which is occurring. In addition, new leases are being sought out as the current owners of geoduck companies do not have any more tidelands to develop. Only state, county and private party tidelands are now available to expand into.

[Note: On a separate matter, Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife is involved in updating its Hydraulic Code for the nearshore environment. It is accepting comments until August 15. For more information, see Sound Action's web site for details on what is proposed and how to comment.]

 

Ignore this picture. Tubes create habitat,

at least for a year. The rest of the time,

not so much.

Chelsea Farms Geoduck Harvest

 

SEPA MDNS Appealed by Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat - appeal to be heard at September 17 hearing.

Pierce County has issued a mitigated determination of non-significance SEPA determination on the Haley Farm. This MDNS determination has been appealed by the Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat. That appeal and associated documents may be found by clicking here. The appeal

is based in part on the lack of any meaningful cumulative impacts analysis which considers the transformation of tidelands which is occurring on a scale never considered.

Geoduck farm's PVC pipes,

44,000 per acre.

 

It's not grandpa Taylor's shellfish farm anymore
Geoduck farming is not what aquaculture was when the Shoreline Management Act was passed in 1972. While aquaculture then may have reasonably been considered a "preferred use" of Puget Sound's tidelands, the methods and scale of operations today was never anticipated. The shellfish industry continuing to cloak their operations under reports generated by industry paid "scientists" presented by well paid attorneys has been, to date, very successful. It will continue to be so unless people become involved.

It's not PVC, it's "structure" for seaweed,

barnacles and crabs (shellfish industry

spokeswoman). At least for a year.

After a year, where does that PVC "habitat"

go when it's removed from the tidelands?

 

Mason County, Thurston County and Pierce County are all updating their Shoreline Master Programs - shellfish attorneys are helping to rewrite those regulations.
Pierce County  - Pierce County could help the process by updating when their public meetings will be going on. The current site did not note the most recent meeting nor the upcoming meeting. Current amendments which have been acted on may be found by clicking here.
Thurston County has begun the formal process but is not as far along as the others. However, the shellfish industry is most certainly working behind the scenes. The county's SMP update information may be found by clicking here. Until then, individual permits will be required. Neighbors should contact each other and their representatives to form a united front.
Mason County has been working on their update for some time now, with direct involvement from Arcadia Point Seafood and Taylor Shellfish for over 2 years now. The SMP update has not yet been approved. It may be found by clicking here. County Commissioners will be asked to vote on the proposed plan at some point, after which Ecology will consider their plan.

A transformation of Puget Sound's tidelands is occurring and it is occurring on a scale not seen before. Below are closeup photos of areas where new geoduck farms are currently being proposed. More on just around the corner.

 

30 acres - Taylor Shellfish

in Burley Lagoon

Pierce County

(Just another shellfish farm.)

 

~17 acres surveyed in Fishtrap loop cove

by Taylor Shellfish, geoduck leases

signed by some, opposed by others.

Thurston County

(Where do survey lines go?)

 

Sohn Realty on Zangle Cove has signed

a lease for a geoduck farm with

Arcadia Point Seafood. Acreage is unknown

as a survey is in progress.

Thurston County

(Will that help sell real estate?)

 

20+ acres - Seattle Shellfish lease

from Mason County, adjacent

to McMicken Island State Park

Mason County

(Will that help the state park?)

 

11 acres - Seattle Shellfish/Taylor Shellfish/Haley

"Haley" geoduck farm proposed

Pierce County

 

 

 

 

Pierce County/Haley Geoduck Farm: Coalition and Neighbors Appeal MDNS Decision

Location of the proposed 11 acre "Haley" geoduck farm

on tidelands jointly owned by Taylor Shellfish family,

Seattle Shellfish, and those of the Haley (Almond Roca) family.

 

The Coalition To Protect Puget Sound Habitat and neighbors of a proposed 11 acre geoduck farm on Case Inlet have appealed the Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) issued by Pierce County. It was felt the lack of analysis by Pierce County which preceded the MDNS decision would set a dangerous precedent for all of Puget Sound. Issues included such things as the large size of the farm; the lack of a clear indication of how the farm would be planted and harvested; and, little to no consideration of the current expansion of geoduck farming which is occurring and will occur in Puget Sound.

The appeal decision - a $2,900 investment in the future of Puget Sound
Unlike the past, it was strongly felt that not appealing the MDNS would set a dangerous precedent for all of Puget Sound. While an appeal fee of $2,900 had to be paid, the alternative of doing nothing would have left the door open for shellfish attorneys to claim, as they have in the past, that because "nobody appealed the MDNS" any environmental concerns should not be considered in the permitting process. It is an investment in the belief that the future of Puget Sound is in balance.

Overview of the Haley farm's location,

just north of Herron Island.

 

Access to tidelands is denied - "trust us"
Part of the decision rested on the fact that the Taylor family, Seattle Shellfish, and the Haley family refused to grant access to the tidelands to help scientists determine what was there. In the past, shellfish attorneys have stated because expert witnesses did not visit the specific site their testimony should be discounted if not ignored. Now, when given the opportunity to show that the contract scientists hired by the shellfish industry were, in fact, correctly analyzing the habitat, the shellfish industry denies access. Instead, they take a "trust us" attitude because their well paid contract scientists have been there.

Department of Natural Resources'

"Herron Lake" lease proposal,

south of the Haley farm. 



Pierce County, and other counties, cannot operate in a vacuum - a current weakness in the Shoreline Management Act
Also at issue is the fact that Pierce County feels it is only obligated to look at what is occurring in Pierce County. In fact, south Puget Sound's habitat spans three separate counties with three separate approaches to how its tidelands are developed. Pierce and Thurston County both require permits, some more stringent than others, both complained about by the shellfish industry. Immediately to the west, Mason County has chosen to virtually ignore any regulatory oversight of geoduck farming, as seen in this permit note to Arcadia Point Seafood, with similar letters sent to others in the industry:

wrote letter to applicants, Steve and Vicki Wilson, cc'd DOE and Corps, approving proposal without need for SDP [shoreline development permit] or letter of exemption.

Minterbrook Oyster owner Kent Kingman's

 unpermitted developments.

Even Pierce County is challenged by shellfish growers - Minterbrook Oyster owner Kent Kingman's unpermitted bulkheads, shellfish operation and old data
Despite Pierce County's permitting requirements, even shellfish growers make regulatory oversight difficult with unpermitted activities. Within the Coalition's Shoreline Master Plan update submittal to Pierce County is a settlement agreement between Kent Kingman, current owner of Minterbrook Oyster, and Pierce County, for unpermitted developments on his shoreline property at the south end of Herron Island. Included is a major unpermitted shellfish operation; bulkheads; decks; and a dam blocking a stream which created a lagoon (see above and page 9 of the document). Currently, Taylor Shellfish has applied to operate the shellfish farm. Part of the application to resolve the violation incudes an 8 year old (2006) review done for both the DNR site and Mr. Kingman's, hoping to address the "Critical Fish and Wildlife Review." The report was done by Bioaquatics, owned by Dan Cheney, also employed by the Pacific Shellfish Institute. It does not appear any of the above was considered in the decision process which determined the outcome of the MDNS which the Coalition is appealing.

"You too can get rich!"

Really?

The tideland rush
Added to the above is a current rush by shellfish growers to lock up as many tidelands as possible for as long as possible. Industry is out of tidelands leaving only private and public tidelands left. Waving promises of great riches before tideland owners who are, for the most part, naïve of the long term consequences of their signing on the dotted line, shellfish growers lock them in to long-term leases with a small percentage paid to them. Not discussed is who will clean up the mess when this "geoduck bubble" crashes. It is not a matter of if, only a matter of when.

Support the Coalition and Case Inlet Shoreline Association
You can help the Coalition in its drive to protect Puget Sound's habitat as it was meant to be with a donation to the Case Inlet Shoreline Association (CISA). CISA is a 501c3 organization so donations are tax deductible. More important is the future Puget Sound which you will help create.

Pierce County Issues Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance for Seattle Shellfish/Taylor Shellfish Geoduck Farm

[Update 4/23: Ms. Meaders no longer works for Environ. She is currently employed by Confluence Environmental Company.]

 

>11 Acre "Haley" Geoduck Farm

SEPA Determination is Issued

(click here for decision)

 

Comments Due April 29th

Staff Contact: Ty Booth - tbooth@co.pierce.wa.us Phone - 253-798-3727

Director: Dennis Hanberg - dhanber@co.pierce.wa.us

(If affirmed or modified: Appeal Date - May 13th)

 

 

Location of proposed farm

 

"Mitigated" Determination of Non-Significance issued (MDNS)



Pierce County's planning department has issued a MDNS for an 11 acre geoduck farm proposed by a partnership between Seattle Shellfish and Taylor Shellfish. This partnership of the two largest intertidal geoduck farmers leaves little doubt of whether the current industry is controlled by a few companies. The minimal conditions contained within the SEPA determination leave little doubt of their influence.

 

>11 Acres of netting and tubes

 

Let industry set the conditions and manage oversight

The first "condition" contained in the SEPA determination allows the industry to determine its own oversight based on whatever they determine is the "most current version" of their own "Environmental Codes of Practice." Nothing in the conditions requires anything currently contained in their ECOP to be a condition of the permit. Should the industry decide they have "practices" which are too restrictive they may simply re-draft their ECOPs. 

 

Predator netting over tubes.

MDNS would allow up to 11 acres.

After tube removal netting is replaced.

 

Predator netting may remain for as long as industry wants, covering as much as industry wants

Condition 5 notes netting may remain in place for as long as geoduck are "vulnerable." Nothing requires netting to be removed at any time nor is there any limit to how many contiguous acres may be covered at any one time. In an October 1, 2013 letter to Ms. Meaders, then with Environ the Pierce County biologist expressed concerns about the fact that 11 acres will be covered by canopy netting. In the letter it is noted:

The Haley project is not proposing individual nets and considerably more than one acre will be netted at any one time. As such, based on the information available to us we can’t agree with the BE that the potential for the impacts discussed are insignificant. Please address this concern in a revised BE or stand-alone letter. [It is unknown what, if anything, was submitted to Pierce County to address this concern. Nothing in the SEPA determination requires limited planting.] 

 

 

Cumulative impacts, local: Proposed DNR leases and subtidal geoduck

The MDNS does not mention DNR has proposed leasing intertidal areas to the south nor does it fully consider the subtidal geoduck tract adjacent to the proposed farm. While only probabilities, activities in all areas create a far larger action area where harvesting may occur simultaneously. [For an idea of what dive harvesting and subtidal harvesting activities result in, see this Youtube video.] Nothing in the conditions limits when harvesting activities may occur, creating the possibility of a large simultaneous harvesting event which has never been considered nor its impacts studied.

Seattle Shellfish proposed hatchery on

Harstine Island, west of proposed farm.

Cumulative impacts, Mason County proposals
Adding to the cumulative impacts and not considered is the recent permit application from Seattle Shellfish in Mason County for their new upland shellfish hatchery and recent 19 acre lease of tidelands from Mason County. The hatchery, located directly west from the proposed farm is intended to increase the amount of seed available to the geoduck industry, and perhaps give Seattle Shellfish the opportunity to become less dependent on other seed suppliers (although partnering with Taylor Shellfish puts this in question). The recent 19 acre parcel between McMicken Island State Park and Harstine Island leased by Seattle Shellfish, is south west only 3 miles. Currently geoduck farming in Mason County is basically unregulated by the County, its being considered "aquaculture."

 



Fishtrap Loop in Thurston County

Taylor Shellfish Leases and Surveys

for future geoduck farms.

Cumulative impacts, Thurston County proposals
To the south in Thurston County, Taylor Shellfish has been active in permit applications for new geoduck farms and in surveying and leasing activities for future permit applications. Fishtrap Loop has seen a number of leases signed and surveys plotting out tidelands to plant. The Lockhart parcel to the east was recently approved, along with the Thiesen parcel (applied for by Arcadia Point Seafoods).
 

  

Sand Dollars - Just another "pest" 

(click  here to read of all the "pests" to the industry)

Freedom to plant wherever needed without worry of native species
Also contained in the October 1 letter to Environ were concerns Pierce County's biologist had about moving native species, some considered little more than "pests" by the industry. [click here for a current industry "pest" document] Specifically mentioned in the letter were tube worms and sand dollars. In spite of the biologist stating his "expectation" would be no planting in areas of native species which could not be moved, there is nothing to prevent it nor anything on how species should be moved and/or replanted.

From our review of the site, and from previous projects, it appears unlikely that there will be any need to move things around, but with that said, if there is some area of sand dollars or tube worms or some other natural feature that can’t be planted around or relocated, the expectation is that you will simply not plant that area.

"Financial guarantees" are only good

if you're still in business.

 

 

Financial guarantees should the market collapse 

A minor plus in the MDNS is the requirement for a "financial guarantee" of $1/tube should the geoduck market collapse and industry participants find it is not financially worth their while to remove the tubes and netting. Unfortunately, a "financial guarantee" will mean little if a company has gone bankrupt.

 

Comments on cumulative impacts are important

As anyone involved in the oversight of the geoduck industry has seen, a favorite tactic of the shellfish attorneys at permit hearings is to state "a SEPA determination was made and was not appealed." It is a critical step in assuring Puget Sound's shorelines are protected as the Shoreline Management Act intended. Waiting to rely on the Shorelines Hearings Board to determine whether additional conditions should be required is a risk which in the past has, for the most part, resulted in decisions in favor of this growing and invasive industry. Commenting on weaknesses in a SEPA determination helps ensure adequate protections are in place.



 



Mason County Lease With Seattle Shellfish: You Don't Always Get What you Want

 "We'll do our best to make sure Mason County

 is compensated more than adequately."

Ex-commissioner Steve Bloomfiled

 

It just may be less than what you've been told.

 

19 acre parcel leased to Seattle Shellfish
hard pan, Subtidal, unknown

(map from Department of Natural Resources)

 

"It's just an estimate..."As reported by Mason WebTV, the Mason County commissioners recently leased 19 acres of tidelands to Seattle Shellfish for geoduck production. At the meeting, Commissioner Jeffreys again stated the estimate of $3 million every 6 years to justify leasing some of the few public tidelands available in south Puget Sound. She was clearly wise to now emphasize it was "just an estimate".

 

...based on something we don't know.

At that same meeting Steve Bloomfield, past County Commissioner and employee of Seattle Shellfish, began to put that number into question. Mason WebTV records him beginning to backfill the number of acres available for production. He noted that some of the tidelands were "hard pan", some were useable, and some he was not so sure about. Based on the Department of Natural Resource's map it may be far less than anyone expected.



 

$1.5 million is almost $3 million isn't it?

As seen in the image above, of the 19 acres which the county owns, approximately 50% of it is subtidal. Because those acres were never cultivated they cannot be cultivated now, leaving perhaps 10 acres available for planting. As Mr. Bloomfield pointed out, some of that is "hard pan" and not useable. Optimistically, if 8 acres are able to be planted, Commissioner Jeffreys' $3 million estimate suddenly deflates to a number most likely closer to $1.5 million (assuming 44,000 2 pound geoduck per acre are harvested and sold at $15/pound).

 

Who gets to clean up?

 

Geoducks, internet stocks and tulips - speculative markets always collapse. This time it's not different.

The promise of "getting rich" from geoducks has already been put in question after China banned their import from the United States, a ban still in effect. The revenues generated have attracted attention from around the world, increasing supply to a limited demand. New Zealand is testing direct marketing of geoduck to China. Canada is proposing opening its entire western coast to harvesting and cultivating geoduck, detailed in its Integrated Geoduck Management Framework plan (comments are due April 19). Locally, Tribal entities and others are questioning why the vast subtidal tracts harvested by the state are not being replanted as state forest lands are. Geoduck growers are attempting to lock up tideland leases for decades - 32 years in the case of Mason County - through leases which hold them responsible for little should they go out of business.

But you promised me...
It is not sustainable, and as Mason County is finding out, after signing, "the promise" is deflating before its eyes. Private tideland owners and those involved in financing the geoduck industry are wise to question just who "...is being compensated more than adequately." And who will pay to clean up the mess.

 

 



Mason County Signs 16 Year Lease with Seattle Shellfish for Geoduck Cultivation

"You never know what tomorrow's going to bring."

Past Commissioner Bloomfield, w/Seattle Shellfish

 

Tidelands Leased by Mason County

to Seattle Shellfish for Geoduck Farming

 McMikken Island State Park on the right
Washington State Parks and Recreation on the left
 

19 acres leased for 16 years, with an option for another 16 years - acres useable unknown
Mason WebTV has reported the Mason County commissioners have signed a 16 year lease with Seattle Shellfish for a 19 acre tideland parcel between McMikken Island State Park and Harstine Island to grow geoduck on. The lease terms contain an option for an extension of an additional 16 years. The tideland area had been previously used by the public visiting McMikken Island State Park or the adjacent land on Harstine Island owned by the State of Washington Parks and Recreation. It is expected that once Seattle Shellfish begins planting geoduck access to the tidelands will be restricted.

Geoduck Planting with PVC Pipes

Tidelands useable are unknown
At the public hearing, past commissioner Steve Bloomfield with Seattle Shellfish described the tidelands as not all being suitable for geoduck cultivation. He notes some of it as being "hard pan, like this floor," some it as "very good," with the remainder being described as "we don't know yet." He went on to assure the county that whatever was done would be transparent.

 

Just an estimate - based on?

(for video click here)

 

Commissioner Jeffreys: $3 million plus $1,000/acre planted - based on an unknown

Despite the unknown number of acres which will actually be available for cultivation, and of those what actually gets planted and when, Commissioner Jeffreys announced at the meeting that the county would be receiving an estimated $3 million dollars every 6 years. This figure is based on her describing the lease terms as being $1,000 per acre planted and 15% of the gross proceeds. Given Mr. Bloomfield's being unable to say how many acres actually useable puts in question how she was able to obtain the $3 million "estimate."

 

Taylor Shellfish's ~15 acre geoduck farm in Hammersley Inlet.

Appraised at $2,035, taxes collected = $21/year

 

 

Taxation of tidelands when they are converted to geoduck or shellfish production

As Commissioner Sheldon noted at the meeting, perhaps some tidelands held by Mason County could be leased in order to generate revenue for the county. Perhaps what the commissioners should consider instead is having their assessor value those tidelands put into production of geoduck or shellfish at what their real value is. So doing would most likely generate sums far greater than the currently unknown the county has committed to. Higher property taxes may also bring pause to current tideland owners who believe they will become as wealthy as the current owners of shellfish companies are becoming, at the expense of Puget Sound's tidelands.