Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ACS) Extends Comment Period on Taylor Shellfish Sustainability

November 30th: Comments may be emailed to Juan Aguirre at JAguirre@scsglobalservices.com

Should this be certified as "sustainable"?

PVC tubes used to grow geoduck

in Puget Sound for Chinese consumption.

Comments accepted through November 30
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has extended until November 30 its public comment period on the Draft Audit reports for Taylor Shellfish. ASC has audited three separate areas in which Taylor Shellfish has shellfish operations, names changing slightly as the process as moved forward. Included are Key Peninsula (includes Burley Lagoon), Samish Bay, and Hood Canal.

[Note: In addition to physical operations, personnel policies and corporate culture are also considered. The Draft Audit Reports found discrimination and harassment to be "major non-conformities" at Taylor . Problems called out included sexism, nepotism, and hours worked (see "Non-conformity" sections of all audits). Related, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Taylor Shellfish on September 28 for a related personnel problem (see EEOC lawsuit papers filed here). Whether ASC will accept changes proposed by Taylor while the government suit remains unresolved is unknown.]

Key Peninsula Operations, South Puget Sound

(Red arrows = current geoduck operations)

click on image to enlarge

[CLICK HERE for audit report]

Hood Canal Operations

click on image to enlarge

[CLICK HERE for audit report]

Samish Bay Operations

Skagit County

(click on image to enlarge)

[CLICK HERE for audit report]

Burley Lagoon: Demand Letters Sent to Pierce County and Washington State Attorney General From Coalition Attorney

If you ignore them they will not go away,

they will only become more focused.
 

 In the beginning:

"The purpose of this letter is to request that the Pierce County government [and Washington Attorney General] take action to strictly enforce current Pierce County regulations which prohibit any aquaculture activities on the shorelines of the State without a valid permit, and to impose the appropriate penalties that both State laws and Pierce County -regulations require, including prosecution of responsible Taylor Shellfish Company and/or its employees for a criminal misdemeanor pursuant to RCW 90.58.212." November 18, 2014 letter to Pierce County and Washington's Attorney General from Mr. Tienson

Demands for action will not go away

The Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat, Friends of Burley Lagoon, and concerned individuals have had their attorney send letters to the Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist, and Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy  demanding action be taken against Taylor Shellfish's unauthorized and unpermitted activities which have been occurring in Burley Lagoon since April of 2012. The letters were written by attorney Thane Tienson, with the law firm of Landeye Bennett Blumstein in Portland, Oregon, and detail how Pierce County has turned a blind eye to citizens' complaints about Taylor Shellfish greatly expanding operations within Burley Lagoon. (attachments referenced in the letters above are found here; individual letters are found by clicking on links above)
 

You wouldn't question grandfather would you?

When Pierce County was asked to produce permits which allowed Taylor Shellfish to expand activities within Burley Lagoon, Pierce County responded: "There are no formal permits to produce as this has been a use that has been grandfathered." For reasons detailed in the demand letters, Mr. Tienson states: "Only the first portion of this statement from PALS is supported by the facts..." (no permits). All Pierce County has on record of something being "grandfathered" is a 1988 letter written to tideland owner Mr. Yamashita (Western Oyster Company) which described "floating oyster culture." However, the letter also states: "should Western Oyster wish to expand the operation in Burley Lagoon, Pierce County will require the obtaining of all shoreline permits and approvals."

 

Just because your car had a current license when you parked it in a garage 5 years ago doesn't mean it's current now.

In December of 2007 Western Oyster stopped reporting any shellfish harvests to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, something it had done on a regular monthly basis between 1986 and December of 2007, after which nothing harvested from Burley Lagoon was reported until 2012, then by Taylor Shellfish. Washington law is clear in requiring shellfish growers to report their harvests, including registered farm numbers, names of shellfish harvested, and the amounts harvested. Mr. Tienson also notes Washington and County regulations are clear in stating if a "nonconforming use activity ceases for more than one year, any restarting of that activity requires issuance of a new permit under any new rules that thereafter were adopted (WAC 173-27-080; PCC 20.72.060)." Western Oyster ceased reporting any harvests after 2007. Taylor Shellfish cannot, 5 years later, start up a nonconforming activity without permits.

 

He waved his arm and said this is what you are buying. Oops, he didn't own it to sell.

When Taylor Shellfish was found to be growing geoduck on state tidelands in Totten Inlet which it didn't own, they claimed the seller of the tidelands told them it was theirs to sell. This excuse was dismissed by the Attorney General. Likewise, Taylor Shellfish cannot now claim they were an "innocent purchaser" under PCC 18.140.023(D) when they began leasing tidelands in Burley Lagoon.

 

We're just making it disappear or look different, so we don't need a permit.

Part of Taylor Shellfish's unpermitted operations in Burley Lagoon included dismantling many of the >45,000 square feet of floats in Burley Lagoon and replacing a minor amount. Taylor Shellfish did not have the luxury of simply telling Pierce County it was "still within the footprint and use of the historical exemptions." As Mr. Tienson's letter shows with clarity, any exemption which may have existed ended long ago. Pierce County chose not to act, despite citizen complaints of unpermitted activities.

 

Pierce County's gumshoe investigation, without shoes (or gum?).

In June of 2014, Pierce County concluded its investigation of complaints from citizens about Taylor Shellfish's unpermitted activities in Burley Lagoon. At its foundation lay the belief that Taylor Shellfish was already authorized to be in the Lagoon. Had the investigator put on his shoes and taken a walk he would have discovered, for reasons detailed in Mr. Tienson's letter, that Taylor Shellfish had no authorization, permits, nor use rights of any nature to be operating as they were and still are.

 

In the end
In summation, Mr. Tienson ends with this closure:
"In sum, Taylor Shellfish has no authorization or valid permits of any sort which would authorize it to be in Burley Lagoon for any reason, let alone for a large industrial-scale commercial geoduck farm. Pierce County Code and Washington State laws demand that its unlawful operations and activities be halted immediately, that it be required to remove its equipment and materials and floats from the Lagoon, and allow the Lagoon to begin the slow process of recovering to its original condition. Costs for the Lagoon's recovery should be borne by Taylor Shellfish, as required by PCC 18.140.050(G).

 

"Finally, since Taylor Shellfish is in violation of several provisions of State and County law. We also request that any evaluation activity by PALS personnel on Taylor Shellfish's geoduck permit application that is currently under review be halted immediately."

 

It is called Puget Sound, not Taylor Shellfish Sound for a reason

Puget Sound is a treasure providing habitat for a diversity of species, some found only in the northwest. It was not meant to be a habitat for a few large companies to transform, used to create a treasure chest for themselves.






 

Pierce County: Friends of Burley Lagoon Newsletter Notes Upcoming Meetings and Map

Taylor Shellfish is "troubled."

The Friends of Burley Lagoon has released its most recent newsletter of upcoming meetings of interest. Included is the October 6, County Council Committee on Community Development at which continued discussion of proposed amendments to the Draft Pierce County Shoreline Master Plan will occur. As noted in an earlier post, Taylor Shellfish had its attorney submit a 156 page document expressing why they were "troubled" about the proposed amendments covering aquaculture.

From the newsletter (which can be found by clicking here):

Monday, October 6, 2014, 1:30, County-City Bldg. Tacoma, 10th Floor Council room: County
Council Committee on Community Development - continued discussion of proposed amendments to
the Draft Pierce County Shoreline Master Plan. Plauche' and Carr, attorneys for Taylor Shellfish,
submitted a rebuttal to ALL amendments thus far that would put some controls over what happens on
Puget Sound shorelines. Audubon, Sierra Club, and FOBL members have responded. Paid parking up behind County City bldg. or free street parking

 

Pierce County Shoreline Master Program Update Meeting: July 21, 1:30

When - Monday, July 21
Where - County-City Building, Room 1045, 930 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma
What - Discussion of additional amendments to Pierce County's Shoreline Master Program update.

Onwards and upwards
Following a series of meetings at which Pierce County was challenged by shoreline owners and the conservative land use group "Freedom Foundation"  who felt a "taking" was occurring through proposed shoreline regulations,  Pierce County cancelled scheduled public meetings about their Shoreline Master Program update. The County felt there were too many pressures to deal with and amendments to address them could not be developed within the proposed schedule.

July 21, 24 amendments - let's try again
 The Community Development Committee has now re-scheduled a meeting for July 21 to discuss newly proposed amendments and presumably those proposed earlier. No voting will occur but comments will be accepted. The County web site currently lists 24 amendments. Previous public meetings which had been scheduled in the evening throughout the county in early evening times, more convenient for citizens to participate in, were canceled. The current meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 21, at 1:30PM.

Aquaculture - better hurry up and get them permitted now
Of the amendments listed there are X specifically noted as being related to aquaculture. Number 23 addresses monitoring. Number 21 would incorporate all aquaculture related amendments that were approved prior to consideration of Ordinance 2013-45s. Number 10, among other things, prohibits the use of pesticides in shellfish cultivation. Number 9 expands on the requirements for cumulative impacts analysis, including when they proposal takes place within an enclosed body of water (e.g. Burley Lagoon). Number 8 extends the non-conforming discontinued use period to three years from two.

Number 22: rights of the people
Included in the amendments is one introduced by Republican Jim McCune which states:

No person shall be deprived of property without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. 

It is unclear whether the perspective that the rights of the people should include the right to expect that the shorelines of Washington will be protected as the Shoreline Management Act provides and for which the counties are responsible.

Minus Tides, Warm Weather and a Full Moon - A rare opportunity to...

...find out why the Shoreline Management Act says:

 

"the shorelines of the state are among the most valuable

 and fragile of its natural resources"

 

Friends of Burley Lagoon have announced an opportunity to explore the low minus tides and warm temperatures this weekend. The minus tides will occur near noon on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. In between you can experience a rare "supermoon" rising in the east as the sun sets in the west. 

 

Saturday:

Time - 10AM to 1:30PM

Location -  1502 Lucille Parkway NW, Gig Harbor (Narrows Park)

This is sponsored in part by Harbor Wildwatch in Gig Harbor, will take place at Narrows Park in Gig Harbor, just off of the Narrows Bridge. Experts in the intertidal marine life will be on hand to help identify species and habitat important to all of Puget Sound.

 

Saturday and Sunday

An unorganized opportunity near Burley Lagoon is available at the boat ramp West of Purdy near where Highway 302 and Goldman Drive NW intersect. Parking is limited so plan ahead.

 

Supermoon Saturday - 9PM

Near 9PM, if skies are clear, look to the East and see why tonight's moon rise is being called "Super moon Saturday". It is one of three which will occur this year, tonight's being described as looking "30% brighter and 14% closer." For a video on why the "Perigee moon"  appears as it does, see a short video on Space.com.

 

Get out and experience the natural world. 

Final Pierce County Shoreline Master Program Meeting Schedule and Locations

NOAA and the shellfish industry are trying

to convince Pierce County politicians that this

is good for the intertidal tidelands of Puget Sound.

Plastic grow-out bags smother and scour the tidelands they

are placed on. "Habitat" created is destroyed at each harvest cycle.

This is not sustainable.

Meeting schedule is announced
Pierce County has announced its final schedule and the locations of Shoreline Management Program (SMP) meetings before presenting the final recommendations for the update to the Pierce County Council. That final hearing on April 22 will be preceded by 5 public meetings. Those meeting will be the last chance for the public to help direct how the intertidal habitat of Pierce County will be developed. How that tideland habitat will be protected for future generations is dependent on who has the largest influence on the political process in Pierce County. The Friends of Burley Lagoon and the Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat strongly encourage anyone concerned to become involved.

Public Meeting Notice
2014 Shoreline Management Program

Pierce County Community Development Committee
Councilmember Rick Talbert, Chair

Monday, March 3, 2014 – 1:30 p.m.
County-City Building, Room 1045, 930 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma, WA 98402
Thursday, March 6, 2014 – 5:30 p.m.
North Lake Tapps Middle School, 20029 12th Street East, Lake Tapps, WA 98391
Thursday, March 20, 2014 – 5:30 p.m.
Pacific Lutheran University, Scandinavian Cultural Center, 12180 Park Avenue South,
Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma, WA 98402
Thursday, April 3, 2014 – 5:30 p.m.
Peninsula High School – Auditorium, 14105 Purdy Drive NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Monday, April 7, 2014 – 1:30 p.m.
County-City Building, Room 1045, 930 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma, WA 98402

FINAL COUNCIL ACTION
Tuesday, April 22, 2014 – 3:00 p.m.
Pierce County Council – Final Hearing
County-City Building, Room 1045, 930 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma, WA 98402

For Schedule information and updates, visit www.piercecountywa.gov/council
For questions, call Mike Kruger, Council Senior Legislative Analyst (253) 798-6067
or Jenifer Schultz, Committee Clerk at (253) 798-6696 or (800) 992-2456

Beginning March 3, 2014, the Pierce County Council and its Community Development Committee will hold public meetings to take testimony on proposed amendments to the County's Shoreline Master Program and Development Regulations. Amendments to the County's Shoreline Master Program are mandated by the Washington State Legislature, through the Department of Ecology. A Pierce County Shoreline Citizen's Advisory Committee began working to establish a draft proposal in 2008. The proposal was considered by the Pierce County Planning Commission and forwarded to the County Council in October 2012. In 2013, a subcommittee of the Council's Community Development Committee recommended the Planning Commission consider additional changes suggested by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The Planning and Land Services Department has conducted an analysis and review of the initiated amendments and presented their findings before the Planning Commission. In October 2013, the Planning Commission forwarded their final recommendations that will be considered in the public hearings noted in the meeting schedule above.

Ordinance No. 2013-45
An Ordinance of the Pierce County Council Relating to the Pierce County Shoreline Master Program; Amending Chapter 1.22 of the Pierce County Code (PCC), "Pierce County Hearing Examiner Code"; Title 18 PCC, "Development Regulations – General Provisions"; Title 18A PCC, "Development Regulations – Zoning"; Title 18E PCC, "Development Regulations – Critical Areas"; Title 18H PCC, "Development Regulations – Forest Practices"; Title 18J PCC, "Development Regulations – Design Standards and Guidelines"; Adopting a New Title 18S PCC, "Development Regulations – Shorelines"; Repealing Title 20 PCC, "Shoreline Management Use Regulations" and the Shoreline Master Program for Pierce County as Originally Adopted on March 4, 1974; Adopting Findings of Fact; and Setting an Effective Date.

Shoreline Master Program Background: Pierce County has been regulating development along rivers, lakes and marine waters for over 40 years. The existing Pierce County Shoreline Master Program and Shoreline Development Regulations were adopted in the early 1970's following a referendum by the people of Washington State. The State law implemented by relying on existing regulations and local government is referred to as the "Shoreline Management Act of 1971" and is codified in Chapter 90.58, Revised Code of Washington. Implementing Rules are located in Chapter 173-26 and Chapter 173-27, Washington Administrative Code. In 2003, the Washington State Legislature amended State Law and established a schedule for all Counties and Cities to update their Master Programs. The Washington State Department of Ecology is responsible for administering shoreline management at the State level in partnership with local government. Ecology's web site for shoreline management is located at: www.ecy.wa.govlprograms/sea/shorelines.

The existing County Shoreline Master Program and Shoreline Development Regulations are codified in Pierce County Code - Title 20 and can be viewed online at: www.piercecountywa.gov/council.

Shoreline Master Program Components: Pierce County is obligated to manage shoreline development within 200 feet of all marine waters, rivers and streams with a mean annual flow of 20 cubic feet per second, lakes larger than 20 acres, wetlands associated with these waters as well as floodways and contiguous floodplain areas within 200 feet of the floodway.

State law includes a requirement that development result in "no net loss of shoreline ecological function." The law also includes criteria for shoreline vegetation conservation. Pierce County has proposed to comply with the law by establishing a shoreline buffer. These new buffer standards will not apply retroactively. For example, legally existing residential development is defined as a "conforming use" and will not be subject to new shoreline buffer requirements. Existing lawns, gardens and established landscaping may also be maintained within shoreline buffer areas.

All future development and redevelopment within shoreline jurisdiction will need to comply with the County's updated Shoreline Master Program. Typical examples of development that will be reviewed for compliance with the updated shoreline regulations include: residential development and associated accessory uses, docks, piers and floats, bulkheads and retaining walls, boat launching ramps, recreational development, marinas and aquaculture uses.

Property owners that have questions about the proposed changes to the shoreline regulations may contact Debby Hyde, with Planning and Land Services Department at dhyde@co.pierce.wa.us for a site specific analysis.

How to testify: You are encouraged to attend the public hearings and present comments regarding these proposed amendments. Please limit your testimony to 3 minutes. You cannot "give" your 3 minutes to someone else. If you have written materials to submit please provide 10 copies to the Clerk recording the meeting. All submitted materials become part of the official record and cannot be returned. Written comments can be provided at any time up to final adoption.

Web Page: www.piercecountywa.gov/council. Click on "Legislation" and then "Search all Legislation" and type in the key word "2013-45". The web page will provide access to the Ordinance and the Council's schedule for meetings on this Proposal. While the Council intends to adhere to the schedule provided in this notice, changes may occur. Use the web page or call the contact numbers above to obtain the latest information about meeting schedules.

Or follow this link: http://councilonline.co.pierce.wa.us/councilonline/proposal/proposal.htm?proposal_num=2013-45

Friends of Burley Lagoon Comments for Pierce County Shoreline Master Program Update



Correction: Email to tfairba@co.pierce.wa.us

 



Shouldn't this structure have required a permit?

What: Pierce County Shoreline Master Program update study session
When: September 18
Action: Email individual comments or support for comments below to the Pierce County Planning Commission, c/o Toni Fairbanks - tfairba@co.pierce.wa.us

*NOTE: EMAIL SHOULD BE SENT BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON, THE 17TH
**BE SURE TO REQUEST AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT YOUR EMAIL HAS BEEN RECEIVED

Friends of Burley Lagoon Request

Friends of Burley Lagoon's President Heather McFarlane has prepared the following comments on Pierce County's Shoreline Master Program Update. They reflect concerns of many in Pierce County and other Puget Sound counties that the protection of Puget Sound's shorelines should not stop at the high tide line. A passive shellfish industry in 1972 being considered a "preferred use" by the Shoreline Management Act when it was passed should not now give that industry carte blanche to develop the tidelands as it sees fit. (See Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat for general information.)

The Friends of Burley Lagoon have asked people to consider becoming involved in the Pierce County update process by sending in their own comments to the "study session" by September 17, or email the following message to:
Pierce County Planning Commission c/o Clerk, Toni Fairbanks

tfairba@co.Pierce.wa.us

"Ms. McFarlane's comments of 9/16/13 to the Planning Commission re the SMP,  represent my views as well and I wish my name noted in the record. I would also appreciate an email acknowledgment."   

Comments follow:

(click on image to enlarge)

 

 (click to enlarge)

 (click to enlarge)

 

 (click to enlarge)

Detienne Geoduck Farm Permit Receives a Second Hearing

May 2, 2013 at 10AM

Comments due April 10, 4:30PM
Email to: tbooth@co.pierce.wa.us
Disc of the new exhibits, $7 - call Ty Booth at 253-798-3727
(see email below)

A last second "document dump" of information

by the proponent may be reviewed by the public.

"Document dumps" must have time to be reviewed by the public.
On March 27 Pierce County's Hearing Examiner held the first public hearing on the Detienne subtidal and intertidal geoduck farm permit. At that hearing the proponent, in a last minute attempt to overwhelm the examiner, county and the public, performed what is kindly described as a "document dump." When the public complained about the last minute drop-off and asked for time to review the relevance of the material, the proponent's attorney objected. Fortunately for the public the Hearing Examiner agreed that there should be additional time to review both the last second information as well as information presented at the hearing.

 

Friends of Burley Lagoon newsletter provides a County email on the second hearing and a summary of the meeting.

Friends of Burley Lagoon members provide below a special newsletter which describes the meeting as well as the Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat's "Cycle of Loss" showing the net losses to Puget Sound habitat from geoduck farming.

 

Friends of Burley Lagoon

"Lagoon Links Extra"

March 28, 2014

 

Email from Pierce County Planner Ty Booth

(click to enlarge)



Meeting Summary

(page 1 of 3)

click image to enlarge

(page 2 of 3)

click image to enlarge



 page 3 of 3

(includes "Circle of Loss")

click image to enlarge

 

Become involved. The shellfish industry's immense profits being earned from geoducks are buying "science" and paying attorneys and public relation firms to define a "new environmental movement" which is undoing decades of work to ensure future generations may enjoy Puget Sound's diverse ecosystem. [click here for article on Seattle's past environmentalists being bought out by the coal industry]

Friends of Burley Lagoon Newsletter

Burley Lagoon, Purdy

Friends of Burley Lagoon (FoBL) have published their first newletter. FoBL was formed in response to concerns about habitat impacts from commercial shellfish farming activities being proposed by Taylor Shellfish who recently leased the 300 acres of tidelands from the Yamashita family. Those concerns are now focused on a proposed subtidal/intertidal commercial geoduck farm near the mouth of Burley Lagoon. If approved, it sets a precedent and opens the door for an easier approval of Taylor Shellfish's 30 acre geoduck farm within Burley Lagoon. Important dates for the upcoming public hearing on March 27 are noted, as are email addresses for various county officials involved.

Burley Lagoon Newsletter

(click on images to enlarge)

Pierce County Shoreline Master Program Meeting August 1

Reminder:
August 1 there will be a meeting at 6:30PM to discuss Pierce County's update to their Shoreline Master Program.
August 1, 2012 Peninsula High School
14105 Purdy Drive NW, Gig Harbor
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/pals/whatwedo/shoreline.htm
Get involved if you care about whether the shellfish industry should be regulated. Aquaculture may be a preferred use of the shoreline, but that does not mean corporate shellfish farmers should get a free pass to use whatever methods they wish at whatever hours of the day or night they want.

Burley Lagoon, Pierce County

Corporate claims that methods used are "no worse than a natural event" is no different than saying an open pit mine is no different than a flood. It is different. Waters recede and land recovers, open pit mining goes on and on with no recovery. Intensive aquaculture goes on and on with no recovery. It is not the same as a "natural event" no matter how many times lobbyists claim it is. Get involved. Corporate shellfish lobbyists are.

Important Reminders for Public Comments and Why Involvement is Important

Get involved in the public process. Corporate shellfish lobbyists have been shaping public regulations for years (see below).

 

Comments Due August 2 - Taylor Shellfish Wastewater Discharge Permit (~150,000 gallons per day of wastewater from Taylor Shellfish's processing plant near Shelton onto the ground where ground water seeps into Little Skookum Inlet. Nitrates, nitrites, chloride, sodium are all contained in the discharged water. See July 16 post for details)
Comments are due by August 2, 2012
email to - carey.cholski@ecy.wa.gov , referencing Permit ST 6157
Click here for Fact Sheet
Click here for Draft Permit

Taylor Wastewater Discharge Area

Comments Due August 21 - Pierce County Shoreline Master Plan (Important update to the land use document which will control where and how much tideland development by corporate shellfish companies will be permitted.)
Email comments due by August 21, 2012
email comments to Toni Faribanks at tfairba@co.pierce.wa.us
Copy to Pat Mcarthy at pmccart@co.pierce.wa.us
Click here for SMP information: http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/pals/whatwedo/shoreline.htm

Burley Lagoon, Pierce County

Get involved. Shellfish Politics are real and the shellfish industry is involved far more than you know. Some examples from corporate and lobbyist's documents follow: 

Regulations: Review current laws -local, state, federal and be involved in updating processes with the goal of simplifying.

NOAA: PCSGA requests that Congress urge NOAA and Commerce to include a National Shellfish Initiative with the release of their aquaculture policies and to support funding for implementation of the initiative.

Department of Ecology Guidelines: Due to significant participation by PCSGA and individual members in the stakeholder process, the new regulations retain Ecology's policies of protecting and providing preferred treatment of shellfish aquaculture, and contain use regulations that are significantly less stringent than those Ecology originally proposed.

Puget Sound Partnership: As a business representative on the Ecosystem Coordination Board, Bill Dewey [Taylor Shellfish Government Relations] continues to be engaged with them regarding the shellfish related actions including raising awareness that shellfish are critical to a healthy economy...

Shoreline Master Programs: PCSGA members are currently engaged in several SMP updates including efforts in Mason, Skagit and Jefferson Counties [and Pierce County].
Taxes:  ...the two bills that were introduced this week to extend the B&O tax exemption for seafood processing, (HB 2611 and SB 6342), while still important to the shellfish industry's processing sector, will not mean a B&O tax increase for shellfish producers who sell shellfish at the wholesale level.
Influence: Develop and maintain relationship with all levels of regulators.