10 Shellfish Nurseries in Oakland Bay Marina Proposed by City of Shelton Ammendment to Draft Shoreline Master Program

The Mason County Journal reported that at a public hearing held May 6 the City of Shelton announced it was considering amending its draft of the updated Shoreline Master Program in order to allow up to 10 of Oakland Bay Marina's boathouses to be converted to shellfish nurseries. (see page 2/3 here for amendment) In the comments about the amendment it is noted there have already been 2 permits for conversion from public use to private commercial use, with 3 more being considered. The first reading of the proposed amendment and updated SMP will be held at the commission's May 28 meeting.

 

Oakland Bay Marina and Existing Nursery

(click to enlarge)

 

While City Planner Jason Dose felt the conversion was "a fairly benign use" he did acknowledge  they were "pushing the envelope" by suggesting 10 boathouses be converted. It wasn't clear whether there are any "liveaboards" currently using any of the boathouses and how they feel about the commercial operations.

 

Members of the public present expressed a variety of concerns, one being the conversion of that portion of the marina to private commercial use, preventing public access. Impacts on tourism was another area focused on as was the need to upgrade the infrastructure, with water pressure being described as providing "a teaspoon per hour." Commissioner Mike Olsen also pointed out that the Oakland Bay Marina is the only public marina in Shelton.

 

One alternative suggested was to add an additional float. Another suggestion may be to simply expand the nursery facility already in operation further away from the marina, near the Manke gravel barge loading area, already converted to private commercial use.

 

 

 

Shellfish companies covet the area as it has power, a necessity for "upwellers" used in nurseries, and it is adjacent to a public boat launch which they use for loading and off-loading equipment.

 

At the May 28 hearing, the City will explain how the amendment meets the first two goals from Chapter 3, "Shoreline Master Program Goals and Policies".

 

3.1 General Shoreline Goals

 

SMP1.1. Adequately protect and preserve shoreline areas from incompatible types and intensities of development. Reserve shoreline areas for water-related uses. [is growing shellfish in a marina a "compatible" development?]

SMP 1.2. Increase public access to shoreline areas by increasing the opportunities for the public to reach, touch and enjoy the water’s edge, travel on the waters of the state and view the water and shoreline from adjacent locations. [does removing 15% of the boathouses from public access increase opportunities?]

UPDATE: Public Hearing March 29 at 2PM: Chelsea Farms Proposes Shellfish Nursery in Shelton Marina

Update: A public hearing will be held Friday, March 29 at 2PM on the proposal by Chelsea Farms to place a shellfish nursery in a boathouse in the marina in Shelton Harbor. [click here for notice, scroll down to March 29 meeting] Location - 525 West Cota, Shelton

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Comments on SEPA DNS determination for Chelsea Farms conversion of a boathouse to a shellfish nursery are due March 21. Comments should be sent to Jason Dose at: jasond@ci.shelton.wa.us 

Mr. Dose may be reached at 360-432-5102.

Additional hearings will be held for other permits.

 

How will Chelsea Farms prevent contaminated shellfish seed from spreading that contamination to healthy bodies of water?

 

[click here for DOH report]

Location of proposed shellfish nursery facility.

DOH has classified the area as "Prohibited" due to

excessive fecal coliform levels. Elevated levels of

Dioxins exist in the sediments, disturbed by

boats at low tide. Considered?

 

 

Documents detailing impacts available at the City.

Environmental documents available for viewing include the SEPA checklist, Shoreline Permit and site plan. The City has determined there is no significant impact from the operation. It is unknown how Chelsea intends on preventing the spread of pathogens from contaminated shellfish out of the nursery into healthy waters. How the operation will impact the use of the marina by the Shelton Yacht Club and other recreational users, as well as other businesses in the nearby Shelton area is unknown. If Mystery Bay is any indication of how the shellfish industry feels about the risk of recreational boats near their facilities there may most likely be an impact on how this marina will be used, or not. (From a recent article on Mystery Bay: "The Mystery Bay plan also aims to protect harvestable shellfish beds by monitoring and maintaining boat numbers in the bay. The plan also calls for a “no anchor zone.” [click here] Note: This restriction on boating was implemented despite there being no elevated fecal coliform levels in the body of Mystery Bay, only a "presumption" of risk.)

 

House Boat Chelsea Proposes

Converting to a Shellfish Nursery 

(click to enlarge)



 

In an optimistic proposal for a floating shellfish nursery facility, Chelsea Farms has proposed purchasing one of the house boats at the Shelton Marina and converting it to a shellfish nursery. Oysters and clam seed (presumably including geoduck) will be grown out for later use in tidelands owned or leased by Chelsea. Permit applications have been submitted to the City of Shelton. Also included in the proposal are two upland parcels owned by the Port of Shelton which make up most of the parking lot. What level of staging or how much employee parking will take place is not clear from the Public Notice. How much contamination the "filter feeders" will pick up and then spread throughout the rest of Puget Sound is unknown. DOH has the area classified as "prohibited."

 



 

In addition to the SEPA determination (comments due March 21), a Shoreline Substantial Development permit and a Conditional Use permit are required. The latter two will require a public hearing, to be scheduled later.