Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Aug. 27

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Department of Ecology News Release - August 22, 2007

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Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Aug. 27

OLYMPIA - The state committee charged with helping examine shellfish aquaculture regulations will hold its second meeting next week in Olympia.

The Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 27, from 12:45 to 4:30 p.m. in the John L. O'Brien Building, House Hearing Room A, 504 15th Ave., Olympia.

Topics at next Monday's meeting include follow up on the committee's ground rules, presenting additional background about state shellfish aquaculture regulations, providing information about research contracts, and discussing an upcoming symposium. Time also will be allotted for public comment.

There are 14 committee members representing the shellfish industry, environmental community, shoreline property owners, local and tribal governments, and the state departments of Agriculture, Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources.

The 2007 Legislature established the committee to:

Develop recommendations for an integrated regulatory process for all current and new shellfish aquaculture projects. The review process includes applicable federal and state permitting processes. The committee will report its initial recommendations and findings to state lawmakers by Dec. 1, 2007.
Advise the Department of Ecology on new geoduck aquaculture guidelines to assist local Shoreline Master Program updates. These guidelines will be adopted by rule into Ecology's Shoreline Master Program guidelines. Ecology anticipates the rule process will occur from about mid-2008 to mid-2009.
Oversee the intertidal geoduck scientific research program. The committee will advise the Washington Sea Grant Program on research topics and priorities, and ensure that research meets planning, permitting and data management needs.

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Contacts: Curt Hart, media relations, 360-407-6990; cell, 360-480-7908 Tom Clingman, shorelands and environmental assistance, 360-407-7448

For more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shellfishcommittee/index.html