Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Sept. 24

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Department of Ecology News Release - September 20, 2007

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Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Sept. 24

OLYMPIA - The state committee charged with developing recommendations for shellfish aquaculture regulations will hold its third meeting on Sept. 24 in Olympia.

The Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee will meet on Monday, Sept. 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the John L. O'Brien Building, House Hearing Room A, 504 15th Ave. S.W., Olympia.

Topics at Monday's meeting include final discussion of the committee's ground rules, presenting additional background about state shellfish aquaculture regulations, discussing an upcoming shellfish workshop, and comment on the Washington Sea Grant Program's request for proposals regarding geoduck aquaculture studies. Time will also be allotted for public comment.

The 14 committee members represent the shellfish industry, environmental community, shoreline property owners, local governments, tribes 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 recommendations and findings to state lawmakers by Dec. 1, 2008.
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-making process will occur from about mid-2008 to mid-2009.
Oversee the intertidal geoduck scientific research program. The committee will advise the 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