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Department of Ecology News Release - November 21, 2007
07-347
Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet Nov. 26
OLYMPIA – The state committee charged with developing recommendations for
shellfish aquaculture regulations will hold its fifth meeting on Nov. 26, 2007,
in Lacey.
The Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee will meet Monday from 10:45
a.m. to 4:45 p.m. in the Ecology Headquarters Building, Room ROA-36, 300 Desmond
Drive S.E., Lacey.
Monday’s meeting will include:
- Presentations and discussions about the current regulatory system and
possible improvements.
- An overview of federal aquaculture permits requirements and issues.
- How new shellfish requirements might fit together with existing
Shoreline Management Act requirements, including possible regulatory gaps.
- The framework and content of the committee’s December 2008 report to the
Legislature.
Time for public comment is included at the end of the committee meeting.
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 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. The department estimates
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 (char461@ecy.wa.gov)
Tom Clingman, shorelands and environmental assistance, 360-407-7448 (tcli461@ecy.wa.gov)
For more information:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shellfishcommittee/index.html
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