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Department of Ecology News Release - March 6, 2008
08-052
Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet March 10
OLYMPIA – The state committee charged with developing recommendations for
shellfish aquaculture regulations will hold its eighth meeting on March 10 in
Lacey.
The Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee will meet Monday from 9:15
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Ecology headquarters auditorium, 300 Desmond Dr. S.E.,
Lacey.
Monday’s meeting will include:
- A panel presentation about environment, fish and wildlife issues, and
potential guidelines for geoduck aquaculture. Topics will focus on forage
fish, eelgrass and macro algae, salmon and near shore habitats, and genetics
and disease.
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)
Perry Lund, shorelands and environmental assistance, 360-407-7260 (plun461@ecy.wa.gov)
For more information:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/shellfishcommittee/index.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
