Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet April 14

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - April 10, 2008

08-087

Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet April 14

OLYMPIA – The state committee charged with developing recommendations for shellfish aquaculture regulations will hold its ninth meeting on April 14 in Lacey.

The Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee will meet Monday from 9 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 marine birds, water quality, shellfish bed certification, and Geographic Information Service–based mapping.

Time for public comment is included after 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

Ecology’s Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov