Ecology to engage interests to update industrial stormwater permit

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - May 1, 2008

08-103

Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet May 5

OLYMPIA – The state committee charged with developing recommendations for shellfish aquaculture regulations will hold its 10th meeting on Monday, May 5, in Lacey.

The Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee will meet from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Ecology headquarters auditorium, 300 Desmond Dr. S.E., Lacey.

Topics for Monday’s meeting include possible recommendations for:

Shellfish bed site preparation.
Devices designed to ward off predators.
Collecting data and keeping records.
Adaptive management.

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 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 University of 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 (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