HomeMy WebLinkAboutTaylor Shellfish Geoduck Aquaculture - SHR Letters / Memos f
T1}/lOC 130 SE LYNCH ROAD, SHELTON, WA 98584 PHONE: 360.426.6178 FAX: 360.427.0327
1V W W.TAYLORSH ELLFI S H . 0061 ORDERS@TAYLORS H ELLFIS H . COM
Shellfish TO BE KEPT IN THE
Farms
PAR L L FILE
October 5,2009
Kell McAboy,Land Use Planner
Mason County DCD
411 N. 5th/P.O.Box 279
Shelton,WA 98584
Subject: Taylor Shellfish Floating Geoduck Nursery
Dear Kell:
I am attaching a diagram and specifications for our new geoduck nursery system. This system
replaces the current"kiddie pool" system we applied for last year.
This proposal addresses several elements. Specifically and primarily we are answering the
concerns expressed in the letter from Department of Ecology as a result of our initial
investigation conducted by Environ, Inc. While we believe the questions and concerns raised by
our preliminary research could have been addressed by re-designing our intertidal proposal,we
have decided that the best approach for us at this time is to move our nursery from the intertidal
area to a floating subtidal location.
As you know we have an approved Shoreline Substantial Development Permit and Conditional
Use Permit for a subtidal mussel farm off of Deepwater Point in Totten Inlet wholly located in
Mason County. Our proposal is to remove one mussel growing unit which is approximately 30'
X 90' and replace it with a 30' X 60' geoduck nursery float. Essentially,this reduces the overall
visible surface area as well as the shellfish biomass.
We will be seeking an amendment to our existing mussel farm lease from State Department of
Natural Resources and have already approached the proposal with them. Additionally,we have
discussed this with the Army Corps of Engineers and will be submitting a Preconstruction Notice
on our authorized mussel growing activity under Nationwide Permit 48 to include geoduck.
I am sending you this initial request and attached diagrams and documents so that you can begin
your review of the proposal. We are seeking a minor revision amendment to our shoreline
approval. We believe the reduction in both floats and biomass are consistent with the revision
criteria. We also believe our proposal is consistent with the Shoreline Guidelines that require
local jurisdictions to provide latitude and flexibility to aquaculture development proposals.
TAYLOR SHELLFISH CO. TAYLOR RESOURCES INC. TAYLOR TIMBER INVESTMENT CO. TAYLOR RESTAURANTS INC.
Ms.Kell McAboy
October S,2009
Page 2
I will be following up with you to discuss additional details relative to the design and answer any
questions you might have.
Thank you for your consideration of our proposal and your cooperation as we continue to work
toward a permanent solution.
Sincerely,
c
Diane Cooper
Taylor Shellfish Farms
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MASON COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SHORELINE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1971
PERMIT FOR SHORELINE MANAGEMENT
Type of Action(s) Case #: SHR92-0018
{*) Substantial Development Permit Agency: MASON COUNTY
{+�} Conditional Use Permit Issued: 02 9 3
( ) Variance Permit Expire: 5-
Pursuant to RCW 90.98, A permit is hereby granted/denied to:
TAYLOR UNITED, INC SE 130 LYNCH RD SHELTON WA 98584
to undertake the following development: 16 raft units and up to 4 longlines
for suspension and culture of blue mussels . Floating aquaculture to grow blue
mussels.
upon the following address:
PARCEL#: 319172201010
ADDRESS: . . . . . .
LEGAL: TR 1 N 1/2 NW NW FS 14468:A
Within TOTTEN INLET and/or its associated wetlands.
The project will not be within shorelines of state-wide significance
(RCW 90.58.030) .
The project will be located with a conservancy designation.
MASTER PROGRAM PROVISIONS & SPECIAL CONDITIONS
This permit is granted pursuant to the Shoreline Management Act of 1971 and
nothing in this permit shall excuse the applicant from compliance with any
other federal, state or local statutes, ordinances or regulations applicable
to this project,but not inconsistent with the Shorline Management Act
(Chapter 90 .58 RCW) .
This permit may be rescinded pursuant to RCW 90 .58.140 (7) in the event the
permittee fails to comply with the terms of conditions hereof.
CONSTRUCTION PURSUANT TO THIS PERMIT WILL NOT BEGIN OR IS NOT AUTHORIZED
UNTIL THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF FILING THE FINAL ORDER OF THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT WITH THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY AND THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL, OR UNTIL ALL REVIEW PROCEEDINGS INITIATED WITHIN THIRTY
(30) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF SUCH FILING HAVE TERMINATED.
No permit authorizing construction shall extend for a term of more than five
(5) years. If actual construction of a development for which a permit has
been granted has not begun within two years after the approval of the permit
by the Board of Commissioners, the Board shall, at the expiration of the
two-year period, review the permit, and upon a showing of good cause, extend
the permit for one year. Otherwise, the permit terminates: provided that no
permit shall be extended unless the applicant has requested such review
and extension prior to the last regular meeting of the Board coming before
the permit expiration date.
r.
a q�
DATE Authorized Local Government Official
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS SECTION FOR DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY USE ONLY IN REGARD TO A CONDITIONAL
USE OR VARIANCE PERMIT.
Date received,by Department of Ecology
Approved Denied
This Substantial Development Permit with Conditional Use/Variance is
approved by the Department of Ecology pursuant to Chapter 90.58 RCW.
Development shall be undertaken pursuant to the following additional terms
and conditions:
Date Authorized Dept. of Ecology Official
SHR_PRMT, rev: 03/24/92
January 20, 1993
TO: Mason County Shoreline Advisory Board
FROM: Planning Staff
SUBJ: Taylor United Mussel Rafts - Substantial development and
Conditional Use Permit.
STAFF REPORT
I. INTRODUCTION. This report evaluates a floating aquaculture
proposal to grow blue mussels in Totten Inlet.
II. APPLICANT. The applicant is Taylor United. The representative
is Tom Hettinger.
III. LOCATION. The system will be anchored just north of
Deepwater Point in Totten Inlet between the -27 and -31 foot bottom
contours, approximately 450' seaward of the OHWM. SE Quarter of Sec
14, Twn 19 N, R 3 W.
IV. PROJECT DESCRIPTION. Thirty by thirty (30' X 301 ) rafts are
linked in groups of three (one raft per unit) . There will be
sixteen units, with a 40' space between raft units. The rafts will
be constructed of fir lumber. Floatation for the longlines will be
plastic buoys. There will be up to 50 buoys per longline and 30'
between each longline.
Both rafts and longlines will be anchored with concrete blocks. One
ton concrete anchors, used on either side of each raft unit and
longline. Blue mussels will grow from 15' long culture ropes which
are suspended from the rafts. The bottom of the raft units to be
located 271 - 31' above the floor of Totten Inlet. Depending upon
loading, rafts will vary from 1 to 2 feet above the water surface.
The total area used for the project is 660' X 600' or
396, 000 square feet which includes the anchors and longlines. The
total area used and visible on the surface is 400' X 100' or 40,000
square feet.
V. EVALUATIONS.
A. Characteristics of the site. The site is currently unused
for aquaculture. The proposals western, boundary to be 450' offshore
from the OHWM. The upland property is Rural in character with only
occasional residences along the waterfront. Most of the waterfront
in the upland vicinity is still in timber. The site has been a
proven as a good mussel growing area.
B. Characteristics of the area. There is a large mussel growing
operation (longlines) located 200' south of .this project (Kamilche
Seafarms Co. ) Dahma.n Oyster Company and Olympia Oyster Company are
also located in the immediate area,
C. Shoreline Designation. The upland shoreline designation is
Rural. The project is located within marine waters which are
designated as Conservancy (between one and ten fathoms) .
VI. SEPA COMPLIANCE. A Determination of Nonsignificance was
issued on December 24, 1993. Comments were received from the Dept.
of Ecology and the Mason County Economic Development Council
regarding this determination. Comments are attached.
VII. OTHER PERMITS. This permit also requires Hydraulic Project
Approval from the Washington State Department of Fisheries.
Approval from the Army Corps of Engineers is required as well as a
County Building Permit.
VIII. CONCLUSION. The Aquaculture Chapter 7.16.020 guides in the
review of this proposal. The proposal appears to consistent with
all policies and use regulations of the Mason County Shoreline
Master Program Aquaculture Chapter. Applicable Policies are as
follows:
#1 - "Potential locations for aquaculture practices are relatively
restricted due to specific biophysical requirements such as water
quality, temperature, substrate, dissolved oxygen, and salinity.
Priority should be given to aguaculture uses in areas having a_hieth
potential for such uses. " The area has been proven as a good mussel
growing area. The applicants have taken all biophysical
requirements into consideration for growing the mussels.
#2 - "The County should strengthen and diversify the local economy
by encouraging aquaculture uses. " Taylor United has stated in
their application that the reason for requesting the development
was that they must diversify their product line if they are able to
survive as a business. There is a growing demand for mussels, and
they are amenable to culture. Taylor United has the hatchery
technology to produce mussel seed, and experimental data shows they
can expect excellent growth rates in Totten Inlet.
#6 - "Aquacultural practices should be operated in a manner that
allows navigational access to shoreline owners and commercial
traffic. " This appears to be an ideal location for the project in
that it will not create a navigational problem for either shoreline
owners or commercial traffic. There is little recreational traffic
and the only commercial traffic is most likely from other
aquaculture activities.
#9 - "Maximum effort to protect water quality should be made in
areas with high potential for aquaculture and current aquaculture
areas which have been identified as sensitive areas. "
Use Regulations from the Aquaculture Chapter which apply to this
proposal are as follows:
Consistent with policy ##6, Use Regulation #4 states that
"aquacultural practices shall be located and conducted so as to
provide reasonable access to waterfront property owners and along
the shoreline. "
Use regulation #10 states that °aquacultural structures shall be
placed in such a manner and be suitably marked, so as to minimize
interference with navigation. " There will be- over 200 buoys
attached to the longlines. The Coast Guard may require flashing
strobe lights on the four corners. This should prevent any
navigational hazard to recreational boaters in the area who may be
unfamiliar with this operation and the operation adjacent to it. •
Use Regulation #8 states that "Aquaculture structures and fisheries
enhancement activities shall, to the greatest extent feasible with
regard to the economic ability of the operation and protection of
the environment be located, designed and operated so that native
plant and animal populations, their respective habitats and the
local ecological balance are maintained. " The applicant has stated
that "the sea bottom below the proposed site, is essentially a
desert. " Please see Appendix A, Benthic Survey taken on November 6,
1992 .
Use Regulation #9 states that floating aquaculture structures shall
not duly detract from the aesthetic qualities of the surrounding
area. The area has historically (ie: 100+ years) been used for
shellfish culture and the proposed site is within 200' of an
established mussel farm. The site can be easily accessed and is
near Taylor United's processing plant/headquarters in Shelton.
It is staff's opinion that the proposal will not duly detract from
the aesthetic qualities of the area. Rather, it is a positive
addition to the already aesthetic quality of the area which is
capable of sustaining shellfish operations.
Comments were received from -Jay Hupp of the Economic Development
Council expressing support and enthusiasm for the applicant' s
potential contribution to economic growth and employment
opportunities and for it' s contribution to enhanced water quality
as well. The letter states that "by expanding aquaculture
operations under the sponsorship of oysterman whose livelihood
depends on clean water, we guarantee an increasing interest and
effort toward clean water in Mason County. It may also be noted
that this project is in concert with the letter and spirit of the
Aquaculture and Land Use Section of the proposed Southeastern Mason
County Sub-Area Plan. ,,
Because the proposal is within all of the guidelines of the
Aquaculture Chapter of the Master Program, staff recommends
approval of the permit with the following conditions:
1) (per Use Reg. #10) Applicant shall maintain structures and keep
them suitably marked so as not to create any interference with
navigation.
2) (per Use Reg. #13) Aquacultural discards shall be disposed of
in such a manner that will not degrade associated shoreline.
3) (per Use reg. -#14) Equipment, structures and materials shall
not be abandoned in the shoreline area.
IX. CHOICE OF ACTION.
1. Approve Substantial Development and Conditional Use Permit. +
2 . Deny Permit.
3 . Conditionally approve permit.
4. Postpone for further information.
GBM