HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEP2023-00079 Pickering Passage WADNR Checklist - SEP Application - 12/5/2023 / ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST RECEIVED
DEC 0 5 2023
Purpose of Checklist: OU W.AM'Sk"
The State Environmental Policy Act(SEPA),Chapter 43.21 RCW,requires all governmental agencies to
consider the environmental impacts of a proposal before making decisions. An environmental impact statement
(EIS) must be prepared for all proposals with probable significant adverse impacts on the quality of the
environment. The purpose of this checklist is to provide information to help you and the agency identify impacts
from your proposal(and to reduce or avoid impacts from the proposal,if it can be done)and to help the agency
decide whether an EIS is required.
Instructions for Applicants:
This environmental checklist asks you to describe some basic information about your proposal.
Governmental agencies use this checklist to determine whether the environmental impacts of your proposal are
significant,requiring the preparation of an EIS. Answer the questions briefly,with the most precise information
known,or give the best description you can.
You must answer each question accurately and carefully,to the best of your knowledge. In most cases,you
should be able to answer the question from your own observations or project plans without the need to hire
experts. If you really do not know the answer,or if a question does not apply to your proposal,write "do not
know" or"does not apply". Complete answers to the questions now may avoid unnecessary delays later.
Some questions ask about governmental regulations,such as zoning,shoreline,and landmark designations.
Answer these questions if you can. If you have problems,the governmental agencies can assist you.
The checklist questions apply to all parts of your proposal,even if you plan to do them over a period of time
or on different parcels of land. Attach any additional information that will help describe the your proposal or its
environmental effects. The agency to which you submit this checklist may ask you to explain your answers or to
provide additional information reasonably related to determining if there may be significant adverse impact.
Use of checklist for nonproject proposals:
Complete this checklist for nonproject proposals,even though questions may be answered"does not apply."
IN ADDITION,complete the SUPPLEMENTAL SHEET FOR NONPROJECT ACTIONS(Part D).
For nonproject actions,the references in the checklist to the words"project," "applicant,"and"property or
site" should be read as"proposal," "proposer," and "affected geographic area," respectively.
A. BACKGROUND
1. Name of proposed project,if applicable: Pickering Passage WADNR Lease 20-096483
2. Name of applicant: Taylor Shellfish Company
3. Address and phone number of applicant and contact person:
Erin Ewald
Taylor Shellfish
SE 130 Lynch Road
Shelton,Washington 9858
(360)432-3348
4. Date checklist prepared: November 2023
5. Agency requesting checklist: Washington Department of Natural Resources
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6. Proposed timing or schedule(including phasing,if applicable):
The culture of geoduck clams on an on-going rotational basis.
7. Do you have any plans for future additions,expansion,or further activity related to or connected with this proposal?
If yes,explain.
No.
8. List any environmental information you know about that has been prepared,or will be prepared,directly related to
this proposal.
Programmatic Biological Assessment,Shellfish Activities in Washington State Inland Marine Waters,
U.S.Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program,October 2015.Programmatic Biological Opinion,
National Marine Fisheries Service,September 2015.Programmatic Biological opinion for Shellfish
Activities in Washington State Marine inland Waters,U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service,August 2016.
Taylor Shellfish Environmental Codes of Practice
*While these documents were not compiled specifically for this site,the environmental information
gathered is relevant to the activities proposed at this site.
9. Do you know whether applications are pending for governmental approvals of other proposals directly affecting the
property covered by your proposal?If yes,explain.
No.
10. List any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, if known.
Tribal Notification
Aquatic Lands Use Authorization—Department of Natural Resources
Aquatic Farm Registration—Department of Fish and Wildlife
Commercial Shellfish License and Harvest Site Certification—Department of Health
Department of Ecology Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency Statement
Army Corps of Engineers Individual Permit Authorization(includes State 401 Review)
Department of Ecology 401 Water Quality Certification
Mason County—Conditional Use Permit
11. Give brief,complete description of your proposal,including the proposed uses and the size of the project and site.
There are several questions later in this checklist that ask you to describe certain aspects of your proposal. You do not
need to repeat those answers on this page. (Lead agency may modify this form to include additional specific information
on project description.)
This project is for the commercial production of shellfish on approximately 1.9 acres of intertidal land in
Pickering Passage.Geoduck clam culture activities will be considered under this review.For geoduck
production,mesh HDPE nursery tubes will be inserted into the substrate on approximately 15"centers.The
tubes extend from the substrate approximately 9",but can lay flat against the substrate.Four geoduck seed
are planted by hand in each tube.After the geoduck have matured for approximately 2 years,the tubes are
removed and grow out continues for another 3-5 years.During this period,area net may be temporarily
installed to protect the crop from predation.Net is secured every 25'with bent rebar inserted flush with the
surrounding sediment.Net is removed once predation pressure has reduced and geoduck can evade predators
successfully.Harvest occurs when the geoduck s reach marketable size(approximately 2 pounds).Harvest is
done using a hydraulic wand inserted into the substrate directly adjacent to individual geoduck.The animals
are gently removed from the substrate by hand and placed in baskets for transport by boat to the processing
plant in Shelton,WA.
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12. Location of proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise location of your proposed
project,including a street address,if any,and section,township,and range,if known. If a proposal would occur
over a range of area,provide the range or boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description,site plan,vicinity
map,and topographical map,if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency,
you are not required to duplicate maps or detailed plans submitted with any applications related to this checklist.
The activity will take place on tidelands located in parts of Section 18,Township 21 North, Range 1 West,
W.M.in Pickering Passage,Mason County.
B. ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
1. Earth
a. General description of the site(circle one):Flat,rolling,hilly,steep slopes,mountains,other
Gently sloping lower intertidal marine tidelands.
b. What is the steepest slope on the site(approximate percent slope)?
<2%.
c. What general types of soils (for example, clay, sand, gravel, peat, muck)? If you know the classification of
agricultural soils,specify them and note any prime farmland.
Marine substrate consisting of gravel and sand
d. Are there surface indications or history of unstable soils in the immediate vicinity? If so,describe.
Not applicable. Nearby uplands are low bank and listed as feeder bluffs on the WA DOE coastal landforms
database. Sediment drift flows left to right.
e. Describe the purpose,type,and approximate quantities of any filling or grading proposed. Indicate source of fill.
None.
f. Could erosion occur as a result of clearing,construction,or use? If so,generally describe.
No.
g. About what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project construction(for example,
asphalt or buildings)?
None.
h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion,or other impacts to the earth,if any:
Not applicable.
2. Air
a. What types of emissions to the air would result from this proposal(i.e. dust,automobile,odors,industrial wood
smoke)during construction and when the project is completed? If any,generally describe and give approximate
quantities if known.
There are short-term increases in generator or boat engine exhaust during portions of the operation. There are
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no long-term,permanent increases of air emissions as a result of this proposal.
b. Are there any off-site sources of emissions or odor that may affect your proposal? If so,generally describe.
No.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control emissions or other impacts to air,if any:
All equipment will have approved exhaust systems. Operations may be incorporated into existing work
schedules for other activities in the area to minimize potential impacts.
3. Water
a. Surface:
1) Is there any surface water body on or in the immediate vicinity of the site(including year-round and seasonal
streams,saltwater,lakes,ponds,wetlands)? If yes,describe type and provide names. If appropriate, state what
stream or river it flows into.+
Yes. These activities take place in the intertidal zone of marine waters located in Pickering Passage.
2) Will the project require any work over,in,or adjacent to(within 200 feet)the described waters? If yes,please
describe and attach available plans.
Yes. This project directly involves marine waters. These are shellfish beds located on tidelands and are subject
to ebb and flow of tides.
3) Estimate the amount of fill and dredge material that would be placed in or removed from surface water or
wetlands and indicate the area of the site that would be affected. Indicate the source of the fill material.
None.
4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions? Give general description,purpose, and
approximate quantities if known.
No.
5) Does the proposal lie within a 100 year floodplain? If so,note location on the site plan.
No.
6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface waters? If so,describe the type of waste
and anticipated volume of discharge
The activities associated with shellfish culture do not involve the discharge of additional materials into surface
waters.
b. Ground:
1) Will groundwater be withdrawn, or will water be discharged to groundwater? Give general description,
purpose,and approximate quantities if known.
No.
2) Describe waste material that will be discharged into the ground from septic tanks or other sources,if any(for
example: Domestic sewage; industrial,containing the following chemicals . . .;agricultural; etc.). Describe the
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general size of the system, the number such systems,the number of houses to be served ( if applicable), or the
number animals or humans the system(s)are expected to serve.
None.
c. Water Runoff(including storm water):
1) Describe the source of runoff(including storm water)and method of collection and disposal,if any(include
quantities if known). Where will this water flow? Will this water flow into other waters? If so,describe.
Not applicable.
2) Could waste material enter ground or surface waters? If so,generally describe.
Not applicable.
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control surface,ground,and runoff water impacts,if any:
Not applicable.
4. Plants
a. Check or circle types of vegetation found on the site:
deciduous tree:alder,maple,aspen,other
evergreen tree:fir,cedar,pine,other
_shrubs
grass
pasture
crop or grain
_wet soil plants: cattail,buttercup,bulrush,skunk cabbage,other
_water plants:water lily,eelgrass,milfoil,other
X other types of vegetation—marine algae
b. What kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered?
Bivalves consume marine algae for nutrition.
c. List threatened or endangered species known to be on or near the site.
None.
d. Proposed landscaping,use of native plants,or other measures to preserve or enhance vegetation on the site,if any:
Not applicable.
5. Animals
a. Circle any birds and animals which have been observed on or near the site or are known to be on or near the site:
birds:hawk,heron,eagle,songbirds,other:marine birds
mammals:deer,bear,elk,beaver,other:marine mammals
fish:bass,salmon,trout,herring,shellfish,other:
b. List any threatened or endangered species known to be on or near the site.
None known to be on the site, but there may be salmonid species that migrate through at high water.
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c. Is the site part of a migration route?If so,explain.
Salmonids may migrate through some of the site. Some migrating marine birds may pass through this area.
Forage fish(smelt)are mapped(WDFW)to utilize the beaches in the upper intertidal for spawning.
d. Proposed measures to preserve or enhance wildlife,if any:
There is evidence that shellfish culture,including geoduck farming,enhance habitat values and functions and
serve to mitigate impacts resulting from other activities that may occur in the vicinity.Conservation
measures are proposed and will be implemented as detailed in Programmatic Biological Assessment,
Shellfish Activities in Washington State Inland Marine Waters,U.S.Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory
Program,October 2015.
6. Energy and Natural Resources
a. What kinds of energy(electrical,natural gas,oil,wood stove,solar)will be used to meet the completed project's
energy needs? Describe whether it will be used for heating,manufacturing,etc.
None.
b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties'? If so,generally describe.
No.
c. What kinds of energy conservation features are included in the plans of this proposal? List other proposed measures
to reduce or control energy impacts,if any:
None.
7. Environmental Health
a. Are there any environmental health hazards,including exposure to toxic chemicals,risk of fire and explosion,spill,
or hazardous waste that could occur as a result of this proposal? If so,describe.
Minimal exposure to environmental health hazards from vehicle and boat operations and work being
conducted in marine waters.
1) Describe any emergency services that might be required.
Fire and ambulance services may be required in the event of worker accidents. Oil booms may be
required for broken lines or accidental spills.
2) Propose measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards,if any:
Risk of diesel or oil spill or accident is minimal and all precautions will be used for prevention.
Additionally,biodegradable oil will be used in the hydraulic systems. Taylor Shellfish has both a Central Safety
and Environmental Codes of Practice to guide managers and workers in safe and environmentally sound
operations.
Portable"Lug-a-loo"containers are used for human waste disposal while crews are working on tidelands.
b. Noise
1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project(for example:traffic,equipment,operation,
other)?
None.
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2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a short-term basis(for
example: traffic,construction,operation,other)? Indicate what hours noise would come from the site.
There will be no long-term,permanent increase in noise associated with these activities. Short-term
noise will increase in some areas at some times due to mechanical operations. However,harvest pumps
have been modified and housed to ensure minimum noise is emitted. Employees are trained to
minimize disruptive noise,especially during nighttime operations. Shellfish beds are managed according to
tidal fluctuations and can occur day or night.
3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts,if any:
Motors and pumps are muffled by approved exhaust systems,employees are trained to minimize
unnecessary noise,and all operations are conducted consistent with Taylor Shellfish Environmental Codes of
Practice.
8. Land and Shoreline Use
a. What is the current use of the site and adjacent properties?
The adjacent shoreward tidelands are used for shellfish culture and are privately owned. Some of
the uplands are developed for single-family residences. There is some open space in the upland
area.
b. Has the site been used for agriculture? If so,describe.
No.
c. Describe any structures on the site.
None.
d. Will any structures be demolished? if so,what?
No.
e. What is the current zoning classification of the site?
Rural residential,Shoreline Conservancy
f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site?
Rural residential,Shoreline Conservancy
g. If applicable,what is the current shoreline master program designation of the site?
Conservancy.
h. Has any part of the site been classified as an"environmentally sensitive"area? If so,specify.
No.
i. Approximately how many people would reside or work in the completed project?
Three to five workers will be needed to conduct planting and harvest activities. Monitoring is done by 2
person crews.
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j. Approximately how many people would the completed project displace'?
None.
k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts,if any:
None.
1. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land uses and plans,if any:
Aquaculture is a water-dependent use and encouraged under the Washington State's Shoreline
Management Act and Mason County's Shoreline Master Program. No permanent development will occur.
9.Housine
a. Approximately how many units would be provided,if any? Indicate whether high,middle or low-income housing.
None.
b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high, middle, or low-income
housing.
None.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any:
None.
10. Aesthetics
a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s),not including antennas;what is the principal exterior building
material(s)proposed?
No structures are proposed.
b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed?
None.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts,if any:
None.
11. UP&and Glare
a. What kind of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly occur?
Some activities will take place both in the daytime and the nighttime due to tides. When activities occur at
night, workers use headlamps and boats or barges use only lights necessary for safe operations. No
permanent lights will be necessary.
b. Could light or glare from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views?
No.
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c. What existing off-site sources of light or glare may affect your proposal?
None.
d. Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts,if any:
None.
12. Recreation
a. What designated and informal recreation opportunities are in the immediate vicinity?
There is very informal recreational boating and fishing in the area. Use of the adjacent tidelands is limited
for public use because they are privately owned.
b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so,describe.
No.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation,including recreational opportunities to be provided by
the project or applicant,if any:
None.
13. Historic and Cultural Preservation
a. Are there any places or objects listed on,or proposed for,national,state,or local preservation registers known to be
on or next to the site? If so,generally describe.
No.
b. Generally describe any landmarks or evidence of historic,archeological,scientific,or cultural importance known to
be on or next to the site? If so,generally describe.
None.
c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts,if any:
None.
14. Transportation
a. Identify public streets and highways serving the site,and describe proposed access to the existing street system.
Show on site plans if any.
Access to the site will be from a boat.
b. Is the site currently served by public transit? If not,what is the approximate distance to the nearest transit stop?
No.
c. How many parking spaces would the completed project have? How many would the project eliminate?
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None.
d. Will the proposal require any new roads or streets, or improvements to existing roads or streets, not including
driveways? If so,generally describe(indicate whether public or private).
No.
e. Will the project use (or occur in the immediate vicinity of) water, rail, or air transportation? If so, generally
describe.
Yes. The project site is accessed by boat.
f. How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed project? If known, indicate when peak
volumes would occur.
None.
g. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts,if any:
None.
15. Public Services
a. Would the project result in an increased need for public services(for example: fire protection,police protection,
health care,schools,other)? If so,generally describe.
In the event of an accident,emergency services may be required. Taylor Shellfish employees are well-trained
and adhere to all worker safety requirements.
b. Proposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services,if any.
Taylor's conduct quarterly Central Safety Committee meetings to ensure employee compliance with
all safety and emergency policies.
16. Utilities
a. Circle utilities currently available at the site:electricity,natural gas,water,refuse service,telephone,sanitary sewer,
septic system,other.
b.Describe the utilities that are proposed for the project,the utility providing the service,and the general construction
activities on the site or in the immediate vicinity which might be needed.
None.
C. SIGNATURE
The above answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the lead agency is relying
on them to make its decision.
Signature:
Reviewed by(optional): r
Title: v, &%s L,",n t� VS
Date: l l 30 /2v2,3
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