— by Lovel Pratt —
The SJC Council is updating the Shoreline Master Program (SMP), with hearings beginning on November 30th. This update is this community’s opportunity to address requirements for future aquaculture operations in SJC, including the types of commercial aquaculture we don’t yet have.
There are two types of commercial aquaculture which would not be compatible with most SJC shorelines: fin fish net pens (for farmed Atlantic salmon) and commercial geoduck operations. Currently there are no fin fish net pens and no commercial geoduck operations in SJC, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be interest in establishing them here in the future. For the most part, SJC’s current commercial aquaculture operations are compatible with neighboring residences. Shellfish farms in San Juan County tend to be of a type and scale that fit with our rural shorelines. This is not true for many communities in Puget Sound where single family residences on the shoreline are impacted by fin fish net pens and commercial geoduck operations.
In addition to potential environmental impacts, fin fish net pens and commercial geoduck operations could impact property values. Permits for these commercial aquaculture operations don’t require ownership or the leasing of adjacent shoreline land. People buy shoreline and waterview properties in SJC with an investment-backed expectation that their shoreline access and marine views will remain largely intact. A geoduck operation’s PVC tubes are visually impactful, obstruct beach and water access, and there’s noise associated with the liquefaction used for harvesting. Fin fish net pen operations can include lights, noise, and odor. Both commercial operations could include vehicle traffic that use shoreline access road ends which would further impact rural neighborhoods.
The draft SMP update allows commercial geoduck operations in all shoreline designations except “Port, Marina and Marine Transportation” with a conditional use permit. SJC’s critical areas could potentially justify prohibitions and buffers, but this option has not been addressed.
The draft SMP would allow fin fish net pens in rural, urban, natural, conservancy, and aquatic shoreline designations with a shoreline substantial development permit. Island County is also in the process of updating their SMP. SJC should adopt language similar to Island County’s: “The County shall adopt a prohibition on new commercial fin fish net pen aquaculture operations to provide time for updated guidance addressing the protection of ecological functions and use conflicts.”
State law identifies single family residences and aquaculture (as a water dependent industrial and commercial development) as preferred uses in the shoreline, with no preference given to one or the other shoreline use. Tourism and real estate in SJC depend upon our beautiful shorelines and water views. The SJC Council’s update to the SMP should include every provision available to protect existing shoreline and waterview properties from future incompatible large-scale commercial aquaculture operations. The SMP must comply with state law and it can also protect the values and character of our islands community and this beautiful marine environment.
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Exactly where and when will these meetings be held? The idea of having a geoduck operation in “our” waters would turn me into a NIMFY (not in my front yard) very quickly! I’d like to know more. While on the subject, I’d sure like to learn more about the sea cucumber harvesters that have been very prevalent in the waters of Doe Bay, east to Sea Acres this past summer. Who monitors their catch? It seems they fish (or vacuum) for sea cucumber extensively around the kelp beds off Doe Bay, and this concerns me. How do I learn more? Please advise. Thanks.
TRacy; the SMP hearing is at 9 a.m. today! (Monday) with, hopefully, a hearing continuation on Wednesday Dec. 2. Both in Friday Harbor at the Council Chambers, across from the Courthouse.
Good question about the sea cucumber “harvesting.” the vacuuming around kelp beds seems concerning. I hope you get answers. Maybe contact Dept of Ecology Bob Fritzen with that question, or hopefully Lovel Pratt or someone from Friends of the San Juans can weigh in on that – if it’s considered an allowable practice to vacuum or sweep up the catch in and around kelp beds. Thanks for your attention to this.