Protect Henderson Inlet opposes the granting of a permit to Taylor Shellfish and Kyle Mazanti for the cultivation of 3.6 acres of geoduck clams on former Bush Tidelands off Johnson Point Loop in Thurston County. We believe that science to substantiate geoduck aquaculture is inadequate and that the practice conflicts with Washington State’s Shoreline Management Act. Although this project would be lucrative for Taylor and Mazanti, it would negatively impact Puget Sound and provide little benefit for the citizens of Thurston County in the way of jobs, tax revenue, or food production.
PHI does not oppose all aquaculture, but feels that reasonable limits must be present to protect the environment from over-utilization and industrialization of the waterfront. We have not opposed the oyster aquaculture project by Perkins Family Farm proposed for the adjoining tide-front. We do not at this time oppose the Washington State program for harvest of wild geoduck. We do advocate for changes in the Thurston County Shoreline Master Program that would encourage a more thoughtful approach to development based on best science.
There will be a public hearing on this permit, accessible by Zoom, on January 9th at 11am. PHI will be represented by a panel of speakers who will explain to the hearing examiner why we are opposed to the granting of this permit.
Details about the hearing are posted below. You may call in, attend by Zoom, or submit a written statement for the Hearing Examiner, Sharon Rice, to review. We encourage you to exercise your right to express your views. You may contact us if you have questions. Please see other sections of this website for more information about the threats to Henderson Inlet and the larger Salish Sea.
I’m told this is a better link to get to the information page than the one in the message below
Project Records – Hearing Examiner | Thurston County (thurstoncountywa.gov)
And this one will get you to the Zoom sign-in information:
Following is the public notice from Planning Department:
For the Thurston County Hearing Examiner
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Thurston County Hearing Examiner will hold a virtual public hearing on January 9, 2023 during the morning session beginning at 11:00 a.m. or shortly thereafter regarding the following project:
Project #: 2022103702 Taylor Shellfish/Manzanita Geoduck SSDP
Applicant: Taylor Shellfish, Erin Ewald
Request: Shoreline Substantial Development Permit for a commercial intertidal geoduck farming operation within a 3.6-acres area of tidelands.
Location: unaddressed tidelands
Legal Descriptions: OL 5-19-1W COM N MC S 22DEG W 9.17 CH SLY ALG ML 11.75 CH W .75CH W Known as Tax Parcel No. 93000100000.
This will be a virtual hearing held only via telephone and online webinar. To attend the hearing online go to ThurstonHearing.org. To attend the meeting via telephone or to have meeting instructions emailed to you, please contact Sonja Cady at 360-972-6901.
All interested persons are invited to present testimony relevant to the above-requested action(s). Public comment will be limited to five minutes per person, subject to Examiner discretion. If unable to attend virtually, written statements may be submitted by e-mail at sonja.cady@co.thurston.wa.us. Statements must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the business day preceding the hearing. Verbal and written testimony will be accepted at the hearing. Phone calls to staff are not considered part of the hearing record.
We encourage the public to submit comment prior to the meeting to the Land Use Clerk, Sonja Cady at sonja.cady@co.thurston.wa.us to be entered into the record. Please contact Sonja Cady by 5:00 pm the day before the hearing if you would like to give testimony, would like to be on the Decisions list to receive the decision, or would like to be a Party of record. You may also ask at the virtual public hearing.
Copies of the staff report regarding this project are available one week prior to the hearing. Any additional exhibits will be posted as received. Staff reports and additional Hearing Examiner information can be found online at the Thurston County Hearing Examiner website at ThurstonHearing.org.