This in from the South Sound..apparently the legal battle over geoduck farming needing Environmental Impact Statements is continuing in the appeal hearings. Given the controversy up here over Geoduck aquaculture, I thought you should all be aware of this.
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Pierce County issued a Determination of Non-Significance in May 2010 for the first application since 2006, opening the doors to intertidal geoduck feedlot expansion in Pierce County. The Case Inlet Shoreline Association and the Coalition To Protect Puget Sound Habitat have appealed this decision and the appeal will be heard starting on March 14, 2011.
The following scientists are requesting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be completed prior to further expansion due to the significant adverse impacts:
1. Dan Penttila–Retired Forage Fish Expert for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (38 years).
2. Wayne Daley–Restoration and Fisheries Biologist
3. Jim Johannessen-Geomorphologist-Coastal Geologic Services
4. Harry Branch-Restoration and Ecosystem Consultant
5. Dr. Steven Gilbert–Toxicologist
6. Captain Charles Moore- Expert Marine Plastic Debris Expert from Long Beach, California.
Captain Moore will be holding an event in Olympia on March 16 where he will be talking about marine plastic debris and his concerns about the shellfish industry introduction of PVC, nets and plastic bands in Puget Sound.