HomeMy WebLinkAboutAP09 Ltr re Abandonment 01-24-2024JEFFERSON COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
621 Sheridan Street | Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-379-4450 | email: dcd@co.jefferson.wa.us
http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/260/CommunityDevelopment
January 24, 2024
Jesse DeNike
Plauche Carr
1218 Third Avenue, Suite 2000
Seattle, Washington 98101
SUBJECT: Rock Island Shellfish/Robert Carson Aquaculture Proposal
Dear Mr. DeNike,
Jefferson County Department of Community Development (DCD) has received your letter dated December 21,
2023, in which you maintained that the county should not require a new shoreline permit for Rock Island Shellfish
Robert Carson). DCD has reviewed the request and has the following response.
The information presented in your letter makes it clear that aquaculture operations ceased 2017 and that what
remains in the intertidal area is derelict gear that has not been used since 2017. The definition of “abandon”in
JCC 18.25.100(1)(a) applies to any use or development that has ceased for more than two years, not just to those
that are non-conforming.
JCC 18.25.440(4)(b) addresses ongoing operations. Based on information in your letter, it is not possible to
reasonably conclude that the derelict gear has been used on an ongoing basis by anyone since 2017. The letter
clearly implies that the equipment was left onsite when Sea Garden ceased operations.
Finally, while aquaculture may be a branch of agriculture, the Jefferson County Shoreline Master Program
distinguishes between the two. The use that Rock Island Shellfish is proposing would be regulated under the
policies, prohibitions, and regulations for aquaculture.
At this point, there is insufficient information to conclude that this use has been ongoing since 1953. Therefore,
under Jefferson County Code, a new shoreline permit is required.
Regards,
Donna Frostholm
Donna Frostholm
Jefferson County DCD
CA received 08/05/25
EXHIBIT AP08