HomeMy WebLinkAbout021 12
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In the Matter of Support of Placing a Moratorium }
on Atlantic Salmon Fish Farms in }
the Coastal Waters of Washington State }
RESOLUTION NO. 21-12
WHEREAS, Both commercial and recreational native salmon fisheries are major industries in
Washington State; and,
WHEREAS, Millions of federal, state and local dollars have been spent over the past decade on
restoration projects throughout the coastal waters of the state in an effort to restore native salmon stock listed
as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act; and,
WHEREAS, Hundreds of citizen volunteers have donated thousands of hours toward the restoration of
native salmon runs; and,
WHEREAS, The Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) and its Action Agenda were created to expand and
enhance that restoration effort; and,
WHEREAS, The PSP's task, as proposed by Governor Gregoire, is to ~ "that the Sound will
forever be a thriving natural system with clean marine and fresh waters, healthy and abundant native species,
natural shoreline and places for public e~oyment and vibrant economy that prospers in productive harmony
with a healthy sound"; and,
WHEREAS, W AC-173-26-201 (3)(E)(iii) requires that County's Shoreline Master Program (SMP)
"shall achieve no net loss of ecological function and address the cumulative impacts on shoreline ecological
function that would result from future shoreline development and uses that are reasonably foreseeable"; and,
WHEREAS, All of the environmental challenges to aquaculture listed in NOAA's Draft Aquaculture
Policy (Feb. 2011), to wit "nutrient and chemical wastes, water use demands, aquatic anima] diseases and
invasive species, effects on protected and sensitive marine areas, potential competition and genetic effects on
wild species, effect on endangered or protected species, effects on habitat for other species, and use of forage
fish for aquaculture feeds", are all risks related to Atlantic Salmon Fish Farms; and,
WHEREAS, W ACI73-26-201 (2)(f) states that SMP's ''be designed to achieve overall improvements
to ecological functions over time when compared to the status upon adoption"; and,
WHEREAS, 173-26-201 (3)(f)(111)( c) States that Shoreline ecological functions in marine waters
include "removing excessive nutrients and toxic compounds"; and,
WHEREAS, The Highly contagious and lethal infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) Virus has been
discovered injuvenile Sockeye Smolt in British Columbia; and,
- 1 -
Resolution No.21-1tll Support ofP1acing a Moratorium on Atlantic Salmon Fish Farms in Puget Sound
WHEREAS, The virus discovered tested positive to the European strain onSA and is therefore almost
certain to have originated from Atlantic Salmon Fish Farms; and,
WHEREAS, No country has gotten rid of the ISA Virus once the Virus arrives; and,
WHEREAS, the Department of Ecology has determined Atlantic Salmon Fish Farms be allowed based
on WAC 173-26-241 that gives preference to water dependent use; and,
WHEREAS, WAC 173-26-020 defines "water dependent use" as a use or a portion of a use which
cannot exist in a location that is not adjacent to the water and which is dependent on the water by reason of the
intrinsic nature of its operation; and,
WHEREAS, Upland tank fish farms with properly treated wastewater equipment can exist in locations
not within or adjacent to the water and therefore satisfies WAC 173-26-020; and,
WHEREAS, Washington State Environmental Policy Act of 1971 (SEPA) RCW Chapter 432lc states
that "Master Program shall indicate that, where required, mitigation shall be applied in the following sequence
of steps in order of priority with (e )(i)(A) of this subsection being top priority (A) avoiding the act altogether
by not taking a certain action."
WHEREAS, Resolution #02-78 adopted at the 2002 49th annual conference of the Affiliated Tribes of
Northwest Indians. (comprised of American Indians in the states of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana.
Nevada, Northern California and Alaska) states that the ".. .Pacific Northwest Tribes oppose the establishment
of Co=ercial Marine Farmed Atlantic Salmon Pens in our region.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOL VED, based on the precautionary principal, we urge the Governor
to place a moratorimn on all new in water fin fish net pen aquaculture for Atlantic Salmon in the coastal
waters of Washington State until there is a peer reviewed science based plan in place to ensure that there is no
risk to native salmon runs.
.Af\'\ \
,2012.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
-2-
Consent Agenda
Commissioners Office
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO:
Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Adm;n;~trator
FROM:
Julie Shannon, Executive Assistant
DATE:
April 16, 2012
SUBJECT:
RESOLUTION NO. 21-1te: Support of Placing a Moratorium on Atlantic
Salmon Fish Farms in the Coastal Waters of Washington State
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
A Resolution in support of placing a Moratorium on Atlantic Salmon Fish Farms in the Coastal Waters of
Washington State.
On January 16, 2012, Commissioners moved to support this Resolution. Commissioner Johnson has
requested this Resolution be placed on Agenda for final approval
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Resolution re: Support ofP1acing a Moratorium on Atlantic Salmon Fish Farms in the Coastal
Waters of Washington State
Philip Mo
y.j 11/.2.-
Date