HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEPA Att I Revised Gear Management Plan 2021
BDN, LLC Gear Management Plan - 1
BDN LLC AQUACULTURE GEAR MANAGEMENT PLAN
4/21/2021
Puget Sound Commercial Aquaculture Corps DA #NWS-2013-1268
(Smersh)
This Aquaculture Gear Management Plan is submitted on behalf of BDN LLC to
properly maintain its aquaculture gear on the above referenced parcel, reduce the
potential for gear escapement, and quickly recover gear that may be displaced by
storm activity.
1. Geoduck PVC tubes will be marked to identify ownership, including an
appropriate contact number.
2. Non-secured gear and equipment will be removed from the farm area when crews
are not present. This does not apply to planted gear. All gear installed in the
project area will be kept neat and secure.
3. Beaches within one-half mile of the farm shall be patrolled (subject to the beach
owner's permission to enter) by BDN on a weekly basis and within a day
following a severe storm event. Any observed geoduck farm gear or equipment
will be retrieved regardless of its source. Any equipment retrieved must either be
repaired and placed back into service or properly disposed of at an appropriate
upland disposal site.
4. In addition, BDN will retrieve or repair any escaped or damaged aquaculture
equipment that it encounters while conducting routine maintenance activities
associated with geoduck culture. If the escaped gear cannot be repaired and
replaced on the shellfish bed, it will be properly disposed of on land.
5. BDN will implement annual employee training regarding marine debris issues
and how to identify loose culture gear and proper gear repair and removal
methods.
6. BDN will conduct semiannual cleanups in Squamish Harbor in coordination
with other interested parties or organizations, which will include walking
portions of the bay and shorelines to pick up escaped shellfish gear and other
trash (regardless of whether it is generated by the project). The volume of
shellfish gear collected shall be recorded.
7. BDN will conduct an annual diver survey of its farmed parcels and adjacent
parcels, including photo and/or video documentation each parcel's appearance.
8. BDN plans to have a full-time manager living nearby the farm to quickly respond to
potential farm issues and implement the above maintenance tasks. The farm manager
will maintain a logbook of all such gear management activities.
May 07 2021
BDN, LLC Gear Management Plan - 2
9. If more than 20 PVC tubes are observed to have escaped from the project area,
upon discovery, BDN will immediately contact the U.S. Anny Corps of
Engineers, Seattle District, Regulatory Branch Project Manager (Pam
Sanguinetti) at (206) 764-6904 or the Regulatory Branch main line at
(206)764-3495 to notify the Corps of the escapement. Simultaneously with
such notification, BDN will initiate actions to secure any untethered tubes or
other gear and to resolve any navigational hazards, as appropriate. BDN will
initiate an emergency inspection to document (including photos) the incident
and determine the cause of failure (e.g.storm conditions, etc.).
10. BDN will again contact the Corps by telephone within 72 hours of the original
notification to report on the results of the emergency inspection.
11. In the event of a significant escapement of tubes or other materials, or several
separate escapement events, the Corps may require preparation of a recovery and
repair plan. If such a plan is required, it must be based on professional
recommendations and discussions with the Corps. Upon approval of the proposed
plan by the Corps, BDN will implement the plan.
12. This necessity of this plan shall be reevaluated by the Corps and BDN upon the
culmination of each geoduck planting and harvest cycle, based on the success of
the preventative measures described herein, the observed potential for gear
escapement and required repair activities, and amount of escaped gear.