HomeMy WebLinkAboutsdp2023-00023 notice and optional dns JEFFERSON COUNTY
PUBLIC NOTICE OF TYPE III LAND USE APPLICATION
SDP2023-00023
APPLICANT:
CHRISTIAN JONES
312401 US HIGHWAY 101
BRINNON, WA 98320
Application Received Date: December 1, 2023
Application Complete Date: February 6, 2024
Application Notice Date: February 14, 2024
SITE ADDRESS AND PROJECT LOCATION: 312401 US HIGHWAY 101, BRINNON
PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND REQUIRED PERMITS/STUDIES:
Shoreline substantial development permit application and flood development permit application to raise oysters
using suspended tumble bags in McDonald Cove. Bag culture oysters would be grown in mesh bags that are
staked to the bottom. Stakes will be about one foot to two feet above the intertidal substrate and floats will
suspend the mesh bags. Seeding of Manila clams is proposed, and per JCC 18.25.440(4)(c), seeding shall not
be considered development (and therefore does not require a shoreline substantial development permit). The
applicants submitted a habitat survey report, which states no eelgrass or kelp is present in the project area. This
is an ‘after-the-fact’ application as the shellfish farm has been operating since fall 2018 and shellfish harvested
are for commercial sales. The proposal is subject to review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
and the applicant submitted an Environmental Checklist.
COMMENT PERIOD AND WHERE TO VIEW DOCUMENTS:
The application and any studies may be reviewed at the Jefferson County Department of Community
Development. All interested persons are invited to (a) comment on the application; (b) receive notice of and
participate in any hearings; and (c) receive a copy of the decision by submitting such written
comment(s)/request(s) to the Jefferson County Department of Community Development, Development Review
Division, 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, (360) 379-4450. Comments concerning this
application should be submitted to the Department by 4:30 p.m. on March 15, 2024. If the last day of the
comment period falls on a weekend or holiday, then the comment period shall be extended to the first working
day after the weekend or holiday. Comments submitted after this date may not be considered in the staff report.
SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The optional DNS process of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
197-11-355 is being used. This may be the only opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts of the
proposal. DCD reviewed the proposal for probable adverse environmental impacts and expects to issue a DNS.
This determination is based upon a review of the SEPA Checklist, project submissions, and other available
information. The SEPA Official has determined that:
If the proposal is approved, policies and performance standards found in the Jefferson County Code and the
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan will be used to form permit conditions intended to mitigate adverse
environmental impacts. Additional conditions or mitigation measures may be required under SEPA.
If the threshold determination is a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) or a Mitigated Determination of
Non-Significance (MDNS), parties of record may appeal the decision to the Hearing Examiner within 14 days of
the final Notice of Decision. A Determination of Significance (DS) may not be appealed to the Hearing
Examiner. Decisions of the Hearing Examiner may not be further appealed except to Superior Court.
PUBLIC HEARING INFORMATION:
This is a Type III permit application. An open record hearing will be scheduled and separate public notice will be
provided at least 15 days prior to the hearing. A copy of the staff report will be made available for inspection at
no cost at least seven calendar days prior to such a hearing.
APPEALS:
The final permit decision for this Type III permit application will be made by the Hearing Examiner. Decisions of
the Hearing Examiner may not be further appealed except to Superior Court.
Project Planner: Donna Frostholm, 360-379-4466
For further information, please visit the Jefferson County Department of Community web page at
www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/