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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2961-35 (p nl'tPr QL l~ Michelle McConnell From: Sent: To: Subject: robindowney@pcsga.org Monday, January 12, 2009 12:00 PM Michelle McConnell RE: Outreach materials online 2tt~1 @ Thanks Michelle. From: Michelle McConnell [mailto:mmcconnell@co.jefferson.wa.us] Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 11 :28 AM To: robindowney@pcsga.org Subject: RE: Outreach materials online Hi Robin, I did receive your voice mail as well on Thursday but was not available to respond. We haven't always used track changes for the development of the12/3/08 Preliminary Draft SMP. Some changes made along the way would have 'disappeared' upon selection of the "Accept All Changes" feature of MS Word Track Changes. The November 18, 2008 "STAC & SPAC Courtesy Copy" Preliminary Draft SMP Article 8, Section 2 on Aquaculture read as follows: 1. Aquaculture A. Policies 1. Aquaculture is a preferred, water-dependent use of regional and statewide interest that is important to the long-term economic viability, cultural heritage and environmental health of Jefferson County. 2. The County should support aquaculture uses and developments that: 1. Protect and improve water quality; and 11. Minimize damage to important nearshore habitats; and 111. Minimize interference with navigation and normal public use of surface waters; and IV. Minimize the potential for cumulative adverse impacts. 3. When properly managed, aquaculture can result in long-term ecological and economic benefits. The County should coordinate with the Department ofFish and Wildlife (DFW), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), area tribes and shellfish interests to identify areas that are suitable for aquaculture and protect them from uses that would threaten aquaculture's long-term sustainability. 4. Aquaculture use and development should be designed, located and operated in a manner that complies with applicable state and federal regulations and avoids significant adverse impacts on ecological functions and natural shoreline formation processes such as net-shore drift. 5. Aquaculture use and development should locate in areas where biophysical conditions, such as tidal currents, water temperature and depth, will minimize environmental impacts. If needed, individual aquaculture uses and developments should be separated by a sufficient distance to ensure that significant adverse cumulative effects do not occur. 1 6. Aquaculture uses and developments that have minimal environmental and visual impacts should be preferred over aquaculture that has more extensive impacts, in the following order: 1. Projects that require minimal in-water structures/apparatus/equipment should be preferred over projects that involve substantial in-water structures/apparatus/equipment; and 11. Projects that require few land-based facilities should be preferred over those which require extensive land facilities; and 111. Projects that involve minimal substrate disturbance or modification should be preferred over those which involve extensive substrate disturbance or modification. 7. The County should support aquaculture use and development on tidelands when they are consistent with this Program. Tidelands and bedlands that were acquired and retained under the Bush and Callow Acts should be protected by not permitting non-aquaculture use and development on these tidelands. 8. Intensive residential uses, other industrial and commercial uses, and uses that are unrelated to aquaculture should be located so as not to create conflicts with aquaculture operations. 9. The County should promote cooperative arrangements between aquaculture growers and public recreation agencies so that public use of shorelines does not conflict with aquaculture operations. 10. Experimental forms of aquaculture involving the use of new species, new growing methods or new harvesting techniques should be allowed when they are consistent with applicable state and federal regulations and this Program. 11. The County should support community restoration projects associated with aquaculture when they are consistent with this Program. 12. Aquaculture uses and developments should not degrade critical habitat areas. 13. Chemicals, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms should not be used in aquaculture operations in Jefferson County. B. Uses and Activities Prohibited Outright I. Net pens, as defined in Article 2, and finfish aquaculture that uses herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, or feed are prohibited. C. Shoreline Environment Regulations 1. Priority Aquatic: Bottom and floating/hanging aquaculture may be allowed subject to the use and development regulations of the adjacent upland shoreline environment. 2. Aquatic: Bottom and floatinglhanging aquaculture may be allowed subject to the use and development regulations of the adjacent upland shoreline environment. 3. Natural: Bottom culture, except for geoduck aquaculture, may be allowed subject to policies and regulations of this Program. Floatinglhanging aquaculture may be allowed with a conditional use permit. Geoduck aquaculture may be allowed with a conditional use permit. 4. Conservancy: Bottom culture, except for geoduck aquaculture, may be allowed subject to policies and regulations of this Program. Floatinglhanging aquaculture may be allowed subject to policies and regulations of this Program. Geoduck aquaculture may be allowed with a conditional use permit. 5. Shoreline Residential: Bottom aquaculture, except for geoduck aquaculture, may be allowed subject to policies and regulations of this Program. FloatinglHanging aquaculture and geoduck bottom culture may be allowed with a conditional use permit. 6. High Intensity: All aquaculture uses and developments are prohibited. 2 D. Regulations - General 1. When a shoreline permit is issued for a new aquaculture use or development, that permit shall apply to the initial siting, construction, and/or planting or stocking of the facility or farm. Ifthe initial approval is a shoreline substantial development permit, it shall be valid for a period of five (5) years. If the initial approval is a conditional use permit, it shall be valid for the period specified in the permit. 2. Ongoing maintenance, harvest, replanting, restocking or changing the species cultivated in any existing or permitted aquaculture operation shall not require a new permit, unless or until: 1. The physical extent of the facility or farm is expanded or altered by more than twenty-five percent (25%) compared to the conditions that existed as of the effective date of this Program or any amendment thereto. If the amount of expansion exceeds twenty-five percent (25%) in any ten (10) year period, the entire operation shall be considered new aquaculture and shall be subject to applicable permit requirements of this section; or 11. The facility proposes to cultivate species not previously cultivated in the state of Washington. 3. Aquaculture uses and activities involving hatching, seeding, planting, cultivating, raising and/or harvesting of planted or naturally occurring shellfish shall not be considered development, as defined in Article 2, and shall not require a shoreline substantial development permit, unless: 1. The activity interferes with normal public use of surface waters; or 11. The activity involves placement of any structures as defined in Article 2; or 111. The activity involves dredging using mechanical equipment such as clamshell, dipper, or scraper; or IV. The activity involves filling of tidelands or bedlands. 4. The County shall assess the potential for interference described in 8.2.D.3 on a case-by-case basis. Activities shall not be considered to interfere with normal public use of surface waters, unless: 1. They occur in, adjacent to or in the immediate vicinity of public waters including public tidelands; or 11. They involve the use of floating ropes, markers, barges, floats, or similar apparatus on a regular basis or in a manner that substantially obstructs public access, passage, or use of surface waters at any water level. 5. Aquaculture activities not listed in 8.2.D.3 and listed activities that fail to meet any of the criteria in 8.2.D.3 shall require a shoreline substantial development permit or conditional use permit, and shall be subject to all of the following regulations: 1. Subtidal, intertidal, floating, and upland structures and apparatus associated with aquaculture use shall be located, designed and maintained to avoid adverse effects on ecological functions and processes. 11. Separate aquaculture facilities/farms shall be located at least three-hundred (300) linear feet apart (as measured parallel to the shoreline) to avoid cumulative effects on ecological functions and processes and adjoining land uses. 111. Upland structures accessory to aquaculture use that do not require a waterside location or have a functional relationship to the water shall be located landward of shoreline buffers required by the Program. IV. Overwater work shelters and sleeping quarters accessory to aquaculture use/development shall be prohibited. v. Floating/hanging aquaculture structures and associated equipment shall not exceed six (6) feet in height above the water's surface. 3 VI. Floating/hanging aquaculture facilities and associated equipment, except navigation aids, shall use colors and materials that blend into the surrounding environment in order to minimize visual impacts. V11. Aquaculture use and development shall not materially interfere with navigation, or access to adjacent waterfront properties, public recreation areas, or tribal harvest areas. V111. Aquaculture uses and developments shall be located at least six hundred (600) feet from any National Wildlife Refuge, seal and sea lion haulouts, seabird nesting colonies, or other areas identified as critical feeding or migration areas for birds and mammals. The County may approve lesser distances based upon written documentation that US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Washington Department ofFish and Wildlife (WDFW) and affected tribes support the proposed location. IX. Aquaculture use and development shall be sited so that shading and other adverse impacts to existing red/brown algae, kelp, and eelgrass beds are avoided. x. Aquaculture uses and developments that require attaching structures to the bed or bottomlands shall use anchors, such as helical anchors, that minimize disturbance to substrate. Xl. Where aquaculture use and development are authorized to use public facilities, such as boat launches or docks, the County shall reserve the right to require the applicant/proponent to pay a portion of the maintenance costs and any required improvements commensurate with the applicant's/proponent's use. X11. Structures, apparatus and equipment for aquaculture use and development shall be maintained in sound condition. Abandoned or unsafe structures, apparatus and equipment shall be removed by the owner/applicant/proponent. X11l. Aquaculture use and development shall employ non-lethal, non-harmful measures to control birds and mammals. Control methods shall comply with existing federal and state regulations. XIV. Aquaculture use and development shall avoid use of chemicals, fertilizers and genetically modified organisms except when allowed by state and federal law. xv. All non-navigational lighting associated with aquaculture use and development shall be designed and hooded to prevent the light source from being directly visible from outside the boundaries ofthe property. Non-navigational lighting shall not adversely affect vessel traffic or the use of surrounding properties. 6. Prior to issuing a permit for any proposed bottom culture or floating/hanging culture use or development, the County may require copies of technical studies and lor permits required by state and/or federal agencies to ensure the provisions of this Program are met. Information that the County may require includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Anticipated harvest cycles and potential plans for future expansion or change in species grown or harvest practices 11. Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) commercial aquatic fann or non-commercial, personal consumption designation. 111. Department of Health (DOH) Shellfish Certification Number. IV. Number, types and dimensions of structures, apparatus or equipment. v. Predator control methods. VI. Anticipated levels of noise, light, and odor and plans for minimizing their impacts. V11. Potential impacts to animals, plants, and water quality due to the discharge of waste water from any upland development. V111. Proof of direct coordination between the aquaculture operator and tribes with Usual and Accustomed Areas encompassing the project to ensure that the rights of treaty tribes are addressed. 4 IX. Proof of application for any permits required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Health, or other agency. x. Proof of application for an aquatic lands lease from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources or proof of lease or ownership ifbedlands are privately held. 7. Prior to approving a permit for floating/hanging aquaculture use and development or bottom culture involving structures, the County may require a visual analysis prepared by the applicant/proponent describing effects on nearby uses and aesthetic qualities of the shoreline. The analysis shall demonstrate that adverse impacts on the character of those areas are effectively mitigated. 8. The County shall prohibit any bottom culture or floating/hanging culture use or development based on an unbiased and scientifically valid determination that the use or development would: 1. Have a significant adverse impact on shoreline formation processes or shoreline ecological functions; or 11. Materially interfere with normal public use of surface waters. The August 21,2008 STAC & SPAC 'Sneak Peek' version of Chapter 8 Aquaculture section is attached showing the'line- in, line-out' format. Hope this helps! Best wishes, Michelle <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Michelle McConnell, Associate Planner - LRP Lead Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Update Project Manager Direct: 360.379.4484 Web: http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/ShorelinePlanning.htm NEW OFFICE HOURS: 9 a - 4:30 p Monday - Thursday; Closed on Friday <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> NOTE: All e-mail sent to this address will be received by the Jefferson County e-mail system and are subject to Public Disclosure under Chapter 42.56 RCW. From: robindowney@pcsga.org [mailto:robindowney@pcsga.org] Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 4:26 PM To: Michelle McConnell Subject: RE: Outreach materials online Hi Michelle I left you a message earlier this afternoon so I apologize if you get this request twice. I would like to see the "red line" (track changes) version of the latest draft so I can compare it more easily to the last version I saw. That would be very helpful as I prepare comments for the hearing on the 21st. Thanks very much Robin From: Michelle McConnell [mailto:mmcconnell@co.jefferson.wa.us] Sent: Thursday, January 08,20093:39 PM To: Michelle McConnell Subject: SMP: Outreach materials online 5 Hello All, Hope everyone is staying warm & safe with the high winds and power outages today! Please note webpage revisions have been made including: . Creating a new, separate page for the SMP Update project linked from the Shoreline Management & Planning page http://www.co.iefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/ShorelineUpdate2005-9.htm ; . Public Outreach page - slideshow presented to Jefferson County Realtors http://www.co.iefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/ShorelinePublicOutreach.htm ; . Public Outreach page - mailings that have gone out to shoreline property owners over the last 2+ years http://www.co.iefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/ShorelinePublicOutreach.htm#Direct Mailings; and . The "side-by-side" comparison document presented at last night's Planning Commission meeting http://www.co.iefferson.wa.us/com mdeve lopment/Shore line Update 2005- 9.htm#Formal Public Review Process Upcoming Dates: January 21- Public Hearing wi Planning Commission (6:30 pm WSU Extension, Port Hadlock) January 30 - Close of Public Comment; Mail to DCD - SMP Comments, 621 Sheridan St., Port Townsend, WA 98368 or email to me. Cheers, Michelle You have received this message as a member of the Jefferson County Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Interested Parties Email Distribution List. If you do not wish to receive further project notices, reply to this message with "UNSUBSCRIBE" as the subject and body text. Anyone who wants to be added to the list may send an email with "SUBSCRIBE" as the subject and body text. Please note: Recipient names and email addresses are not shown to keep that information private. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Michelle McConnell, Associate Planner - LRP Lead Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Update Project Manager Direct: 360.379.4484 Web: www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/ShorelinePlanning.htm Jefferson County Department of Community Development Long Range Planning Division 621 Sheridan St., Port Townsend, W A 98368 Front Desk: 360.379.4450 Fax: 360.379.4473 NEW OFFICE HOURS: 9 a - 4:30 p Monday - Thursday; Closed on Friday <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> NOTE: All e-mail sent to this address will be received by the Jefferson County e-mail system and is subject to Public Disclosu,e under Chapter 42.56 RCW. 6