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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07/23/1986 . . . AGENDA PORT ANGELES PLANNING COMMISSION 134 W. FRONT STREET PORT ANGELES, W ASHINGTCN JULY 23, 1986 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO_ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of July 9, 1986 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PERMIT - SEA FARM OF NORWAY - SMA 85(10)73, Ediz Hook: Request for a Shoreline Permit to allow 50 floating net pens for rearing of full size salmon to be sold commercially. (This item is continued from the June 11, 1986 meeting.) V. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC VI. STAFF REPORTS VII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS VIII. ADJOURNMENT . PLANNING COMMISSION Port Angeles, Washington July 23, 1986 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 7:24 P.M. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mike Lemon. Ted Jerry Glass, Dave and Donna Davison Puckett, Burns, Jim Hulett. Gary Cissel Members Absent: None Staff Present: Dan Van Hemert and Sue Roberds APPROVAL OF MINUTES Dave Burns moved to approve 9, 1986 meeting as submitted. motion, which passed 7 - O. 4It PUBLIC HEARINGS SKOREt INE MANAGEMENT HEARING SEA SMA 85(10)73: Ediz Hook (Continued from Request for a Shoreline Permit to net pens for rearing of full size commercially. the minutes Mr. Cissel of the seconded July the FARM OF NORWAY, June 11, 1986) allow 50 floating salmon to be sold Mr. Van Hemert reviewed the Department Report and recommendation. Chairman Glass explained that the application was continued from the June 11th meeting at which the pUblic hearing was closed. The Commission may now direct specific questions to the audience. Dave Burns asked who would be responsible for the water quality and benthos monitoring. Mr. Van Hemert responded that the cost would fall upon the applicant, but the .City and the Department of Ecology would assure the quality of the tests and review results. In response to a question from Mr. Puckett, Mr. Van Hemert stated that the upcoming aquaculture reports from DOE and Fisheries would not be available until mid August. Dr. Don Weston, the author of the Department of Fisheries report, is available in the audience for questions. 4It Donna Davison asked Jon Lindberg, representing Sea Farm, if the applicant had used their Cert ificate of Inclusion. Mr. Lindberg stated that they had not, and do not intend to use firearms to warn off marine animals and birds. Ms. Davison asked if the applicant . . . Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4 would be opposed to a condition regarding the Certificate of Inclusion, to which Mr. Lindberg stated "no". Mr. Hulett asked about chemical additives. Mr. Lindberg stated that a chemical was added to remove the algae buildup from the nets: no growth hormones are used, but FDA approved antibiotics are used. Mr. Hulett further inquired what species would be raised, to which Mr. Lindberg responded that Atlantic Salmon and Rainbow Trout would be raised at the new site. Experimental Chinook and Coho have been tried in the existing pens, which required an amendment to the original county permit. The fish will be eviscerated and boxed locally, however, no canning will be done. Mr. Lemon inquired as to how waste would be disposed of. Mr. Lindberg stated that the waste would be deposited in the City landfill. Mr. Puckett felt that the upcoming DOE aquaculture report is needed. Mr. Cissel asked about the transfer of disease between native stock and the reared fish. Mr. Lindberg responded that smolt will not beirnported but the eggs will be. The eggs must be certified before use. There are a few instances of transfer of disease from raised fish to wild fish, and many instances of raised fish contracting disease from wild stock. Mr. Lindberg added that he is unaware of inbreeding of Atlantic Salmon with native salmon and attempts to establish Atlantic Salmon in the Pacific Northwest, as a wild run, have failed. Mr. Burns asked Commander Phil Volk, U.S.C.G., if the modified proposal, presented by staff, would meet the navigational requirements for the Coast Guard. Commander Volk noted that the revised configuration would allow for access to the oil spill booms and seaplane ramp. Chairman Glass requested that Dr. Don Weston summarize the Department of Fisheries report that he has prepared. Dr. Weston noted that two parallel studies were occurring: DOE is studying the aesthetic and land use aspects of aquaculture. The study that he has authored, under a contract with the Department of Fisheries, is a survey of the biological effects of aquaculture facilities. In response to a question from Gary Cissel, Dr. Weston noted that there would be little liklihood of genetic transmission from Atlantic Salmon to native stock. Donna Davison asked what frequency of water quality and benthos monitoring is advisable. Dr. Weston stated that annual monitoring may be most appropriate. Dr. Weston added that if eggs are imported they must be certified and inspected by the State, reducing the possibility of an introduced disease. Smolt may not be imported. Penned fish are susceptible to disease because they are under stress: it is more likely that they will be infected by the wild fish than they infecting the wild fish. The antibiotics permitted by the FDA are water soluble and do not tend to accumulate. In response to a question from Mr. Burns, Dr. Weston stated that there will likely be an accumulation of organic matter under the pens. Studies of water quality in and around pens show that there is an increase in ammonia but not to a hazardous level. Tidal action and currents tend to dissipate, dilute and flush the contaminants Planning Commission Minutes July 23, 1986 Page 3 of 4 . In response to a question from Mr. Hulett, Dr. Weston stated that large fish are not normally affected by the changes in the sediment and water quality. Greater numbers of starfish, crab, lobster and bottom fish may be found under rearing pens. The effect on clams and geoduck may vary. The Commission, staff and applicant, discussed the location of the chains and anchors on the site. In response to a question from Mr. Hulett, Mr. John Ward, Olympic Outdoor Sportsmen's Association, stated that the fish follow the herring from the tip to the inside of the hook. The sports fishermen are opposed to the proposal. Tourism created by local sport fishing is a greater asset than aquaculture, he further stated. Mr. Puckett requested testimony from Bill Brouillard, Port Angeles Charter Boat Association. Mr. Brouillard stated that the Association opposes the proposal for the same reasons that the sports fishermen oppose it. The Commission extensively discussed. the issues. Mr. Hulett moved to deny the application, without prejudice, and after one year of full operation of the 50 existing pens, the applicant should provide an additional water quality and benthos study, stating the following findings: . 1. There is incomplete information about the water quality and benthos impacts; 2. It is unclear what economic impacts may be between aquaculture and the displacement of charter boat and recreational fishing in the area. Ted Puckett seconded the motion, which passed 4 to 3, with Ted Puckett, Jim Hulett, Gary Cissel and Jerry Glass in favor. Dave Burns stated the following reasons for his opposition to the motion: 1. The findings of fact presented in the staff report and reconunen- dation of approval outline quite adequately the issues and goals of the Master Program and Comprehensive Plan that deal with the proposal. With the conditions suggested by staff, any impact could be mitigated. . 2. The Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) and the local Shoreline Master Program imply that aquaculture is a preferred use and states that potential locations for aquaculture are relatively restricted due to specific requirements of water quality; temperature; flows; oxygen content: adjacent land uses: wind protection; commercial navigation; and in marine waters, salinity. 3. The applicant has demonstrated that this is one areas in the Harbor that is suitable for aquaculture impact to sports fisherman would be small, while denial of of the few use. The the pro- Planning Commission Minutes July 23. 1986 Page 4 of 4 .osal would set a precedent for denial of future aquaculture proposals. 4. The Planning Commission heard expert testimony from the author of the State Water Quality Study, Dr. Don Weston. This testimony supports the opinion that there would be no significant environmental impacts from the project and in consideration of specific environmental conditions at the site. Donna Davison and Michael Lemon concurred. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC There were none. STAFF REPORTS None. REPORTS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS eJim Hulett asked if the Commission might by PNB for the EDC. view the video prepare Grey water dumping may still be occurring at the Thunderbird Boathouse, and some of the RVs are too large to turn around in the area without backing onto the road. Mr. Van Hemert explained that he had sent a letter to the Boathouse concerning the observed dumping into the Harbor, and Mr. Shepard had responded that he would stop it. Dave Burns made mention of the need for a vehicle park ordinance due to the influx of recreational vehicles in the area. 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