S-316                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5817

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senator Metcalf

Read first time 2/9/89 and referred to Committee on Environment & Natural Resources.

AN ACT Relating to floating aquaculture; and adding a new section to chapter 90.58 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 90.58 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The legislature finds that to achieve a proper balance between economic development and protection of the fragile marine environment it is necessary to restrict the location of floating aquaculture projects.  It is the legislature's intent and objective to protect marine areas that have a low rate of water exchange by limiting the location of floating aquaculture projects so that the organic pollution created by these projects does not adversely affect areas which are known to have a low rate of water exchange or flushing.

          (2) Floating aquaculture projects shall not be permitted to locate within the following areas:

          (a) Within one nautical mile of the shoreline, measured at mean lower low water;

          (b) In water depths less than sixty feet deep measured at mean lower low water;

          (c) Within all waters in Puget Sound south of a line between Bush Point on Whidbey Island and Nodule Point on Marrowstone Island including all marine waters in Hood Canal; and

          (d) Within all marine waters east of Whidbey and Camano Islands from the Deception Pass bridge to Possession Point.

          (3) The location of floating aquaculture projects shall be limited to protect existing values of marine waters, including, but not limited to:  Recreational  uses, commercial uses, navigation, water quality, aesthetics and the present quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors of Puget Sound.