ANALYSIS OF ESSB 5075

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                        March 20, 1997

BACKGROUND:

The Shoreline Management Act (SMA) establishes a shared program of shoreline management between local government and the state.  Under the SMA, every county and city must adopt a shoreline master program for all shoreland areas within its jurisdiction.  A shoreline master program, or an amendment to a program, becomes effective when approved by the Department of Ecology (DOE).  A program must be consistent with guidelines adopted by the department.  These guidelines identify aquaculture as a preferred, water-dependent use when it is consistent with the control of pollution and prevention of damage to the environment.

Some counties have adopted shoreline master programs that limit or partially ban aquacultural practices using net pens.

SUMMARY:

Findings are made regarding the role of aquaculture in a shoreline environment.

Local governments may not prohibit aquacultural uses, or condition aquacultural uses to the extent that the use cannot be feasibly located.  If a local government does limit an aquacultural use in a designated area, it must designate a suitable area where the aquacultural use is permitted.  Local governments must update the local shoreline master program to comply with this act during the next normally scheduled revision of the master program.