Washington House Democrats

April 12, 2007
 

OLYMPIA—The state Senate passed legislation Thursday to temporarily limit the practice of commercial farming of geoducks on state lands.

The legislation authored by state Rep. Patricia Lantz (D-Gig Harbor) would also commission a series of scientific research studies on the potential effects of geoduck aquaculture on the Puget Sound.

Proponents of the measure cited a need for balance in farming practices.

“Local residents have a valid point in their concern over the long-term consequences of these aquaculture techniques,” said Lantz, who has been working to broker a compromise between local landowners, commercial farmers and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “We need to know the environmental impacts of this controversial practice and it is only logical that the state take a step back and ask some tough questions.”

Last year conflict arose between local landowners and commercial farmers along Puget Sound beaches.  Landowners objected to unsightly geoduck farms that were cropping up on public lands.

Common geoduck farming techniques include the insertion of thousands of plastic tubes on the beach, into which juvenile geoducks are inserted.  The tubes are then covered with nets until the large clams, which are delicacies in many parts of the world, are ready for harvest.

Once fully grown farmers employ a tactic that essentially liquefies the beach. Large hoses are brought in and thousands of gallons of water are pumped into the sand, allowing farmers to wade through waste deep mud and pluck fully grown geoducks from the sand – a practice to which many object.

There are two main components to House Bill 2220:  The first would create a new program within the Sea Grant Program at the University of Washington, which is tasked with collecting data on the potential effects of geoduck aquaculture on the Puget Sound.

The bill also limits the number of leases the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can issue to geoduck farmers to 23 acres until after the Department of Ecology and an assembled committee of stakeholders issue recommendations for appropriate geoduck aquaculture operations. Prior to issuing leases for any beach property, DNR must notify any adjacent landowners of their intent to do so. The money raised from these leases will be deposited into a new state fund known as the Geoduck Aquatic Research Account.

“Nobody denies that there are issues that need to be resolved in this process,” Lantz said. “Growers, citizens, environmentalists, government officials—none of us know what the long-term environmental impacts will be on the Puget Sound.  We need to take the necessary precautions to protect our shorelines while making sure farmers can still make a living.”

Commercial geoduck farming is an industry that brings in an estimated $30 to $40 million per year. Lantz’s legislation, which passed by a vote of 37 to 11, was amended in the Senate and will have to return to the House for concurrence before any agreed upon legislation heads to the Governor’s desk.

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Contact: Rep. Patricia Lantz (360) 786-7964

Staff Contact: Adrienne Stuart (360) 786-7964 or Derek Baker (360) 786-7697

Link to House Bill 2220:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2007&bill=2220

Link to Rep. Patricia Lantz website:

http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/lantz/

Radio and TV news directors: For broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or to arrange TV or radio interviews, contact Dan Frizzell, House Democratic Caucus broadcast coordinator, at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208.