MARSHALL SAN FRANCISCO NAPA HUMBOLDT For Immediate Release CONTACT: Morgan Patton Executive Director Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) 415-663-9312 [email protected] John Finger CEO Hog Island Oyster Company (415) 663-9218 [email protected] Hog Island Oyster Co. Coastal Development Project Approved Hog Island and the EAC Work Together to Resolve Differences Point Reyes Station, California (February 8, 2019) – The Coastal Commission unanimously approved an application submitted by Hog Island Oyster Company to expand shellfish aquaculture operations through use of new equipment and additional species and request approval for installation and use of on-bottom and off-bottom oyster cultivation equipment within 54-acre area of leased state tidelands in Tomales Bay, Marin County. In January 2019, Commission staff released a report on its evaluation of the application. The Commission Staff Report includes conditions to bring coastal development permits up to date, and allowances for expansion with special conditions. The special conditions are meant to protect habitat and minimize environmental disturbance, to ease regulatory compliance by permitting the same cultivation methods and species on all four leases, and to incorporate standards to reduce 1 marine debris through prevention, training, and clean-up efforts. The Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) and Hog Island have partnered the last two years during Coastal Clean Up Day to remove litter from Tomales Bay and collaborated on marine debris Best Management Practice strategies. EAC submitted generally supportive comments on the Commission Staff Report, but disagreed with Hog Island and the Commission staff in areas concerning the standard of review of development permits and habitat protections for species of special biological significance, like eelgrass (Zostera marina). Despite the disagreements between Hog Island and EAC, they continued to have constructive dialogue and found a path to come together alongside Commission staff. These discussions resulted in the agreement to create 1.2 acres of potential habitat by the removal of aquaculture development that overlaps with mapped eelgrass in three lease areas. Due to the crucial role of eelgrass in aquatic ecosystems, and its susceptibility to harm from human impacts, eelgrass beds are protected under state and federal law. This agreement is formalized through the Commission’s approval of its staff addendum and Hog Island’s permit amendments. “EAC is thankFul for the Coastal Commission staFF’s eFForts to bring Hog Island’s permits up to date, uphold the Commission’s standard oF review for development, and to protect sensitive eelgrass habitat in Tomales Bay. The continued dialogue between Hog Island and EAC around this complex issue has resulted in the creation oF habitat. Many species oF fish and birds, including PaciFic herring, coho salmon, Dungeness crab, and Black Brant depend on Tomales Bays’ extensive eelgrass beds.” – Morgan Patton, EAC Executive Director “We are glad to have completed the very complicated process oF updating our decades old Coastal Development permits, and thank the Coastal Commission staFF for working through the issues with us. The ongoing dialogue with EAC was an important step to this process. We now have updated permits that allow us to continue to sustainably raise shellFish, expand our farm, and continue to saFeguard the natural resources oF our beloved Tomales Bay.” – John Finger, CEO Hog Island Oyster Company For More InFormation: California Coastal Commission, Meeting Agenda, February 8, 2019. https://www.coastal.ca.gov/meetings/agenda/#/2019/2 2 About Hog Island: Founded in 1983 by marine biologists, Hog Island Oyster Co. is one of the nation’s leading producers of sustainable shellfish and is a pioneer in bay-to-bar restaurants. A company that has long held the belief that ‘doing good is good business,’ Hog Island Oyster Co. became the first Food Alliance Certified Sustainable Shellfish Producer. In 2015, they joined a global community of businesses as the first B Corp Certified shellfish company and a legal California Benefit Corporation. Hog Island is recognized as a long-standing, proactive leader of environmental conservation and marine conservation research and policy. HIOC is a founding member of the Tomales Bay Watershed Council and on the boards of Marin Resource Conservation District and Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association. Hog Island Oyster Co. is involved in over two-dozen marine research projects focused on improving science-based understanding of how oysters interact with their environment. https://www.hogislandoysters.com About EAC: Founded in 1971, EAC’s mission is to protect and sustain the unique lands, waters, and biodiversity of West Marin. Since its founding, EAC has protected Tomales Bay and its watershed, including securing its nomination as the 19th USA Ramsar site or international wetland of importance in 2002, and to preventing agricultural development of the Giacomini Wetlands. EAC works collaboratively to protect coastal and marine resources and acts as a council member for the Tomales Bay Watershed Council, co-chair of the Golden Gate Marine Protected Area Collaborative, and is a member of the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. EAC remains committed to the long-term health of the Tomales Bay watershed. https://www.eacmarin.org ### 3 .