DRAFT Guidance for Marine Net Pen Aquaculture in Washington State Regulations, Risk, and Management Washington State Department of Agriculture Washington State Department of Ecology Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Washington State Department of Natural Resources Olympia, Washington Month Year Publication Information Cover photo credit Standard Ecology image, 2019 Contact Information XXXXXX Program P.O. Box 47600 Olympia, WA 98504-7600 Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX Website1: Washington State Department of Ecology ADA Accessibility The Department of Ecology is committed to providing people with disabilities access to information and services by meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Washington State Policy #188. To request an ADA accommodation, contact Ecology by phone at XXX-XXX-XXXX or email at [email protected]. For Washington Relay Service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341. Visit Ecology's website for more information. 1 www.ecology.wa.gov/contact Guidance for Marine Net Pen Aquaculture in Washington State Regulations, Risks, and Management Washington State Department of Agriculture Washington State Department of Ecology Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Washington State Department of Natural Resources Olympia, WA Month 2021 Table of Contents List of Figures and Tables ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Figures ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Tables ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Contributors .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 10 About the Guidance ............................................................................................................................................. 12 Organization............................................................................................................................................................ 12 Limitations .............................................................................................................................................................. 12 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 About marine net pen aquaculture ........................................................................................................................ 15 Legal Framework ................................................................................................................................................. 17 Roles and responsibilities ....................................................................................................................................... 17 Regulations ............................................................................................................................................................. 22 2Authorizations ....................................................................................................................................................... 27 Order of operation to obtain authorizations .......................................................................................................... 36 Interagency Coordination .................................................................................................................................... 38 Permitting ............................................................................................................................................................... 38 Inspection and enforcement ................................................................................................................................... 38 Incident response ................................................................................................................................................... 38 Recommendations for continued interagency coordination and joint efforts ....................................................... 39 Environmental Considerations: Risks and Best Practices...................................................................................... 40 Siting ....................................................................................................................................................................... 40 Water quality .......................................................................................................................................................... 48 Benthic environment .............................................................................................................................................. 54 Biofouling ................................................................................................................................................................ 59 Marine debris .......................................................................................................................................................... 61 Fish health ............................................................................................................................................................... 62 Fish genetics and ecological issues ......................................................................................................................... 77 Escape Prevention and Response ........................................................................................................................... 88 Recommendation for Legislative Oversight and Support ..................................................................................... 95 References ........................................................................................................................................................... 98 6 Appendix A: Local Government Shoreline Permitting ........................................................................................ 128 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 128 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................................. 128 Overview: SMA, Guidelines, and SMPs. ................................................................................................................ 128 SMP Permit Types and Net Pen Projects .............................................................................................................. 131 Applying SMP authorities to net pen projects ...................................................................................................... 132 Information and Guidance for Local Governments .............................................................................................. 134 Appendix B. Fish Health Glossary ....................................................................................................................... 140 7 List of Figures and Tables Figures No table of figures entries found. Tables Table 1 Key state statutes and administrative codes, by lead agency ......................................... 26 Table 2: Permits and authorizations typically required for net pen projects by issuing authority ....................................................................................................................................................... 35 8 Contributors The authors of this report thank the following people for their contribution to this guidance document: To be developed when document is finalized. 9 Executive Summary To be developed when document is finalized. 10 11 About the Guidance The guidance examines the regulatory protections of the environment, identifies additional environmental risks, and provides further mitigation and best management actions to reduce these risks. This document is a tool for local and state governments and the marine net pen aquaculture industry when assessing new or existing net pen operations. Organization This guidance contains a short introduction about marine net pen aquaculture and three major resource sections of which: The first walks you through the legal framework that is in place – the laws and rules, the authorizations, leases, licenses, and permits, and the authorizing agencies responsible for each. The second looks at aspects of the natural environment to be considered and associated risks, and provides recommendations for best practices to reduce negative impacts. The third identifies recommendations for additional legislative oversight and support to ensure net pen operations in Washington are appropriately sited and effectively managed. Throughout the document, potential risks and best practices reflect current science and are approached through the