JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE OF TYPE III LAND USE APPLICATION SDP2024-00006

APPLICANT: ROCK ISLAND SHELLFISH P.O. BOX 181 PORT GAMBLE, WA 98364 Application Received Date: June 3, 2024 Application Complete Date: June 27, 2024 Application Notice Date: July 10, 2024 SITE ADDRESS AND PROJECT LOCATION: HOOD CANALTIDELANDS AT PARCELS 965100009, 965100010, AND 965100011 (LOCATED ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF KILLAPIE BEACH ROAD) PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND REQUIRED PERMITS/STUDIES: Shoreline substantial development permit application and flood development permit application to raise Kumamoto oysters (Crassostrea sikamea) within private tidelands in Squamish Harbor in a rack and basket system. SEAPA baskets, a near-bottom culture system, will be installed, maintained, and operated within the intertidal zone between +4 feet to -4.2 feet mean lower low water. Each basket will be stocked with oyster seed. Oysters will be raised to full growth prior to being harvested and sold commercially. SEAPA baskets will be placed in approximately two acres (of the six-acre project area). Native eelgrass (Zostera marina) occurs within the intertidal zone and oysters will be raised at least 16.5 feet from any place where the eelgrass is present. Gear abandoned in the intertidal area by a previous aquaculture operation will be removed as part of this proposal. The applicant submitted a Habitat Report and a Habitat Management Plan. COMMENT PERIOD AND WHERE TO VIEW DOCUMENTS: The application and any studies may be reviewed at the Jefferson County Department of Community Development. All interested persons are invited to (a) comment on the application; (b) receive notice of and participate in any hearings; and (c) receive a copy of the decision by submitting such written comment(s)/request(s) to the Jefferson County Department of Community Development, Development Review Division, 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, (360) 379‐4466. Comments concerning this application should be submitted to the Department by 4:30 p.m. on August 9, 2024. If the last day of the comment period falls on a weekend or holiday, then the comment period shall be extended to the first working day after the weekend or holiday. Comments submitted after this date may not be considered in the staff report. SEPA ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The optional DNS process of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 197‐11‐355 is being used. This may be the only opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts of the proposal. DCD reviewed the proposal for probable adverse environmental impacts and expects to issue a DNS. This determination is based upon a review of the SEPA Checklist, project submissions, and other available information. The SEPA Official has determined that: If the proposal is approved, policies and performance standards found in the Jefferson County Code and the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan will be used to form permit conditions intended to mitigate adverse environmental impacts. Additional conditions or mitigation measures may be required under SEPA. If the threshold determination is a Determination of Non‐Significance (DNS) or a Mitigated Determination of Non‐Significance (MDNS), parties of record may appeal the decision to the Hearing Examiner within 14 days of the final Notice of Decision. A Determination of Significance (DS) may not be appealed to the Hearing Examiner. Decisions of the Hearing Examiner may not be further appealed except to Superior Court. PUBLIC HEARING INFORMATION: This is a Type III permit application. An open record hearing will be scheduled and separate public notice will be provided at least 15 days prior to the hearing. A copy of the staff report will be made available for inspection at no cost at least seven calendar days prior to such a hearing. APPEALS: The final permit decision for this Type III permit application will be made by the Hearing Examiner. Decisions of the Hearing Examiner may not be further appealed except to Superior Court. Project Planner: Donna Frostholm, 360‐379‐4466 For further information, please visit the Jefferson County Department of Community web page at www.co.jefferson.wa.us/commdevelopment/

PTL.: July 10, 2024 Legal No.209168