tessa getchis connecticut sea grant university of connecticut groton, connecticut 06340-6048
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Do All Roads Really Lead to Rome? Constructing a Roadmap for Aquaculture Permitting in Connecticut. Tessa Getchis Connecticut Sea Grant University of Connecticut Groton, Connecticut 06340-6048 . Aquaculture in Connecticut- Brief Overview of the Industry. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Tessa GetchisTessa GetchisConnecticut Sea GrantConnecticut Sea GrantUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of ConnecticutGroton, Connecticut 06340-6048Groton, Connecticut 06340-6048<[email protected]><[email protected]>
Do All Roads Really Lead to Do All Roads Really Lead to Rome? Rome?
Constructing a Roadmap for Constructing a Roadmap for Aquaculture Permitting in Aquaculture Permitting in ConnecticutConnecticut
• 61,000 acres are under cultivation for shellfish in Long Island Sound
• $13 million dollar oyster and hard clam industry
• Small freshwater finfish (trout) culture industry (10 farms; approximately 5% of revenues for aquaculture)
• Generates 40% of the total value of all fishery products landed in the state
• 600 jobs (40 companies) provided directly by the industry (shellfish shippers, harvesters, and shellfish/finfish hatcheries)
Sources: W.A. Cowan, 2001; CT DA/BA, 2002
Aquaculture in Connecticut-Brief Overview of the Industry
Aquaculture in Connecticut–The HOT issue – Marine Aquaculture Permitting
There has been a transition (1990s) from traditional bottom culture practices to use of floating and submerged grow-out structures
New legislation (1999) created a complex permitting system with multi-agency responsibilities for aquaculture practices
In-water structures (cages, longlines, racks, bags, etc.) present a unique permitting challenge to the regulatory agencies
Competing User Groups
Cultured shellfish are one of CT’s most economically viable natural resources within the state; however, there are many competing uses (users) of the waters of Long Island Sound in which these shellfish are grown:
Recreational and Charter Boating Commercial Fishing and Lobstering Swimmers Recreational Shellfish Harvesters Ferry routes Freighters
Navigation Hazards
Floating or submerged aquaculture structures may interfere with activity within major navigational channels. Areas of significant conflict are at the mouths of major rivers, narrow waterways, and adjacent to coastal islands. Structures may cause:
Interference with shipping Clogging of boater traffic Boater safety Obstruction of navigational channels
Environmental Impacts
Aquaculture structures may have a significant impact on the environment within which they are placed. Although there are beneficial environmental impacts of shellfish culture (i.e. providing structure for habitat, enhancing water clarity and quality, etc.), negative impacts must be considered when siting projects, such as:
Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAVs) Essential fish habitat Bird nesting areas Shading
Roadblocks in Permitting
The entire permitting process usually requires 60 days, but in reality, some applications have only been permitted after several months or years
Public perception of aquaculture projects weighs heavily in permitting process
Applications may require additional review if there is potential for significant
environmental impacts or navigational hazards
Permits may be issued with several conditions (e.g. water quality assessment, eelgrass survey) or may require additional permits (regulatory markers, structure permit) and fees
Any changes to application require new application
Permits issued as of 2002 are short-term (2 years)
What’s Causing Roadblocks?
Because of the number of conflicting uses and hazards within Long Island Sound, aquaculture structures are regulated strictly
Because the lead agency for aquaculture (DA/BA) is not the lead agency for coastal zone management (DEP), aquaculture structures must be approved by both state agencies
Because aquaculture structures are not necessarily present on a lease (e.g. land-based upwellers, cages under docks), the structure may require additional permits (and accounting for) from a number of agencies
Because there is a state-town jurisdiction line through LIS, municipalities may require additional leases and permits.
USACE issuesCat II PGP
Is the project exempt from DEP permits?
No Yes
USACE issuesCat II PGP
w/conditionsLetter to Applicant:Structure Regulated by DEP
Copy sent to local Shellfish Comm.
CT DOA
CT DEP Fisheries
CT DEP Boating
US ACOE
CT DEP OLISP
(1) Substantial Concerns
(2) No Concerns
(3) Minimal Concerns
(1)
(3)
(2) Cat. IIDEP sign-off
USACE Individual Pmt
Process
DEP Conducts Federal CZMP Consistency Review
Monthly Federal Joint Permit Processing
Screening Meeting
US EPA
NMFS
US FWS
Applicant Submits Joint Application
Applicant Must Obtain DEP-OLISP Permit
USACE Issues IP
USACE Denies IP
State Concurs
State Objects
USACE issuesCat II PGP
USACE issuesCat II PGP
w/conditions
USACE Issues IP
USACE Denies IP
Applicant Must Obtain DEP-OLISP Permit
This is all that the regulatory agencies expect the regulated community to know.
Applicant Submits Joint Application
Permit Streamlining
SGEP brought regulators together together to develop standard procedures for multi-agency permitting of aquaculture and to form a permitting workgroup
Stakeholder Communication
SGEP initiated a workshops series that brought in partners from USACE,DEP, DA/BA, and local shellfish and harbor management commissions to discuss local and state permitting concerns.
SGEP and permitting workshop offered several workshops for growers (e.g. completing the application, eelgrass surveys, conditions
surrounding gear types)
What role does Sea Grant Extension Play?
Development of standard procedures for multi-agency permitting aquaculture operations;
Development of a publicly available “roadmap” explaining the standard procedures for permitting;
Web-enabling the “roadmap”;
Getting more people involved and educated; and,
Assisting State in developing a strategic plan for aquaculture in CT
Goals of Permitting Workgroup
Do All Roads Lead to Rome?
(Or does the permitting roadmap really
get you to a permit ???)
The permitting workgroup has a significant task ahead of them to make permitting more efficient
for growers
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