Bainbridge SMP Aquaculture Challenged

The Washington State Department of Ecology has substituted greatly weakened regulations on commercial aquaculture in the Bainbridge Island Shoreline Master Program update. After four years of work by citizens, the city’s Planning Commission and City Council, the Department of Ecology required changes in the SMP to allow industrial aquaculture on almost 100% of the island’s shorelines. A group of concerned Bainbridge Island residents thinks this is not right. Bainbridge Island community members are the first shoreline community to appeal Ecology’s overreach.

Here is a powerful and informative presentation they have produced. You must see what’s happening!

Here, also, is the legal petition filed by the Bainbridge Alliance for Puget Sound, the Association of Bainbridge Communities, and the Coalition to Protect Puget Sound, to the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board.

Donations are being sought to support this appeal which seeks to help protect Puget Sound from extensive encroachment of intensive aquaculture. Checks made to Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat (a 501(c)3 organization) should be mailed to Bainbridge Alliance to Protect Puget Sound, 321 High School Rd NE, Ste. D3, PMB #149, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.