Guide to Shellfish Aquaculture Permits in Oregon

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This guide is for those interested in learning about the permitting processes for shellfish aquaculture in Oregon. Please note that some steps may not apply to you based on the location and scope of your farm.

Land Type and Location

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) designates Commercial Shellfish Harvest and Growing Areas that meet water quality and pollution source standards. Regardless of land ownership, shellfish growers intending to sell shellfish for human consumption must farm within ODA’s designated growing areas.

The majority of these growing areas are state-owned tidelands, with some exceptions.

• If your proposed farm site is within a commercial shellfish growing area and on state-owned tidelands, you need a shellfish plat lease from ODA (Step 2).
• If your proposed site is within a commercial shellfish growing area and not on state-owned lands, you need signed documentation from the landowner allowing you to farm. In this case, Step 2 is not required.

Shellfish plat leases on state-owned tidelands in effect after June 1, 1997, only allow for the cultivation of oysters. If a lease is in effect on or before June 1, 1997, the lease holder may apply to cultivate oysters, clams, or mussels (ORS 622.250).

Steps to Permitting

The links below provide a general overview of the process to permit shellfish aquaculture projects in Oregon. Depending on location and scope, some steps may not apply to your project; these steps are marked with an asterisk.

• Step 1: Scope Your Site
• Step 2: Apply for a Shellfish Plat Lease*
• Step 3: Choose Your Federal Permit Application
• Step 4: Local Government Review
• Step 5: Federal Regulatory Agency Permits and Approvals
• Step 6: Removal-Fill Permit*
• Step 7: Commercial Shellfish Food Safety Licenses
• Step 8: Mariculture Transport Permit

Download the permit flowchart (PDF)

Acknowledgments

This webpage was created with the support of NOAA partners, including shellfish farmers and agency staff members at the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, the Oregon Department of State Lands, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the draft for language, suggested edits, and supported our efforts to create this Oregon shellfish permitting overview and guide.

A special thank you to the NOAA Staff that worked on this project including Suzie O’Neill, Teri King, Jeff Bash, Delaney Cyphers, Michelle McMullin, Penny Ruvelas, Donielle Stevens, Alix Smith, and Ruth Howell.

Contact

Teri King
Regional Aquaculture Coordinator - Oregon and Washington
West Coast Region
Office: (360) 999-7571
teri.king@noaa.gov