Shellfish Aquaculture Permits Step 5: State-Owned Aquatic Lands Authorization
Guide to Shellfish Aquaculture Permits in Washington
Application for State-owned Aquatic Lands Authorization (SOAL) and Final Lease Issuance
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) manages more than 2.6 million acres of state-owned aquatic lands. WDNR is responsible for ensuring the protection of habitat and fostering public access and water-dependent activities for future generations. If your shellfish project area includes State-Owned Aquatic Lands (SOAL), you'll need to pursue a lease with WDNR. Projects taking place on or over SOAL require authorization from WDNR. If your project is not on State-Owned Aquatic Land, this step does not apply.
Check the WDNR Aquatics Land Manager Coverage Map for assistance in finding your county's aquatic land manager contact.
Contact staff from WDNR’s Aquatic Resources Program before applying for permits for the following reasons:
- To ensure that the land is available.
- To determine if the proposed use is appropriate.
- To avoid or minimize impacts to aquatic resources.
You may apply for a WDNR use authorization by submitting the JARPA Form Attachment E.
If your project area is not part of the Settlement Agreement (Tribal Section 6.3 and Tribal Harvest Management Plan), notify the appropriate tribe and submit a 6.3 form. You must have a written Tribal Agreement or Management Plan in place for WDNR to issue a lease. WDNR requires all approved regulatory permits before issuing a lease.
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Permitting Steps
- Step 1: Scope Your Site
- Step 2: Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application
- Step 3: Local Government Review
- Step 4: Federal Regulatory Agency Permits and Approvals
- Step 5: State Owned Aquatic Lands Authorization
- Step 6: Tribal Review
- Step 7: Health Shellfish Operator's License Application and Certification
- Step 8: Import and Transfer Permitting and Aquatic Farm Registration
Contact
Teri King
Regional Aquaculture Coordinator - Oregon and Washington
West Coast Region
Office: (360) 207-1724
teri.king@noaa.gov