Hi from Vashon Island, Washington

[mike_spranger]

I've got most of my permits with the last one being the stickiest.. with luck though I'll have them all by this summer, will have gear in the water in the fall and will be out planting in November.  Fingers crossed...

Thanks Greenwave for putting this Hub together!!

[ted_morton]

@mike_spranger -hi Mike I live in Gig Harbor- would you be willing to share some do’s and don’t s you learned during your permitting process? Thanks! -Ted

[mike_spranger]

@ted_morton -Would love to share any info/insights that I have.  Send me an email to mikeonvashon@yahoo.com with your number and I'll give you a call to chat.

[ted_morton]

@mike_spranger - that sounds great. I sent you an email and look forward to a chat, thanks!

[mike_spranger]

@ted_morton -Would love to share any info/insights that I have.  Send me an email to mikeonvashon@yahoo.com with your number and I'll give you a call to chat.

[ted_morton]

@mike_spranger - that sounds great. I sent you an email and look forward to a chat, thanks!

[lindsay_olsen]

@mike_spranger -Hi Mike! So glad that you made it into the Hub (sorry about all the technical difficulties!) and congrats on navigating the permitting process in Washington. No small feat! I know there is a lot of interest from other growers in Washington State, and I'm sure all of your hard work paving the way will be a tremendous help to those who follow in your foot steps. I know that Ted asked you below, but if you had to list your top 3 lessons learned in navigating the permitting process in Washington for others who may be considering siting a farm, what would they be? Thanks in advance! 

[mike_spranger]

@lindsay_olsen -

Hi Lindsay, I appreciate your comments and I am happy to offer some tips or lessons learned.  Folks should keep in mind that I have yet to secure all of my permits but I do have many approvals and I’m confident that I will get all of them and will ultimately obtain a lease from the DNR for 10 acres of Puget Sound waters, in Colvos Passage, off the coast of Vashon Island.  With that disclaimer, here goes:

• Washington, as well as many other states have a Sea Grant program.   There is also a National Sea Grant which sponsors their own hub (although it isn’t as robust as this Greenwave hub).  Sea Grant is involved in a lot of ocean related things so they many not have dedicated seaweed resources but they are a great resource. 
• Location, Location, Location!  - picking the right spot can make things a lot more or less challenging.  For me, these were the prime considerations when I was choosing a spot:
  • Not in use or otherwise restricted by tribal or other commercial aquaculture activities.
  • Proximity to a boat launch and/or marina. 
  • Good current/water flow
  • Limited existing shoreline development
  • Not adjacent to a natural Shoreline Environmental Designation (SED)  (google this to see definition)

 If you find a spot that has all these characteristics that doesn’t mean it’s a lock and there’s nothing else to do but it’s a good start.

• Be cool to all the various agency employees.  You’re going to be talking to a lot of them.  My experience has been that they have all, to a person, been extremely helpful and supportive.  Permits, rules and regs are a pain but I have only found a couple of things that weren’t totally reasonable and in place to ensure that I didn’t do anything stupid.   Most of the agency employees seem to have backgrounds that lead them to understand the benefits of aquaculture if done properly so they have wanted to help me and see me succeed while at the same time fulfilling their agency mission and following their process.

 You only asked for my top 3 tips so stop now if that’s all you want or keep reading  for a few more..

•  Spend a lot of time on the site that you select.  Understand the current, weather patterns, the substrate, the existing flora and fauna, notice who uses the waters and shoreline adjacent to the site, etc 
• Buy a good PFD and some fashionable foul weather gear.  For most of us, Seaweed grows when it’s cold and miserable out.  You’re going to want to look good if you’re shivering and wet and can’t feel your fingers.
• Try to do as much work as you can by yourself.  Unless you already possess the knowledge of what it takes to become a seaweed farmer (which I definitely did and do not)  I think this is the best way to learn versus outsourcing it to a consultant.   While things aren’t easy to find and learn (although the Greenwave HUB is making that much easier!!) most of the information you need is out there.   In my case there were a couple exceptions:  I’m hiring a marine engineering firm to design the farm (particularly the anchoring system) because my farm site has very swift and tricky currents coupled with a cobble substrate that poses challenges for the ideal type of anchor (helical).  I will also be hiring an environmental consultant as their expertise is a requirement to complete the county permits.  I completed all the other work and permits myself.
• Finally, buy seaweed based products.  You’re reading this because you believe but that belief needs to open up all of our pocketbooks.  There are tons of great seaweed products out there.  Buy some for yourself or send them as gifts to your friends and family to promote the industry.   

 

[lindsay_olsen]

@lindsay_olsen - @hailey_lampe I saw that you're also permitting a farm in Washington State. If you haven't seen this, wanted to flag Mike's post in case it's helpful! 

[mike_spranger]

@lindsay_olsen -

Hi Lindsay, I appreciate your comments and I am happy to offer some tips or lessons learned.  Folks should keep in mind that I have yet to secure all of my permits but I do have many approvals and I’m confident that I will get all of them and will ultimately obtain a lease from the DNR for 10 acres of Puget Sound waters, in Colvos Passage, off the coast of Vashon Island.  With that disclaimer, here goes:

• Washington, as well as many other states have a Sea Grant program.   There is also a National Sea Grant which sponsors their own hub (although it isn’t as robust as this Greenwave hub).  Sea Grant is involved in a lot of ocean related things so they many not have dedicated seaweed resources but they are a great resource. 
• Location, Location, Location!  - picking the right spot can make things a lot more or less challenging.  For me, these were the prime considerations when I was choosing a spot:
  • Not in use or otherwise restricted by tribal or other commercial aquaculture activities.
  • Proximity to a boat launch and/or marina. 
  • Good current/water flow
  • Limited existing shoreline development
  • Not adjacent to a natural Shoreline Environmental Designation (SED)  (google this to see definition)

 If you find a spot that has all these characteristics that doesn’t mean it’s a lock and there’s nothing else to do but it’s a good start.

• Be cool to all the various agency employees.  You’re going to be talking to a lot of them.  My experience has been that they have all, to a person, been extremely helpful and supportive.  Permits, rules and regs are a pain but I have only found a couple of things that weren’t totally reasonable and in place to ensure that I didn’t do anything stupid.   Most of the agency employees seem to have backgrounds that lead them to understand the benefits of aquaculture if done properly so they have wanted to help me and see me succeed while at the same time fulfilling their agency mission and following their process.

 You only asked for my top 3 tips so stop now if that’s all you want or keep reading  for a few more..

•  Spend a lot of time on the site that you select.  Understand the current, weather patterns, the substrate, the existing flora and fauna, notice who uses the waters and shoreline adjacent to the site, etc 
• Buy a good PFD and some fashionable foul weather gear.  For most of us, Seaweed grows when it’s cold and miserable out.  You’re going to want to look good if you’re shivering and wet and can’t feel your fingers.
• Try to do as much work as you can by yourself.  Unless you already possess the knowledge of what it takes to become a seaweed farmer (which I definitely did and do not)  I think this is the best way to learn versus outsourcing it to a consultant.   While things aren’t easy to find and learn (although the Greenwave HUB is making that much easier!!) most of the information you need is out there.   In my case there were a couple exceptions:  I’m hiring a marine engineering firm to design the farm (particularly the anchoring system) because my farm site has very swift and tricky currents coupled with a cobble substrate that poses challenges for the ideal type of anchor (helical).  I will also be hiring an environmental consultant as their expertise is a requirement to complete the county permits.  I completed all the other work and permits myself.
• Finally, buy seaweed based products.  You’re reading this because you believe but that belief needs to open up all of our pocketbooks.  There are tons of great seaweed products out there.  Buy some for yourself or send them as gifts to your friends and family to promote the industry.   

 

[quentin_kuhl]

@mike_spranger -Mike, way to go. you are a hope for all on West coast. 

I am lookin for a site as I type. California is not as friendly to Aquaculture as I would like. Looking to move north and start a small business. 

Respect, Captain Quint

[mike_spranger]

@quentin_kuhl -Good luck.  Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.. I'm no expert by any means but all the permitting for Washington State is still pretty fresh in my mind so I can offer information on that.   mikeonvashon@yahoo.com

[mike_spranger]

@quentin_kuhl -Good luck.  Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.. I'm no expert by any means but all the permitting for Washington State is still pretty fresh in my mind so I can offer information on that.   mikeonvashon@yahoo.com

[lindsay_olsen]

@lindsay_olsen - @hailey_lampe I saw that you're also permitting a farm in Washington State. If you haven't seen this, wanted to flag Mike's post in case it's helpful!