Taylor Shellfish Company has reached a settlement with nearby homeowners and environmental advocates that will allow a large proposed Pierce County geoduck farm to move forward, subject to several restrictions.
Signed by both parties on April 16 and filed April 18 with the state Shorelines Hearings Board , it marks an end to years of dispute between the company and local nonprofits including Friends of Burley Lagoon and the Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat . The groups raised concerns about the proposed 25.5-acre farm’s impact to marine habitat and light and noise disturbance to surrounding homes.
Per the settlement, Friends of Burley Lagoon filed a request that the state Shorelines Hearings Board dismiss their pending appeal of certain permits granted for the farm. As of Saturday, the hearings board has yet to issue a final decision on all motions filed in the case, but on April 21 struck the scheduled date for the appeal hearing from the records, according to Janey Aiken, who signed the settlement on behalf of Friends of Burley Lagoon and the Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat…