Eelgrass Damage Must Cease

June 1, 2003


After evading the law for over a decade, the nation's largest oyster corporation was ordered in late June to "cease and desist" its operations in Humboldt Bay. Coast Seafoods Corporation leases approximately 25% of the public tidelands in Humboldt Bay for its oyster cultivation operations, and is responsible for extensive damage to eelgrass meadows and other aquatic habitat.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took this rare enforcement action after the company obstinately refused to obtain permits that are required under the federal Clean Water Act and California Coastal Act.

In December 2001, EPIC put both the Army Corps and Coast Seafoods on formal notice that we will file a federal lawsuit if these violations go uncorrected. We subsequently met with the company's attorneys, attended regular agency meetings, and closely followed its actions.

At first it seemed Coast Seafoods intended to comply and undergo environmental review of its operations. However, the company recently hired a new law firm to help it escape rather than follow the law, presenting erroneous legal claims to argue that it is immune from any and all regulatory actions. EPIC is certain that a federal court will not agree, and our staff and attorneys are prepared to file suit to protect the shorebirds, salmon, and delicate eelgrass habitat in Humboldt Bay.

EPIC thanks our members and supporters who contacted the Army Corps on this issue!


This article can be found online at www.wildcalifornia.org/publications/article-70