HomeMy WebLinkAboutCUP 194A; Aquaculture Systems International; Conditional Use Permit (CUP) (19)July 23, 1990
Dr. Douglas W. Price
State Shellfish Specialist
Department of Health Services
50 "D" Street, Suite 205
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Dear Dr. Price:
The City of Carlsbad is currently reviewing an application to renew a Conditional Use
Permit for Seafarms West, Inc. to continue a mariculture operation in Agua Hedionda
Lagoon. The attached Department of Health Services Growing Area Certificate and letter
containing provisions for operating under the certificate have been obtained from Dr.
Richard Glenn as part of the application review process. Provision number one listed in
the letter stipulates that, "Seafarms West shall not supply to the public any shellfish
harvested from growing waters adversely affected by human sewage, sewage effluent,
animal wastes, toxic chemicals, oil or other pollutants."
City staff are concerned that this provision is not being met based on information
presented in the September 1989 Agua Hedionda Lagoon Study co-authored by yourself
and Patrick Wells. The study indicates that mussels oat meeting National Shellfish
Sanitation Program (NSSP) standards were harvested from water which meet NSSP
standards. The study also states that because NSSP water quality standards were
adopted based on coliform relationships demonstrated for oysters and clams, the
standards might not be applicable to mussels.
The study suggests that mussels might concentrate fecal coliform organisms at levels
which exceed NSSP standards even if they are grown in water which meets standards.
It is my understanding that any adverse affects to shellfish from the coliform
concentrations in growing waters in Agua Hedionda Lagoon are eliminated by holding
the shellfish in wet-storage facilities for 48 hours prior to shipment to market.
I request a response from your office concerning the following questions:
1. Is water in the Seafarms West, Inc. growing area of Agua Hedionda Lagoon
adversely affected by human sewage, sewage effluent, animal wastes, toxic
chemicals, oil or other pollutants?
2075 Las Palmas Drive Carlsbad, California 92009-4859 (619) 438-1161
Page 2
July 23, 1990
Dr. Douglas W. Price
2. Is it safe for Seafarms West, Inc. to continue its business as it presently operates?
3. What would cause water in Agua Hedionda Lagoon to become unsafe for
Seafarms West, Inc. to continue as it presently operates?
Thank you for your help.
LLO~ B. HUBBS
City Engineer
LBH:FB:plg
c: Anne Hysong, Planning Dept. /
Attachment