“The purpose of the mariculture component of the LCP is to provide guidance for the use of mariculture sites in the coastal zone, consistent with the policies of the Coastal Act,” said Kristin Drumm, county planner reading from the staff report.

The Coastal Act lists aquaculture as an allowable use but its the California Coastal Commission, the Department of Fish and Game as well as the National Park Service (for Drakes Estero) that has the authority when issuing permits and making land use decisions.

“We will continue to support mariculture as guidance for other agencies,” Drumm said. “Mariculture permits are not in our jurisdiction.” 

Historically, the LCP supports mariculture. In the current LCP, the language within the national park reads as follows:

“Existing mariculture operations are encouraged and should be permitted to continue in the parks. Additional mariculture activities should be considered provided that they do not conflict with public access, recreation, or the protection of visual resources. New mariculture activities should be subject to consistency review by the Coastal Commission.”

Planners have not changed the language for the new draft but have made changes elsewhere. For example, they have eliminated the language describing acreage limits, size limits on leases, and timetables of leases. They have also eliminated the section prohibiting importation of exotic species and requirements to map eelgrass beds, water depth and document cultivation techniques for coastal permits.

Gordon Bennett, Marin representative for the Sierra Club in a comment letter to the county suggested adding more language that would prohibit seed stock whether non native or native that had the capability to reproduce. “NPS and DFG must approve only: seed stock free of hitchhikers and disease, cultivation of native species or non-native species if incapable of reproduction,” wrote Bennett. Ag supporters worry the action could essentially prohibit cultivation of native oysters and scallops.

“Mariculture operations should be monitored by NPS to ensure that they are compatible with resource protection and enhanced biodiversity,” Bennett said.

Remaining agricultural issues

Planners will also cover the remaining agricultural issues left over from the last year’s workshop on agriculture.

While the LCP supports maintaining and protecting agricultural lands in the coastal zone, it also tries to address conflicts with the residential uses on the land. One major change to the document is facilitating the intergenerational transfer of agricultural operations. “Intergenerational transfer is a key to long-term agricultural,” say the authors of the staff report.

The new policy allows an additional unit on parcels of 120 acres or more without having to subdivide the land and without requiring both a master plan and an agricultural production and stewardship plan. It also does not require the residents of the home to be directly involved with the “day to day” agricultural operations.

The meeting will also cover Bed and Breakfast operations allowing up to five guest rooms and farm stands. County staff added language that requires 80 percent of the products sold be made on-site or locally. Twenty percent of the products can be from Sonoma or Napa County, they say. Farm stands less than 500 square feet will not require a permit.

County planners also added wording in support sustainable agriculture and land conservation with the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) and approaches to improve agricultural viability such as allowing for farm stands.

In all, the document reviews language in support of agriculture and reviews definitions of both “accessory uses” and conditional uses from silos and milking barns to child day care centers, dog kennels, private stables and plant nurseries.

The workshop is set for 1 pm on Monday, March 8, in room 328, of the Civic Center.