Zostera japonica management on commercial clam beds in Willapa Bay general permit

We issue coverage under this general permit when shellfish growers choose to use an herbicide (imazamox) to control the non-native eelgrass Zostera japonica on their commercial clam beds. Zostera japonica is a class C noxious weed that may be controlled on commercial clam beds but does not include use for control on geoduck and oyster beds. Physical and mechanical methods of Zostera japonica control are not regulated by this permit. Read our blog to find out more about the Zostera japonica permit.

The current permit went into effect April 4, 2020 and expires on March 3, 2025.

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Current permit and related document

aerial of willapa bay with small sections showing treatment areas, mostly on west side of bay — Click the map to enlarge.

Map of treatment areas

This map shows where treatments to control Z. japonica have been done between 2019 - 2023. An average of 82 acres of clam beds have been treated each year during this time. The total area of Willapa Bay is around 80,000 acres, with approximately 8,000 acres covered by the native eelgrass Z. marina, and about 6,000 acres covered by the invasive eelgrass Z. japonica.

Permit reissuance

The draft Zostera japonica Management general permit is available for public comment. A formal announcement was published in the Washington State Register on Nov. 20, 2024.

We invite comments on the draft permit document beginning at 12 a.m. on Nov. 21, 2024 until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2025. After it closes, we will publish a Response to Comments as an appendix to the Fact Sheet to address the comments submitted.

Draft documents for comment:

Documents to support the draft general permit:

Ways to comment:

Submit comments online (preferred)
By U.S. mail (postmarked by Jan. 14, 2025)
Shawn Ultican
WA Department of Ecology
PO Box 47696
Olympia, WA 98504-7696
Verbal testimony, at a public hearing

Workshops and hearings

We are hosting one virtual and one in-person public workshop where we will explain the proposed changes to the permit and answer questions. The hearings will begin directly after the public workshop and will end when public testimony is complete. During the hearing, the audience may give oral testimony and written comments on the proposed changes. Written comments will receive the same consideration as oral testimony.

Virtual Public Workshop and Hearing
Dec. 30, 2024 2 p.m.
Register for the webinar

In-Person Public Workshop and Hearing
Jan. 7, 2024 6 p.m.
Willapa Harbor Community Center
916 West First Street
South Bend, Washington, 98586
Free parking is available. No registration is required, but you are welcome to let us know if you plan to attend for planning purposes – email shawn.ultican@ecy.wa.gov.

We also heald an in-person informational workshop on November 6 to discuss the draft permit. A presentation on the draft permit was given, followed by questions and answers. No formal comments were taken during this meeting.

Timeline

Spring/Summer 2024: Gather early input on the permit.
August to October 2024: Develop draft permit.
Nov. 21, 2024 through Jan. 14, 2025: Formal public comment period on the draft permit
February 2025: Proposed permit reissuance.
March 3, 2025: Current permit expires

Permit application, forms, and resources

We are still updating these templates and will post them here as soon as they are available.

Signage template

Use this template for signage posted at all corners of the treatment sites, nearby public shoreline access areas, and public boat launches within ¼ mile of a treated area.

Ecology pre-treatment notification form

Complete this form and email it to Ecology aquaticpesticideperm@ecy.wa.gov at least 10 days before treatment begins.

Landowner notification template

This template is for providing written notice to owners of property adjacent to the treated areas at least 10 days prior to treatment.

Contact information

Shawn Ultican
Aquatic Pesticide Permit Specialist
shawn.ultican@ecy.wa.gov
360-870-3492

Eman Jabali
General Permit Administrator
eman.jabali@ecy.wa.gov
564-233-9135