For the Friends of Burley Lagoon, it has been a challenging year opposing the Conditional Use Permit to allow Taylor Shellfish to plant one of the largest, 25.5-acre, geoduck farm in the County. After a challenging appeal before the Hearing Examiner, they group filled an appeal to the Shoreline Management Board.
Neighbors and volunteers spent hundreds of hours challenging the Environmental Impact Statement before the Pierce County Hearings Examiner. Then, as the group prepared for the Shoreline Board appeal it was with great relief that Taylor agreed to mediation as they faced a long legal, financial, and time-consuming litigation process.
The Shoreline Board facilitated the mediation and helped all the parties to find that Taylor Shellfish has common goals: preserving and protecting all of the Burley Lagoon environment.
In May Taylor Shellfish agreed to mediation that included Pierce County and the Washington Department of Ecology. The Agreement did more than allow the geoduck site in the lagoon–it provided for conservation protections in the estuary that achieved the high county standard of “no net loss of ecological function and values.”
This means that environmental damage will occur at the planting site, but it is offset by restoration, creation of new wildlife habitats, preventing decline in the environment’s quality.
There is much to like in the agreement. It preserves subtidal areas, prevents shellfish growing in stream ways. and provides for regular aquaculture debris pick-up. And most important the Aquaculture will be limited to a maximum of 175 acres out of the 300 acres leased.
For more information about the settlement agreement and changes made to regulations of PVC white pipes, netting and other conditions that will lessen the impact of Taylor’s activity, Read more here: www.friendsofburleylagoon.org
The Settlement was not the only thing happening around Burley Lagoon in 2025. The culvert replacement bridge and safety walkway was completed. Purdy was removed from the Urban Growth area by Pierce County, only to have the decision was appealed by the Rush Company.
Deserving special note in 2025, the founder and president of Friends of Burley Lagoon, Heather McFarlane. Known by many in the area, she retired and was honored by receiving an honorary title as Queen of the Lagoon.