Currently in the process of consideration by the California Assembly, a bill which seeks to improve the efficiency of review processes for aquaculture projects has received support across both political parties and has been passed on to the next phase of the legislative process.
Introduced by Assemblywoman Diane Papan, Bill AB 3220 directs the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to look into seeking state verification authority from the US Army Corps of Engineers, along with any other appropriate federal agencies, in order to streamline the process of review and approval of federal permits issued for mariculture projects.
Sponsored by the marine solutions organisation AltaSea, the bill aims to expedite the approval for aquaculture projects, which are defined in the legislation as “agriculture devoted to the propagation, cultivation, maintenance, and harvesting of aquatic plants and animals in marine water.”
A second bill promoting the development of carbon dioxide removal projects, also sponsored by AltaSea, was also successfully passed on to the California State Appropriations Committee.
“We applaud Assemblymembers Muratsuchi and Papan for their important work to help streamline carbon removal and mariculture projects. This legislation, if passed and signed by the Governor, will reduce emissions and support California’s environmental sustainability goals,” said Terry Tamminen, president and chief executive of AltaSea, in a press release from the organisation.
“The bipartisan support these bills have garnered once again highlight California’s leadership on climate initiatives. We look forward to this continued momentum in growing our blue economy,” he concluded.
