In short: Following a recommendation from its Marine Resources Committee (MRC), the California Fish and Game Commission has approved public interest criteria and a framework for evaluating if a new state water bottom lease for aquaculture purposes is in the public interest. The Commission also approved an enhanced application review process for new state water bottom lease applications for aquaculture purposes.
More details: After discussions at multiple MRC meetings and various iterations of public documents, MRC developed its recommendations in July 2023 for the Commission to support advancing the proposed public interest criteria evaluation framework and an enhanced lease application review and approval process.
At its August meeting, the Commission approved MRC’s recommendation and directed staff to work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other agency partners to implement the proposed enhanced lease application process.
Commission staff offers its most sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the process to develop the public interest criteria and enhanced lease process. We are grateful for your contributions and support as we navigated the complexities and challenges associated with the project.
Additional details are available in the approved public interest criteria evaluation framework document and the figures depicting the enhanced leasing process. Please reach out to staff at fgc@fgc.ca.gov if you have any questions.
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