Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project

Tools Developed for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project

Over 6 years of effort to develop the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project has resulted in the production of over 70 studies and reports related to the assessment, analysis, design, and other considerations for the establishment of an open ocean shellfish aquaculture farm. The following inventory table provides a list of the resources available between April 2015 and July 2021.

Catalog No. Document Title Author 1 Date

Initial Planning
01 Strategic Permitting Initiative to Substantially Increase Shellfish Farming in Southern California, 2015 NOAA Sea Grant Aquaculture Extension and Technology Transfer - Task I Deliverable: Strategic Permitting Plan (State Waters) Dudek May 2017
02 Draft Initial Study Checklist for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project; Appendix A: California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) Records Search Dudek August 2017
03 Strategic Permitting Initiative to Substantially Increase Shellfish Farming in Southern California, 2015 NOAA Sea Grant Aquaculture Extension and Technology Transfer - Task I Deliverable: Strategic Permitting Plan (Federal Waters Alternative) Dudek January 2018

Siting Considerations
04 Review of Proposed Alternative Site Adjacent to Summerland NOAA NCCOS -
05 CASS Technical Report, Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Aquaculture Siting Analysis Results NOAA NCCOS February 2019
06 Spatial Analysis to Evaluate Options for Siting Ventura Shellfish Enterprise in California State Waters, Santa Barbara Channel, California USA NOAA NCCOS September 2020

Technical Documents

Environmental
07 Biological Assessment for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project Dudek September 2018
08 Essential Fish Habitat Assessment for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project Dudek September 2018
09 Sediment and Water Quality Monitoring Plan for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project Dudek August 2019
10 Aquaculture Gear Monitoring & Marine Debris, and Wildlife Entanglement Plan for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project Dudek August 2019
11 Predator Control Management Plan for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project Dudek August 2019
12 Gear Removal Management Plan for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project Plauché and Carr August 2019
13 Ventura Shellfish Enterprise, Ventura Port District - Application #SPL-2017-00093-BLR, Sub-Permitting Proposal - -
14 Spill Prevention and Response Plan for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project Dudek August 2019
15 Attachment 13, List of Potential Biofouling Organisms for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project Dudek November 2019
16 Aquaculture Navigation Risk Assessment COWI July 2020
17 Aquaculture Navigation Risk Assessment - Responses to Public Comments COWI/VPD July 2020

Engineering
18 Evaluation of Mussel Backbone System in Extreme Storms - Phase II Report: Design Modifications Maine Marine Composites August 2019
19 Engineering Evaluation of Break-away Links and Cascading Failure Risk for a Mussel Backbone System Kelson Marine Co. November 2020

Operational
20 Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Preliminary Operations Plan Dudek November 2020
21 Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Preliminary Operations Plan - Responses to Comments VPD November 2020

Economic
22 Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis Illuminas Consulting November 2020
23 Grower Proforma (excel workbook) Scott Lindell November 2020,last update

Outreach / Other Resources
24-a Public Workshop 1: Introduction to Shellfish Aquaculture and the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Steve Gains, Everard Ashworth February 16, 2017
24-b Public Workshop 2: Biology of Bivalve Shellfish, Mussel Growing Technology and Equipment Doug Bush, Scott Lindell February 23, 2017
24-c Public Workshop 3: VSE Economic Impacts and Benefits Brian Pendleton,Richard Parsons, Everard Ashworth March 16, 2017
24-d Public Workshop 4: Environmental Effects and Best Management Practices James Morris April 11, 2017
24-e Public Workshop 5: VSE Production Site Selection Carrie Kappel May 11, 2017
24-f Public Workshop 6: Becoming a VSE Shellfish Producer Scott Lindell June 1, 2017
24-g Public Workshop 7: VSE Shellfish Quality and Safety Assurance Ralph Imondi,Masaaki Hori June 15, 2017
25 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Guide for Molluscan Shellfish Aquaculture Harvesting from Federal Waters US FDA No date

Agency Correspondence

Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)
26 Subject: Request for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Authorization of the Proposed Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD September 27, 2018
27-a Subject: Additional Information Request (SPL-2017-00093-BLR) Corps January 29, 2019
27-b Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Aquaculture Project Additional Information Request for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permit (SPL-2017-00093-BLR) Dudek March 1, 2019
28-a Public Notice/Application No. SPL-2017-00093-BLR Corps August 27, 2019
28-b Subject: Response to Public Notice Comments, Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Aquaculture Project, File No. SPL-2017-00093-BLR Dudek November 15, 2019
29 Subject: Request for Resolution to Continue Processing Permit Application Corps January 15, 2020
30 Subject: Withdrawal of Permit Application Corps February 18, 2020

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
31-a Subject: Review of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 10 Permit Application USCG November 1, 2019
31-b Subject: Follow-Up Submittals for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project, Ventura, California Dudek August 14, 2020
32-a Subject: USCG Sector LA-LB Waterways Management Division Review of the Ventura Port District Aquaculture Navigation Risk Assessment USCG February 3, 2021
32-b Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Aquaculture Project - Navigation Risk Assessment Information Request Dudek March 12, 2021

NOAA Fisheries / National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
33 Subject: Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project (SPL-2017-00093-BLR) Corps May 2, 2019
34-a Subject: [Non-DoD Source] Ventura Shellfish Aquaculture ESA Consultation Response [Informal Email] NMFS July 2, 2019
34-b Subject: Responses to NOAA Fisheries Request for Information for ESA Consultation for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Aquaculture Project Dudek November 6, 2019
35 Letter Topic: Initiation of Informal Consultation and consult on Essential Fish Habitat NMFS November 18,2019

Pacific Fishery Management Council Habitat Committee
36 Presentation: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise VPD, K&L Gates,Dudek June 11, 2020

California Coastal Commission (CCC)
37 Subject: Coastal Consistency Certification - Ventura Shellfish Enterprise VPD September 27,2018
38-a Re: Consistency Certification No. CC-0009-18 - Ventura Shellfish Enterprise CCC November 2, 2018
38-b Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Aquaculture Project Additional Information Request for CCC Consistency Certification No. CC-0009-18 Dudek August 16, 2019
39-a Re: Consistency Certification No. CC-0009-18 - Ventura Shellfish Enterprise CCC September 13,2019
39-b Re: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise - CC-0009-18 K&L Gates February 28, 2020

Ventura Port District Board of Port Commissioners (April 2015 through July 2021)
Staff Reports Related to the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project

Note: The most recent version of documents presented at VPD Board Meetings are provided above.
All meeting agendas are available at https://venturaharbor.com/board-meetings-minutes-archive/
       
40 Subject: Approval to Submit a Grant Application to Sea Grant to Define a Permitting Strategy to Secure Entitlements for Commercial Shell Fish Operations VPD April 8, 2015
41 Subject: Ventura Harbor Shellfish Production Initiative VPD July 8, 2015
42 Subject: Acceptance of $94,810 Shellfish Grant VPD October 14, 2015
43 Subject: Approval of Professional Services Agreement with Dudek VPD October 14, 2015
44 Subject: Approval of Professional Services Agreement with Plauché & Carr, LLP VPD October 14, 2015
45 Subject: Approval of Professional Services Agreement with Scott Lindell VPD October 14, 2015
46 Subject: Approval of Professional Services Agreement for Special Legal Services2 VPD June 22, 2016
47 Subject: Acceptance of $169,660 Shellfish Grant VPD September 28,2016
48 Subject: Approval of First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Plauché & Carr, LLP VPD September 28, 2016
49 Subject: Approval of First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Dudek VPD September 28,2016
50 Subject: Approval of First Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Scott Lindell VPD September 28, 2016
51 Subject: Approval of Professional Services Agreement for Special Legal Services VPD September 28,2016
52 Subject: Shellfish Grant - Leasing Alternatives and Operational Structures VPD January 11, 2017
53 Subject: 2015 NOAA Sea Grant Aquaculture Extension and Technology Transfer Grant VPD February 8, 2017
54 Subject: Approval of 2017 Aquaculture Sea Grant VPD April 26, 2017
55 Subject: SeaSketch VPD May 10, 2017
56 Subject: Approval of Amendment to Professional Services Agreement for Special Legal Services for the Venture Shellfish Enterprise VPD June 14, 2017
57 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise - Strategic Permitting Plan VPD June 14, 2017
58 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Site Selection Workshops VPD July 26, 2017
59 Subject: Approval of Third Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Dudek VPD September 13,2017
60 Subject: Acceptance of 10-Month No-Cost Extension to 2015 Shellfish Grant VPD September 13,2017
61 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Site Selection Workshops VPD September 13,2017
62 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Site Selection Alternatives VPD September 27,2017
63 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Site Selection Alternatives VPD October 11, 2017
64 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Site Selection VPD November 15,2017
65 Subject: Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission Grant Application for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD January 24, 2018
66 Subject: Approval of Plauché & Carr, LLP Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement for Special Services VPD January 24, 2018
67 Subject: Approval of 2018 Aquaculture Sea Grant VPD February 28, 2018
68 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise VPD March 28, 2018
69 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Site Selection VPD September 12,2018
70 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Site Selection VPD September 26,2018
71 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Approval of Fifth Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Dudek VPD October 10, 2018
72 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Approval of Fourth Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Plauché & Carr, LLP VPD October 10, 2018
73 Subject: Acceptance of $169,860 Sea Grant Sub-Award for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD November 14, 2018
74 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Approval of New Professional Services Agreement with Dudek for the 2018 NOAA Sea Grant Tasks VPD January 16, 2019
75 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Approval of New Professional Services Agreement with Plauché & Carr, LLP for the 2018 NOAA Sea Grant Tasks VPD January 16, 2019
76 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Approval of New Professional Services Agreement with Maine Marine Composites for the 2018 NOAA Sea Grant Tasks VPD February 6, 2019
77 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Approval of New Professional Services Agreement with Dudek for Continued Support of the 2018 NOAA Sea Grant Tasks VPD July 3, 2019
78 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Approval of New Professional Services Agreement with Plauché & Carr, LLP for Continued Support of the 2018 NOAA Sea Grant Tasks VPD July 3, 2019
79 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Status Report VPD July 17, 2019
80 Subject: Acceptance of $96,800 CA Sea Grant Subaward Grant for Year 2 VPD November 20,2019
81 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement with Dudek for the 2018 NOAA Sea Grant Tasks - Year 2 VPD February 19, 2020
82 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Approval of Amendment No. 1 for two Professional Services Agreements with Plauché & Carr, LLP for Support of the 2018 NOAA Sea Grant Tasks VPD February 19, 2020
83 Subject: Approval of New Professional Services Agreement with K&L Gates for Continued Legal Services for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD February 19, 2020
84 Subject: Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with COWI for an Aquaculture Navigation Risk Assessment for the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD March 4, 2020
85 Subject: Draft Navigation Risk Assessment for the Proposed Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD July 1, 2020
86 Subject: Consideration of Navigation Risk Assessment for the Proposed Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD July 15, 2020
87 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Status Report VPD July 15, 2020
88 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Professional Services Agreement with Dudek for Environmental Consulting Services VPD July 15, 2020
89 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Professional Services Agreement with K&L Gates for Legal Consulting Services VPD July 15, 2020
90 Subject: Consideration of Preliminary Operations Plan and Draft Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the Proposed Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD September 2, 2020
91 Subject: Acceptance of 12-Month No-Cost Extension to 2018 California Sea Grant VPD September 16,2020
92 Subject: Consideration of Preliminary Operations Plan and Draft Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the Proposed Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD October 7, 2020
93 Subject: Consideration of Operations Plan and Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the Proposed Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD November 18, 2020
94 Subject: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Next Steps VPD March 17, 2021
95 Subject: Approval of First Amendment to a Professional Services Agreement with Dudek for Environmental and Administrative Support Consulting Services related to the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD April 7, 2021
96 Subject: Approval of First Amendment to a Professional Services Agreement with K&L Gates LLP for Legal Consulting Services related to the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project VPD April 7, 2021
97 Subject: Receive and File the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Annual Report VPD July 7, 2021

2021 Public Outreach Presentations
Catalog No. Presentation Title Organization and Location Date
       
98 Ventura Harbor: Opportunities for Offshore Aquaculture off the California Coast Aquaculture America
(San Antonio, TX)		 August 14, 2021
99 Navigating Permitting Requirements for Offshore Shellfish Aquaculture: Challenges and Opportunities Faced by the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Project Aquaculture America
(San Antonio, TX)		 August 14, 2021
100 Case Study: Ventura Shellfish Enterprise in the Santa Barbara Channel Association of Environmental Professionals
(Virtual and Long Beach, CA		 August 16, 2021
101 Aquaculture in the Santa Barbara Channel: The Next Steps Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association
(Virtual)		 September 20, 2021

Final California Sea Grant Report
Catalog No. Presentation Title Organization and Location Date
       
102 Ventura Shellfish Enterprise: Implementing an Integrative Model for New Shellfish Aquaculture Permitting and Production in Federal Waters Proximate to Ventura, California. K&L Gates, Dudek, Coastal Marine Biolabs October 2021
       

Misc Documents/Links
Title Link Date
       
  7 Things to Know About The Ventura Shellfish Enterprise Download April, 2019
  Ventura Harbor navigates waters of offshore aquaculture shellfish farming View September, 2019
  JULY 2019 VSE UPDATE Download July, 2019
  2021 KEY DECISION View April, 2021

Notes:
1 CCC = California Coastal Commission; Corps = U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; NMFS = National Marine Fisheries Service (also known as NOAA Fisheries); NOAA NCCOS = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science; VPD = Ventura Port District; USCG = United States Coast Guard.

2 This topic was pulled from the agenda and deferred to a future meeting. See the related Staff Report on September 28, 2016.