The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin a small pilot program to allow geoduck aquaculture on a limited number of state-owned aquatic lands.

DNR will enter lease agreements with existing applicants once all environmental review and permitting processes are complete. Potential site assessment; State Environmental Policy Act review; issuance of local government conditional use permits; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Title 401 permitting; and Washington Department of Health Certification all remain before the geoduck aquaculture can begin.

DNR plans to require monitoring at geoduck cultivation sites on state-owned aquatic land to provide further study of the effects of geoduck aquaculture on the environment.