BOW, Wash. — The Swinomish tribe is in a legal battle with Taylor Shellfish.
The argument is over a national permit’s use for shellfish farming operations in Washington and whether it adequately considers the environmental impact of those farms.
Last month, a federal judge ruled that the Army Corps permit does not meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act.
It has not been decided whether to vacate that permit, which would shut down shellfish farms, or leave it in place.
The Coalition to Protect Puget Sound Habitat, the Center for Food Safety and the Swinomish tribe each filed lawsuits against the Army Corps while Taylor Shellfish Farms sided with the agency against vacating the permit.