The Marine Resources Commission on June 24 voted to table consideration of the Oyster Valley lease until the commission’s July meeting and asked the two parties to meet and seek a compromise.

Commissioners said the timetable for completing a required survey and allowing the statutory 30-day public comment period makes it unlikely the matter could be fully ready for a July decision. Commissioner Erskine moved to table the item to the July meeting; Commissioner Kellam seconded the motion. The motion passed with three yes votes, two no votes and two abstentions.

The commission’s staff noted that if the footprint of the lease is changed the application would need to be re-advertised in its new footprint and re-noticed for public comment. Staff also said survey costs would be borne by the applicant and that, even with meetings between the parties before July, there would be insufficient time to complete a new survey and complete the 30-day public comment period prior to the July meeting. Commissioner White asked whether 30 days would be enough time and whether any petitions or public-notice steps would be required; staff replied that changing the size would likely require re-advertising.

During discussion, Ms. Edwards expressed sympathy for the applicant’s economic position and said she regretted that the commission was not moving forward with accepting the current proposal. The commission clarified that placing the item on the July agenda would not itself guarantee a vote in July; the agenda listing would provide a deadline for the two parties to meet and report back on progress.

The tabling motion instructed staff to return the item to the July agenda and gave the parties a deadline to confer and report on any compromise. The motion’s recorded outcome was three in favor, two opposed and two abstentions; the commission secretary recorded the motion as carried. The commission did not adopt any substantive changes to the lease at the meeting.

The commission will take up the Oyster Valley lease again at its July meeting, at which time members said they expect an update on whether the applicant has started and paid for any required survey work.