Applying for Operation Permit

There are two main types of aquatic farm amendments:

  1. a Joint-agency Amendment requires multiple agency reviews, for instance when modifications to an aquatic farm operation are proposed such as an increase or decrease in acreage or significant gear change (size and quantity);
  2. a Single Agency Amendment requires only a Department of Fish and Game review , for instance when an aquatic farm operation proposes adding or removing a species to be cultured or wants to make changes to culture gear, equipment, support facilities, or the aquatic farm operations.

The Aquatic Farm Operations Amendment Matrix below can be used as a guide to identify the various types of proposed changes and the agency requirements and forms that apply to each type of an amendment request for an aquatic farm.

Aquatic Farm Operations Amendment Matrix (PDF 19 kB)

Joint-agency Amendment

An aquatic farm that wants to propose an amendment to an existing ADF&G Aquatic Farm Operation Permit and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) aquatic farm lease is required to submit a completed Joint-Agency Amendment request form to DNR for review and approval by both agencies. Use the Joint-agency Aquatic Farm Amendment request form to request changes to the size of an aquatic farm site (increases or decreases) and significant changes in gear, equipment, and facilities.

Operation Permit Amendment Request Form (Joint-agency) (PDF 883 kB) DNR requires a fee to review and process this type of amendment

Refer to the Amendment Matrix (PDF 19 kB) to determine agency requirements for the changes proposed.

To amend an ADF&G Aquatic Farm Operation Permit and DNR Aquatic Farm Lease you must submit:

  • Joint-Agency Aquatic Farm Amendment Request Form
  • Site Plan for increase and decreases to acreage, if applicable
  • Cross-sectional and over-head drawings for significant gear, equipment, and facility changes, if applicable
  • Updated Project Description to reflect requested changes, if applicable — see Project Description Outline (Word doc 23 kB)
  • Fee to DNR (inquire with DNR for the fee amount)

The list of items to be included for additional documents (maps, site plan, cross-sectional diagram detailed and drawings) and examples provided can be found on the Applying for Operation Permit webpage.

Single Agency Amendment

The Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) requires permit holders to obtain an Aquatic Farm Operation Permit Amendment for any changes to an active Aquatic Farm Operation Permit. An ADF&G Aquatic Farm Operation Permit Amendment Request Form must be submitted to ADF&G for review of any proposed changes to farm operations, insignificant changes to gear, addition or deletion of species, or changes to the operation and development plans.

ADF&G Aquatic Farm Operation Permit Amendment Request Form (Word doc 83 kB). ADF&G requires no fee to review and process an amendment.

Permit holders should refer to the Amendment Matrix (PDF 19 kB) to determine agency requirements for the changes proposed.

To amend an ADF&G Aquatic Farm Operation Permit and DNR Aquatic Farm Lease you must submit:

  • ADF&G Aquatic Farm Operation Permit Amendment Request Form
  • Cross-sectional and over-head drawings for any gear, equipment, and facility changes, if applicable
  • Updated Project Description to reflect requested changed, if applicable — see Project Description Outline (Word doc 23 kB)

The list of items to be included for additional documents (maps, site plan, cross-sectional diagram detailed and drawings) and examples provided can be found on the Applying for Operation Permit webpage.