A7
THE ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019
OBITUARIES
Michael Edwin Seppala
Astoria
May 25, 1943 — Oct. 10, 2019
Steve Ringman/Seattle Times
Oysters are harvested in Willipa Bay.
Oyster growers agree to stop
use of insecticide in Willapa Bay
By HAL BERNTON
Seattle Times
A southwest Washington oyster growers
association has abandoned a quest to use a
controversial insecticide that combats bur-
rowing shrimp, a creature that can make
tidelands unfi t for shellfi sh farming.
In a settlement reached last week, the
Willapa Grays Harbor Growers Associa-
tion agreed to accept a 2018 state Ecology
Department denial of the proposed use of
imidacloprid and drop an appeal to the state
Pollution Control Hearings Board.
The growers wanted to use the insecti-
cide to spray up to 500 annually of the more
than 12,000 acres of tidelands used for shell-
fi sh cultivation in Willapa Bay and Grays
Harbor. Without the spray, the growers say
they lose productive tidelands to the shrimp,
which churn up sediment and can cause oys-
ters, as well as clams, to suffocate in the
muck.
The proposed imidacloprid spraying was
opposed by National Marine Fisheries Ser-
vice because of risks to other marine life,
and it triggered a public backlash led by
some high-profi le Seattle chefs.
The settlement, however, could set the
stage for another type of insecticide attack
on the shrimp. That’s because it calls for
development of an alternative control
plan to include chemical, as well as other
approaches, according to a 15-page settle-
ment document fi led last week with the state.
Though the settlement says chemical
use should be minimized, it also lays out a
timetable of 2020 fi eld trials of any alterna-
tive insecticides that appear feasible to kill
the burrowing shrimp, and a joint effort by
Ecology and the growers to secure $650,000
from the Legislature to fund a broader
research effort.
“This is one of the hopes of the settle-
ment, that we can fi nd these alternatives.
Currently, nothing has been identifi ed,” said
David Beugli, project coordinator for the
Willapa Grays Harbor association, which
signed the agreement.
Beugli said that not all the association’s
members were involved in the appeal.
Colleen Keltz, an Ecology Department
spokeswoman, noted the agreement still has
to be approved by the state board to become
fi nal.
Oyster aquaculture is the biggest-dol-
lar contributor to a state shellfi sh-farming
industry that generates nearly $150 million
annually, according to a 2013 study, and
in some rural areas of coastal Washington,
such as Willapa Bay, is an important source
of jobs and tax revenue.
Intensive cultivation of oysters and other
shellfi sh can have adverse impacts on other
marine life that inhabit tidal areas. And last
week, critics of these operations gained a
signifi cant federal court victory when U.S.
District Judge Robert Lasnik tossed out a
permit the Army Corps of Engineers had
issued for Washington state shellfi sh farms
in a ruling that will mean more federal envi-
ronmental scrutiny.
Critics of the oyster farms also have long
fought the industry’s use of pesticides.
For years, growers in the Willapa Bay
area used carbaryl, a chemical that affects
the nervous system and can kill aquatic life.
After carbaryl was phased out, some grow-
ers sought permission to use imidacloprid,
a neurotoxin that can also harm marine life.
But in 2018, the Ecology Department
turned down that request, triggering the
growers’ appeal that will end if the settle-
ment is approved by the state board.
The agreement would set up a “work-
ing group” to develop the alternative plan. It
would include state and industry offi cials as
well as a mutually agreed upon environmen-
tal representative.
During the appeal process, some environ-
mental critics of the oyster growers gained
status as “intervenors.” One of those inter-
venors, Larry Warnberg, said he had hoped
to participate in the settlement talks but
was excluded. He intends to participate in
a state-board conference call Monday about
the settlement and will request more time for
comment.
Warnberg and other intervenors do
not want a new chemical used to fi ght the
shrimp.
“Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor are
unique and fragile places. Our understand-
ing is many oyster and clam growers have
successfully achieved a balance between
the shrimp and their farmed shellfi sh with-
out the use of dangerous pesticides,” said a
statement released by three intervenors —
the Center for Food Safety, Center for Bio-
logical Diversity and Coalition to Protect
Puget Sound Habitat.
The burrowing shrimp include two spe-
cies, a mud shrimp that has been in sharp
decline because of a parasitic infection and
ghost shrimp, whose numbers have been
on the rise both in areas that were formerly
sprayed and other coastal areas.
The reasons the ghost shrimp population
has increased are not well understood, in
part, because there is not a lot of long-term
information, according to a state environ-
mental study. Researchers have suggested
that changes in the watersheds caused by
human activities such as logging, farming
and shellfi sh farming, may have boosted
their populations. They also may have ben-
efi ted from shifts in climatic conditions,
according to the study.
John Chapman, an Oregon State Univer-
sity scientist, said the ghost shrimp sift the
sediments as they feed, and this can end up
burying oysters.
“They (the shrimp) are essentially mining
the sand,” Chapman said.
Beugli said areas taken over by the
shrimp are some of Willapa Bay’s prime
sites for oyster production and have high
value to growers. Some acreage, though,
can no longer be used for oysters, accord-
ing to Beugli.
Mechanical treatments, such as deep har-
rowing that stirs up sediments, may be used
to control the shrimp. But these tactics also
can have adverse effects.
Under the settlement, researchers would
continue to search for other means to kill the
shrimp. The documents also call for stud-
ies that would put dye in the water to better
understand how chemicals, if applied, move
through the estuaries.
SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
TODAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Michael Edwin Seppala, 76, of Yuma, They lived in Walluski until 1997, when
Arizona, passed away Oct. 10, 2019.
they moved to Yuma, where he worked
Mike was born in Astoria, Oregon, on for the Yuma County Water Users’ Asso-
ciation as a mechanic, retiring in
May 25, 1943. He was the fi rst-
2008.
born son of Henry and Evelyn
His boss stated at his retire-
Seppala. He attended schools in
ment that he had never heard
Astoria, graduating from Astoria
anyone say an unkind word
High School in 1960.
against Mike. Even in retire-
He worked for a time in Port-
ment, Mike had a shop at home
land, for Fashioncraft Furniture,
and continued to do mechanic
until he joined the Air Force, and
work until failing health made
was honorably discharged after
him stop.
serving four years.
He was an avid reader, espe-
Following his discharge, he
Michael Seppala
cially the westerns of Louis
returned home to Astoria and
L’Amour, and he had an amaz-
worked for his parents at Green-
wood Cemetery. He later worked as a ing retention of anything he read. He also
mechanic for Crown Zellerbach and John- loved the music of Johnny Cash and other
son Motors. He drove cement trucks for older country singers. Hearing newer
Gordon Perrigo, and loved telling stories country singers, he would often say, “that’s
not country music.”
of driving “The Queen.”
Michael is survived by his wife, Patty;
His passion for mechanics led him to
open his fi rst repair shop across the old sisters Mary Tolonen (Arnold) of Ver-
Youngs Bay bridge, until he built his home nonia and Barbara Wells (James) of
and shop in Walluski. As “Sepp’s Auto,” Knappa; stepchildren Brian Edwards (Jen-
Mike had a reputation for being able to fi x nifer) of Hurst, Texas, and Tammy Babb
anything from an outboard motor to a Cat- (Mike) of Yuma; nine grandchildren; four
erpillar D8. He repaired many a log truck great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces
and dump truck, keeping those indepen- and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father,
dent operators on the road.
In 1975, he married Linda Hill. They Henry; mother, Evelyn; and his stepfather,
later divorced, but he remained close to his Ralph Williams.
A family memorial gathering will be
stepdaughters, Tammy and Kim.
In 1993, he married Patty Norman. held at a later date.
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MONDAY
REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
60 42
Rather cloudy
60 42
64 45
Partly sunny
Sunny and
pleasant
58 44
55 39
56 36
Plenty of
sunshine
Showers
Mostly sunny
around; cooler
54 40
Mostly sunny
Aberdeen
Olympia
59/42
59/46
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Sunday
Tonight’s Sky: Last Quarter
Moon at 5:41 a.m. PDT.
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 57/47
Normal high/low .................. 60/44
Record high .................. 76 in 1938
Record low .................... 33 in 1949
Precipitation
Sunday ..................................... 0.15”
Month to date ........................ 5.66”
Normal month to date ......... 3.23”
Year to date .......................... 37.45”
Normal year to date ........... 43.47”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2019
Time
9:18 a.m.
8:26 p.m.
6.3 2:34 a.m.
7.0 2:53 p.m.
Cape Disappointment
9:01 a.m.
8:09 p.m.
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
Sunrise today .................. 7:42 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 6:18 p.m.
Moonrise today ........... 12:30 a.m.
Moonset today .............. 3:55 p.m.
Last
New
First
Full
9:09 a.m.
8:21 p.m.
Warrenton
9:13 a.m.
8:21 p.m.
Knappa
9:55 a.m.
9:03 p.m.
Depoe Bay
Oct 21 Oct 27 Nov 4 Nov 12
8:18 a.m.
7:19 p.m.
0.5
3.3
6.0 1:42 a.m.
6.5 2:10 p.m.
0.1
3.4
6.5 2:04 a.m.
7.2 2:29 p.m.
0.2
3.4
6.7 2:18 a.m.
7.4 2:37 p.m.
0.6
3.4
6.6 3:35 a.m.
7.3 3:54 p.m.
0.4
2.8
6.5 1:15 a.m.
7.1 1:39 p.m.
0.4
3.8
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Today
Hi/Lo/W
Wed.
Hi/Lo/W
72/47/pc
60/56/r
51/37/c
76/52/s
64/39/s
87/77/c
80/53/s
93/66/s
90/78/pc
63/55/r
91/61/s
76/56/s
68/51/t
68/48/s
67/47/r
58/44/pc
79/59/s
55/26/pc
87/75/pc
79/59/s
89/64/s
90/79/pc
65/46/s
91/63/s
76/59/s
66/45/s
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
61/36
Kennewick Walla Walla
67/42 Lewiston
69/41
67/43
Hermiston
The Dalles 71/42
Enterprise
Pendleton 57/33
68/41
70/42
La Grande
60/36
64/42
NATIONAL CITIES
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
Pullman
65/36
61/42
Salem
59/37
Yakima 68/36
Longview
60/42 Portland
64/44
Spokane
63/39
61/40
61/38
Astoria
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Corvallis
65/42
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64/42
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65/45
63/33
61/40
Ontario
62/36
Caldwell
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62/27
61/38
Medford
69/45
Klamath Falls
64/30
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
60/32/pc
65/50/c
58/44/c
64/40/c
59/45/c
Wed.
Hi/Lo/W
57/25/pc
66/56/pc
58/43/pc
61/40/pc
58/45/pc
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
63/49/c
68/52/c
59/43/c
65/47/c
64/41/c
Wed.
Hi/Lo/W
63/46/pc
66/42/pc
60/43/pc
61/38/pc
61/41/pc