The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to Natural Resources Article 4-1009.1 of Maryland's Annotated Code, proposes closing the following area of the Choptank River, Talbot County to oyster harvest for the purpose of creating the Black Buoy Oyster Harvest Reserve in the vicinity of the Black Buoy oyster bar.

The oyster harvest reserve area consists of all that portion of Natural Oyster Bars 16-3 and 16-4 enclosed by a line beginning at: A point at Latitude 38º34.353' N, Longitude 76º02.530' W; then running approximately 23º (true) to a point at Latitude 38º34.782' N, Longitude 76º02.293' W; then running approximately 114º (true) to a point at Latitude 38º34.567' N, Longitude 76º01.689' W; then running approximately 225º (true) to a point at Latitude 38º34.410' N, Longitude 76º01.887' W; then running approximately 256º (true) to a point at Latitude 38º34.355' N, Longitude 76º 12.175' W; then running approximately 270º (true) to the point of beginning

A public hearing will be held at 7:00pm on Thursday, October 27, 2005 at the Talbot County Public Free Library, 100 West Dover Street, Easton, MD. All interested parties are invited to attend and express their views. Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. Further information may be obtained by calling DNR Shellfish Program, Eric Campbell at (410) 260-8322.

The Department's goal is to contribute to the ecology and oyster industry of the bay. This area will be planted with oyster seed and occasionally opened for harvest when the criteria set by the State has been met.

Written comments may be sent to Eric Campbell, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or FAX (410) 260-8279. Comments must be received by Thursday November 10, 2005.