The Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service will hold three public hearings regarding a proposed oyster regulation which adds ten additional power dredge zones for the 2005-2006 oyster season to the current list of power dredge zones. The public hearings will be at: 7pm, on Wednesday, August 24, 2005, in the Somerset County Extension Office, Howard B. Anderson Bldg., Princess Anne Industrial Park, 30730 Park Drive, Princess Anne, MD; 7pm, on Monday, August 29, 2005, in the St. Mary's Government Center/Annex Bldg., Room 1, 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD; and 6pm, on Thursday, September 8, 2005, in the Talbot County Library, 100 East Dover Street, Easton, MD. All interested parties are invited to attend and give their views. Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations for individuals will be provided upon request.

If you would like to receive a copy of the proposed regulation or make comments, please contact Sarah Widman or Harley Speir, Fisheries Service, B-2, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401, or call (410) 260-8260, or fax to (410) 260-8278 or email to swidman@dnr.state.md.us. Maps of the proposed areas maybe viewed at: www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/ProposedPowerDredgeMaps2005.html. Comments must be received by September 19, 2005.