The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to Natural Resources Articles §4-1103 and §4-1009.1 of Maryland's Annotated Code, proposes that the following areas of the Chester River and Prospect Bay, Queen Anne County, be closed to shellfish harvest for the purpose of establishing two oyster sanctuaries and an oyster harvest reserve.

Chester River - Strong Bay Oyster Sanctuary All of the area enclosed by a line (including all of Natural Oyster Bar 5-13), beginning at a point at or near corner 1 of Natural Oyster Bar 5-13, defined by Lat 39º 00.87' N and Long 76º 16.64' W; then running approximately 270º True to a point at or near corner 2 of Natural Oyster Bar 5-13, defined by Lat 39º 00.87' N and Long 76º 17.13' W; then running approximately 342º True to a point, defined by Lat 39º 01.20' N and Long 76º 17.27' W; then running approximately 321º True to a point, defined by Lat 39º 01.90' N and Long 76º 180.0' W; then running approximately 60º True to a point, defined by Lat 39º 020.0' N and Long 76º 17.78' W; then running approximately 142º True to a point, defined by Lat 39º 01.47' N and Long 76º 17.25' W; then running approximately 88º True to a point at or near corner 4 of Natural Oyster Bar 5-13, defined by Lat 39º 01.48' N and Long 76º 16.84' W; then running approximately 166º True to the point of beginning.

Chester River - Emory Hollow Oyster Harvest Reserve All of the waters of the Chester River enclosed by a line beginning at a point, defined by Latitude 39º 05.99' N and Longitude 76º 07.75' W; then running approximately 342º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 39º 06.16' N and Longitude 76º 07.82' W; then running approximately 68º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 39º 06.42' N and Longitude 76º 07.02' W; then running approximately 205º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 39º 06.31' N and Longitude 76º 07.09' W; then running approximately 228º (true) to a point, defined by Latitude 39º 06.10' N and Longitude 76º 07.38' W; then running approximately 249º (true) to the point of beginning.

Prospect Bay - Cabin Creek Oyster Sanctuary All of the waters of Cabin Creek upstream of a line beginning at a point at or near the southeast tip of Piney Point, defined by Latitude 38º 56.51' N and Longitude 76º 13.61' W; then running approximately 114º (true) to a point at or near the shore, north of Brian Point, defined by Latitude 38º 56.23' N and Longitude 76º 12.84' W.

A public hearing will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, October 24, 2005 at the Queen Anne County Library at 200 Library Circle, Stevensville, 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 and a map of the area may be obtained by calling DNR Shellfish Program, Eric Campbell at (410) 260-8322.

The Department's goal for the sanctuaries is to restore oyster populations in these areas and to designate these grounds closed to harvest in order to contribute to the ecology of the bay. Seed oysters will be planted on the site to rebuild populations, if needed. It is the Department's intent to consider closing the sanctuary areas permanently by adoption of a regulation at a later date.

The Department's goal for the harvest reserve 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, Monday, November 7, 2005.