Thursday, March 22, 2007

 

The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to Natural Resources Articles §4-1103 and §4-1009.1 of Maryland’s Annotated Code, announces that a public information meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at the Centreville Library, 121 South Commerce Street, Centreville MD, 21617 to discuss designating the following oyster bars as sanctuaries or harvest reserves. The Department’s goal for the sanctuaries is to restore oyster populations in these areas in order to contribute to the health of the bay. It is the Department’s intent to consider closing the designated sanctuary areas permanently at a later date. The Department’s goal for the harvest reserves is to restore reserved oyster bars, contribute to the health of the Bay and maintain the oyster industry. These areas would be closed, planted with oyster seed and occasionally opened for harvest when criteria set by the State have been met.

Chester River - East Neck Bay Sanctuary
All of the waters of the Chester River enclosed by a line beginning at a point defined by Lat 39° 04.361' N and Long 76° 16.283' W; then running approximately 356° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 04.546' N and Long 76° 16.301' W; then running approximately 102° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 04.466' N and Long 76° 15.829' W; then running approximately 160° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 04.246' N and Long 76° 15.724' W; then running approximately 256° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 04.210' N and Long 76° 15.903' W; then running approximately 297° True to the point of beginning.

Chester River - Devils Playground Reserve
All of the waters of the Chester River enclosed by a line beginning at a point defined by Lat 38° 59.950' N and Long 76° 11.929' W; then running approximately 302° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 00.079' N and Long 76° 12.194' W; then running approximately 21° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 00.356' N and Long 76° 12.056' W; then running approximately 89° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 00.362' N and Long 76° 11.542' W; then running approximately 201° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 00.036' N and Long 76° 11.703' W; then running approximately 244° True to the point of beginning.

Chester River - Boathouse Reserve
All of the waters of the Chester River enclosed by a line beginning at a point defined by Lat 39° 06.034' N and Long 76° 10.248' W; then running approximately 279° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 06.099' N and Long 76° 10.803' W; then running approximately 29° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 06.648' N and Long 76° 10.412' W; then running approximately 37° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 06.748' N and Long 76° 10.316' W; then running approximately 53° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 06.989' N and Long 76° 09.901' W; then running approximately 196° True to the point of beginning.

Chester River - Spaniard Point Reserve
All of the waters of the Chester River enclosed by a line beginning at a point defined by Lat 39° 05.739' N and Long 76° 09.231' W; then running approximately 48° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 05.898' N and Long 76° 09.006' W; then running approximately 64° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 06.061' N and Long 76° 08.582' W; then running approximately 138° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 05.943' N and Long 76° 08.444' W; then running approximately 236° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 05.606' N and Long 76° 09.088' W; then running approximately 320° True to the point of beginning.

Chester River - Horse Race Reserve
All of the waters of the Chester River enclosed by a line beginning at a point defined by Lat 39° 01.222' N and Long 76° 11.157' W; then running approximately 333° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 01.628' N and Long 76° 11.421' W; then running approximately 65° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 01.814' N and Long 76° 10.912' W; then running approximately 159° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 01.233' N and Long 76° 10.631' W; then running approximately 268° True to the point of beginning.

Corsica River - Possum Point Sanctuary
All of the waters of the Corsica River enclosed by a line beginning at a point defined by Lat 39° 04.790' N and Long 76° 06.864' W; then running approximately 313° True to a point near the Mean Low Water line defined by Lat 39° 04.873' N and Long 76° 06.980' W; then running Northerly along the shore to a point at the Mean Low Water line defined by Lat 39° 04.940' N and Long 76° 06.964' W; then running approximately 103° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 04.906' N and Long 76° 06.771' W; then running approximately 212° True to the point of beginning.

Corsica River - Emory's Wharf Sanctuary
All of the waters of the Corsica River enclosed by a line beginning at a point defined by Lat 39° 04.900' N and Long 76° 07.690' W; then running approximately 226° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 04.567' N and Long 76° 08.133' W; then running approximately 86° True to a point defined by Lat 39° 04.600' N and Long 76° 07.500' W; then running approximately 334° True to the point of beginning.

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. Written comments may be sent to or further information and a map of the areas may be obtained from Eric Campbell, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 410-260-8322 or FAX (410) 260-8279 or email at ecampbell@dnr.state.md.us. Comments must be received by Thursday, April 26, 2007.