The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pursuant to Natural Resources Article 4-1103 of Maryland´s Annotated Code proposes that the following area of the Patuxent River, St. Mary´s County, will be closed to shellfish harvest for the purpose of establishing an oyster reserve. This area is in Natural Oyster Bar 18-7, is in the vicinity of the Broad Neck oyster bar and is approximately 226 acres in size.
The Broad Neck reserve consists of all the area defined by: A point defined by Latitude 38º 27' 29.8" N and Longitude 76º 39' 12.3" W, then running approximately 321º (true) to a point at or near Natural Oyster Bar corner 18-7-4, defined by Latitude 38º 27' 48.5" N and Longitude 76º 39' 31.7" W, then running approximately 30º (true) to a point at or near Natural Oyster Bar corner 18-7-5, defined by Latitude 38º 28' 10.0" N and Longitude 76º39' 16.2" W, then running approximately 30º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 38º 28' 18.3" N and Longitude 76º 39' 10.2" W, then running 141º (true) to a point at or near Natural Oyster Bar corner 18-7-8, defined by Latitude 38º 28' 01.6" N and Longitude 76º 38' 52.9" W, then running approximately 151º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 38º 27' 47.6" N and Longitude 76º 38' 42.9" W, then running approximately 232º (true) to the point of beginning.
A public hearing will be held Thursday, September 6, 2001, 7 p.m. at the St Mary's Governmental Center/Annex Building, Room 1, 23115 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, 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 Division, Eric Campbell at (410) 260-8344.
Written comments may be sent to Cynthia Goshorn, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or FAX (410) 260-8278. Comments must be received by , Thursday, September 20, 2001.