The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pursuant to Natural Resources Article 4-1103 of Maryland´s Annotated Code announced that the following area of the Chester River, Kent County, will be closed to shellfish harvest for the purpose of establishing an oyster reserve effective Friday, September 14, 2001. This area is known as Philadelphia Hill which is in the vicinity of Commegy´s Bight and is in Natural Oyster Bar 5-5 . The closure is approximately 4.5 acres in size. This closure has been coordinated with the local County Oyster Committees.

The Philadelphia Hill oyster reserve consists of the portion of Natural Oyster Bar 5-5, as shown on the charts of the Oyster Survey of 1906-12 and it´s amendments, beginning at a point defined by Latitude 39º 06' 13.2" N and Longitude 76º 08' 26.4" W, then running approximately 96º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 39º 06' 12.6" N and Longitude 76º 08' 18.6" W, then running approximately 72º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 39º 06' 14.4" N and Longitude 76º 08' 11.4" W, then running approximately 308º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 39º 06' 16.2" N and Longitude 76º 08' 14.4" W, then running approximately 252º (true) to the point of beginning. This area will be closed until further notice and reopened in consultation with the county oyster committees.

The department´s goal is to restore oyster population in this area and to designate these grounds closed to harvest in order to contribute to the ecology of the river. Seed oysters will be planted on the site to rebuild populations, if needed.