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, Charles County, will be permanently closed to shellfish harvest for the purpose of establishing an oyster sanctuary.This area is Natural Oyster Bar 13-2 and is in the vicinity of the Elbow and Teague oyster bars and is approximately 57 acres in size.This closure has been coordinated with the local County Oyster Committees.

The sanctuary is all of Natural Oyster Bar 13-2, as shown on the charts of the Oyster Survey of 1906-12 and its amendments, beginning at a point at or near corner 13-2-1,defined by Latitude 38° 31' 11.6" Nand Longitude 76° 40' 1.5"W;then running approximately 341°(true) to a point at or near corner 13-2-2,defined by Latitude 38° 31'46.1"N and Longitude 76° 40' 16.3" W;then running approximately 110° (true) to a point at or near corner 13-2-3, defined by Latitude 38° 31' 42.0" N and Longitude 76° 40' 1.6" W;then running approximately 171°(true) to a point at or near corner 13-2-4, defined by Latitude 38° 31' 13.2" N and Longitude 76° 39' 55.7" W; then running approximately 251° (true) to the point of beginning.

A public hearing will be held Wednesday, August 29, 2001, 7 p.m. at the Charles County Building, Commissioners Meeting Room, 200 Baltimore St, LaPlata, 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 , Wednesday, September 12, 2001.