Additional Small-Scale Restoration Sites
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DNR plans on using small-scale restoration funds in a portion of other sanctuaries. This web page will address those ongoing efforts.
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Ringgold Sanctuary
The Ringgold Sanctuary is located in the upper Chester River, a low salinity region (Figure A.36-1). The sanctuary was created in 2001 and encompasses 120 acres of which 63 (52%) is historic oyster bottom (as charted in the Yates Oyster Survey from 1906 to 1912 plus its amendments). There is one historic oyster bar (Bay Bush Point bar) within the sanctuary. The sanctuary was created for a project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed to examine differences in oyster growth, mortality and disease prevalence between hatchery spat-on-shell and natural seed between bars constructed with a minimum of 150 cm relief above the bottom and “flat” bars, with no more than 15 cm relief above the bottom. There is an area of stone substrate placed as a reef base towards that effort.
In 2025, the department is planning to plant hatchery produced spat-on-shell in Ringgold Sanctuary on the area with alternate substrate.
Lower Chester River Sanctuary
The Lower Chester Sanctuary is located at the mouth of the Chester River, a low salinity area. The sanctuary was created in 2010 and encompasses 24,147 acres of which 6,930 (29%) is historic oyster bottom (as charted in the Yates Oyster Survey from 1906 to 1912 plus its amendments). There are 21 historic oyster bars within the sanctuary. There are two Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative (MARI) constructed reefs in the Lower Choptank Sanctuary, one referred to as Love Point and one on the Swan Point historic oyster bar. The MARI site on the Swan Point oyster bar is a two-acre site that was created from rubble from the Simpkins Dam removal, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
In 2025, the department is planning on planting hatchery produced spat-on-shell in the Lower Chester River Sanctuary on the MARI site on Swan Point oyster bar.
Poplar Island Sanctuary
The Poplar Island Sanctuary is located in the central portion of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, a medium salinity region. The sanctuary was created in 2003 and encompasses seven acres, all of which is historic oyster bottom (as charted in the Yates Oyster Survey from 1906 to 1912 plus its amendments). The sanctuary is located in the southwest corner of the historic Poplar Island bar and was created to restore the oyster population and enhance the ecology in that area.
In 2025, the department is planning on planting hatchery produced spat-on-shell in the Poplar Island Sanctuary.
