RESOURCES:
Marylanders Grow
Oysters in the
St. Mary's River
RESEARCH:
The Relation of
Sedimentation to
Growth Rate
in St. Mary's River
Bill Proposed Would Halt Oyster Sanctuary
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 13, 2010) - Senator Richard Colburn (Dorchester County) has filed two bills (SB37 and SB222) that together would put an end to the Governor's Oyster restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan. If these bills are adopted, they would effectively maintain the status quo for oyster management in the Chesapeake Bay. That means over harvesting, destruction of oyster beds by power harvesting equipment, and public monies wasted would continue until the Legislature re-enacts a new law.
The Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee (Senate) held a hearing on SB37 and a vote to send thais bill to the floor could happen at any time. The hearing on SB222 is tentatively scheduled for February 10.
For the St. Mary's River, adoption of SB37 would stop any designation of a sanctuary. In conjunction with SB222, these two bills would effectively remove any oyster management authority from the Dept. of Natural Resources, including their current authority to limit power equipment, designate reserve areas, and set season limits and dates. This authority would fall into the hands of the Legislature, which would never have the political will to limit oyster harvesting.
The oyster is a premiere filtering organism, which scientist believe is a vital component of any clean up of the Chesapeake Bay. Simply put, without a recovery of the oysters, the Bay will remain a polluted waterbody. One oyster can filter more than 50 gallons of water each day. Historically, oysters filtered all of the water in the Chesapeake Bay every three days. Current stock assessments are about 1% of historic levels.
Your letter to our legistators and to the Senate Committee will have a huge impact. The committee members are divided and our representative, Senator Roy Dyson, is currently sitting on the fence. (as of Jan. 26)
Write to:
Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee
2 West, Miller Senate Building
Annapolis, MD 21401Or E-mail:
Senator Joan Carter Conway, Chair joan.carter.conway@senate.state.md.us
Senator Roy P. Dyson, roy.dyson@senate.state.md.us
Senator David C. Harrington, david.harrington@senate.state.md.us
Senator Andrew P. Harris, andrew.harris@senate.state.md.us
Senator Mike Lenett, mike.lenett@senate.state.md.us
Senator Paul P. Pinsky, paul.pinsky@senate.state.md.us
Senator Edward R. Reilly, edward.reilly@senate.state.md.us
Senator James C. Rosapepe, jim.rosapepe@senate.state.md.us
Senator Richard Colburn, richard.colburn@senate.state.md.us
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