The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has set the dates, times and locations for four public regulatory hearings as part of the implementation of Governor Martin O’Malley’s Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Plan. O’Malley and DNR submitted the proposed regulations in May after months of public discussion, DNR open houses and robust input from thousands of citizens following the governor’s announcement of the plan in December 2009.

In January, O’Malley sponsored legislation to promote oyster restoration and aquaculture in Maryland by streamlining the regulatory process, expanding oyster sanctuaries in the bay and opening areas to aquaculture to reduce the pressure on wild oysters and to provide alternative economic opportunities for Maryland watermen. The legislation passed overwhelmingly in the General Assembly.

The Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population has languished at one-percent of historic levels since 1994. The quality oyster bars have decreased by 80-percent, and the number of harvesters has dwindled from 2,000 in the mid-1980s to just over 500 annually since 2002. Today there are only eight oyster processing companies in Maryland, down from 58 in 1974.

These public events will feature an overview of the proposed regulations by DNR staff followed by opportunities for individual comments. Comments may also be submitted online at fisheriespubliccomment@dnr.state.md.us or by mail to: MD-DNR Fisheries Service, Oyster Recovery, Tawes State Office Bldg, 580 Taylor Ave. B-2, Annapolis, MD 21401.

The public hearings are scheduled as follows:

July 7 – 6pm. Anne Arundel Community College, Pascal Center for the Performing Arts, 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012
July 13 – 6pm. Leonardtown High School Auditorium, 23995 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650
July 22 – 6pm. Salisbury University, Caruthers Hall Auditorium, 1101 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801
August 5 – 6pm. Chesapeake College, Todd Performing Arts Center, Route 50 and Route 213, Wye Mills, MD 21679.