1340                            LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 846

title "Oysters and Clams," to follow immediately after Section 703
thereof, to authorize power dredging of oysters on leased areas
in Wicomico County under permits obtained from the clerk of
court in the county, to relate to the issuance and form of permits,
to prescribe conditions for the use of permits for power dredging
and to provide penalties for violations.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That new Section 703A be and it is hereby added to Article 66C of
the Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 Edition), title "Natural Re-
sources," subtitle "Oysters and Clams," to follow immediately after
Section 703 thereof, and to read as follows:

703 A.

(a)     To enable private oyster planters to more effectively com-
pete for seed oysters and more economically produce oysters through
cleaning of grounds, dredging by power boat is permissible on the
grounds leased for cultivation of oysters in Wicomico County located
in the Wicomico and Nanticoke rivers, subject to the following con-
ditions:

(b)   No dredging as provided under this section is allowed except
under a permit therefor which is issued by the clerk of the circuit
court for Wicomico County. The application for a permit contains
such information as the Department of Chesapeake Bay Affairs may
require, and a copy of the applications is sent promptly to the
Department.

(c)   Each application is accompanied by a fee of twenty-five dol-
lars ($25.00).

(d)   No more than three permits are outstanding at any one time
during any year and they are issued in the order of application there-
for to the clerk. Permits are valid for a period of six consecutive
calendar days, excepting Sunday, from the date of issuance.

(e)   Each permit contains a description of the leasehold areas in
which dredging is allowed, and is valid only for dredging in the
described areas. A permit may describe any one or more separate
leasehold areas in which dredging is allowed. The permit contains
also the name and number of the boat to be used in dredging under
the permit and the name of the captain of the boat and no other
boat or captain is permitted to dredge under the permit.

(f)   With each permit the clerk of court issues sets of identifying
numbers, corresponding with the permit number. The identifying
numbers are displayed on the dredging boat at all times while en-
gaged in dredging under a permit.

(g)   Before any dredging is begun under a permit, the dimen-
sions of the leasehold area described in the permit are marked with
a stake at each corner. Between each corner and along the boundary
of the leasehold area, line stakes are placed at one hundred foot in-
tervals. Each corner stake is to bear the permit number.

(h) Dredging under a permit is allowed only between the hours
of 7:30 o'clock AM. and 4 o'clock P.M. on any day except Sunday.
Notice of intention to dredge under a permit is given in writing by