MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                                 745

language has been added to require
publication in every county newspaper
because as a result of the Bruce decision
every state resident is affected by the
department's actions not merely the
residents of one county.

Subsection (c) presently appears as Article
66C, section 708(k) of the Code. The term
"protests", used to describe persons
protesting a lease, is proposed for
deletion and the more common word
"protesters", is substituted therefor.

The provision directing the court to
furnish the defendant with a copy of the
petition and requiring an answer within 15
days is proposed for deletion because these
directives merely reiterate the procedures
of the Maryland Rules of Procedure.

The phrase "and its amendments" is added to
indicate that the Oyster Survey of 1906 to
1912 should be interpreted in light of any
deletion or addition.

Subsection (d) presently appears as Article
66C, section 708(1) of the Code.
Subsection (e) presently appears as Article
66C, section 708(m) of the Code. The only
other changes made are in style.

4-1110. RENT AND TERM OF LEASE; TERMINATION.

(A) RENT AND TERM OF LEASE. - THE TERM OF LEASES
FOR SUBMERGED LANDS SHALL BE 20 YEARS AT AN ANNUAL
RENT THE DEPARTMENT DEEMS PROPER AND COMMENSURATE WITH
THE VALUE OF THE LEASED LANE.

(b) REDUCTION OR ABATEMENT OF RENT FOR DAMAGED
OYSTER GROUNDS. - IF THE DEPARTMENT ASCERTAINS THAT
ANY LEASED AREA IS AFFECTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
WHICH DESTROY OR SERIOUSLY IMPEDE THE CULTURE AND
GROWTH OF OYSTERS AND THREATEN THE POTENTIAL OF THE
AREA FOR CONTINUED OYSTER PRODUCTION, IT MAY REDUCE OR
ABATE THE ANNUAL RENT BY AN AMOUNT AND FOR A PERIOD
THE DEPARTMENT DEEMS EQUITABLE AND REASONABLE IN VIEW
OF THE DEGREE OF DAMAGE.

(C) TERMINATION OF LEASE; SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR
CHARLES COUNTY. - IF ANY PART OF THE RENT REQUIRED BY