4978

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, The residue of crab waste can cause health
problems and generally are noxious and unsightly when used
in landfills in Somerset and Dorchester counties; and

WHEREAS, There is a growing problem of how to dispose
of the residue of crab waste; and

WHEREAS, . The current use of disposal sites and
landfills for crab waste causes more problems than it solves
in Somerset and Dorchester counties; and

WHEREAS, Time is of the essence in finding a solution
to this serious problem; and

WHEREAS, There may be great economic and environmental
value in the use of crab waste as a fertilizer or as a
source of food for chickens or fish, crustaceans, and other
marine life; and

WHEREAS, The disposal of crab waste into the certain
restricted waters of this State could add to the food chain
and solve the difficult problem of disposing of crab waste
in landfills; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Governor Legislative Policy Committee is requested to
establish a Commission to study and investigate safe,
alternative ways of disposing of the residue of crab waste
as a fertilizer, as a compost, as a source of food for
chickens or other animals, and in the waters of this State
in place of the current method of using landfills and other
disposal sites in Somerset and Dorchester counties; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission be composed of:

(1)  2 members of the House of Delegates appointed by
the Speaker of the House of Delegates and 2 members of the
Senate of Maryland appointed by the President of the Senate;
and

(2)  A representative of each of the following
departments, appointed by the Secretary of the appropriate
department:

(i) Department of Agriculture;

(ii) Department of Economic and Community
Development;

(iii) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;
and

(iv) Department of Natural Resources; and be it
further