2956

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 622

Section 4-1101(a), (b), (g), and (i), 4-1118, and 4-1201(a)

and (b)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1983 Replacement Volume and 1984 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Natural Resources

Section 4-1118.1

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1983 Replacement Volume and 1984 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, The natural oyster bars of the State are protected
from destruction only if the natural oyster bar is classified as
a leased oyster bottom; and

WHEREAS, This current prohibition on destroying leased
oyster bottoms is contained in § 4-1118 of the Natural Resources
Article of the Code; and

WHEREAS, To extend this protection to other natural bars of
the State, this Act is needed to prevent destruction of all
natural oyster bars that are not classified as a leased oyster
bottom; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

4-1101.

(a)  In this subtitle, the following words have the meanings
indicated.

(b)  "Chesapeake Bay" means the waters, commonly known as
the Chesapeake Bay, as defined by the charts of the Oyster Survey
of 1906 to 1912, and its amendments.

(g) "Leased oyster bottom" means any land lying beneath the
waters of the State leased by the State to any person for the
purpose of protecting, sowing, bedding, or cultivating oysters
and other shellfish.

(i) "Natural oyster bar" means any submerged oyster bar,
reef, rock, or area represented as an oyster bar on the charts of
the Oyster Survey of 1906 to 1912, and its amendments, or any
area declared by any circuit court to be a natural oyster bar, or
any area on which the Department plants oysters or shells. A
natural oyster bar also means any bar beneath the waters of the
State where the natural growth of oysters abounds to the extent