HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2155

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Department
of Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Center for
Environmental and Estuarine Studies shall conduct a study: (1) to
explore techniques to insure the most efficient utilization of
fresh oyster shells obtained from the Maryland packers; and
(2) to determine what is considered to be a fresh oyster shell
shall study various methods to insure the maximum amount of fresh
oyster shell is returned to the tidal waters of the State in a
manner that will encourage additional oyster production. These
methods shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) Requiring packers to return fresh oyster shell to the
tidal waters of the State without compensation;

(b) Purchasing oyster shell at a negotiated price; and

(c) Granting tax credits or incentives to packers who
return oyster shell to the tidal waters of the State.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the study under
this Act shall consider using planting techniques that are
designed to maximize the production of oysters on fresh oyster
shells That the Department shall report the results of their
study to the General Assembly on or before July 1, 1987.

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the study under
this Act shall give consideration to the immediate planting of
fresh oyster shells that contain small oysters or spat.

SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Department
of Natural Resources shall report its findings to the General
Assembly by or before August 15, 1986.

SECTION 6 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1986.

Approved May 13, 1986.