CHAPTER 633
(House Bill 422)

AN ACT concerning

Dorchester County - Power Dredging for Oysters

FOR the purpose of allowing a person to power dredge oysters in waters contiguous to
Dorchester County if the person holds a certain license issued by the
Department of Natural Resources; authorizing the Department to issue certain
licenses and the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources to adopt
certain regulations relating to power dredging of oysters; requiring the
Secretary to adopt certain regulations regarding a certain oyster sanctuary;
prohibiting a person from catching oysters in a certain oyster sanctuary; limiting
the season when a licensee can power dredge oysters under this Act; placing
certain restrictions on the power dredging of oysters; requiring the Department
to establish certain regulations establishing certain penalties; requiring the
Department to submit a certain report by a certain date; providing for the
termination of certain provisions of this Act; providing for the delayed effective
date of a certain provision of this Act; and generally relating to the power
dredging of oysters in waters contiguous to Dorchester County.

BY adding to

Article - Natural Resources
Section 4-1014.1
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1997 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

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

Article - Natural Resources

4-1014.1.

(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO THE WATERS OF THE STATE THAT LIE
CONTIGUOUS TO DORCHESTER COUNTY IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

(B) A PERSON SHALL BE LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE
PERSON MAY CATCH OYSTERS WITH A POWER DREDGE IN THE WATERS OF THE
STATE THAT LIE CONTIGUOUS TO DORCHESTER COUNTY IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY,
EXCEPT FOR A PERSON HOLDING A VALID LICENSE TO CATCH OYSTERS BY DREDGE
BOAT LICENSE AND DREDGING FOR OYSTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 4-1013 OF THIS
SUBTITLE.

(C) (1) A PERSON MAY NOT HOLD AN OYSTER HARVESTER LICENSE AND A
POWER DREDGE LICENSE SIMULTANEOUSLY.

(2) THE DEPARTMENT: