Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 4-1019.1
Redline — January 1, 2020 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2023
As of January 1, 2020
The Department shall initiate the development of a program for enactment by the Maryland General Assembly to encourage return of the State’s oyster shell resource to the tidal waters of the State to assist oyster propagation. The Department also may use the Fisheries Research and Development Fund to purchase oyster shell.
(a) The Department shall provide annual grants to nonprofit organizations, community associations, restaurants, and seafood processors and dealers that recycle oyster shells by providing the shell to an authorized shell recycling collector certified by the Department.
(b) (1) Grants to nonprofit organizations and community associations shall be provided in the following amounts:
(i) $100 for the recycling of at least 5 but less than 20 bushels of oyster shells in a year; and
(ii) $250 for the recycling of at least 20 bushels of oyster shells in a year.
(2) Grants to restaurants and seafood processors and dealers shall be provided at a rate of $5 per bushel up to a maximum of $2,000 per year.
(c) The Department shall provide, at no cost, receptacles for the collection of oyster shells to restaurants that agree to recycle at least 25 bushels of oyster shells per year.
(d) (1) The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
(2) The regulations shall establish eligibility criteria and provide for the certification of nonprofit organizations, community associations, restaurants, and seafood processors and dealers to verify the amount of oyster shells recycled by each entity.
(3) The Department may enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations with expertise in oyster shell recycling to execute the provisions of this section.
Official source: Maryland General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Maryland statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.