The State of Maryland continues to press forward with plans to dredge old oyster shells from the largest remaining deposit in Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay. Courtesy MD DNR According to the Bay Journal:
The state Department of the Environment has declared its support for the plan to mine five million bushels of shells from Man-O-War Shoals, near the mouth of the Patapsco River. The MDE issued a public notice November 1 recommending that the state Board of Public Works grant the Department of Natural Resources a tidal wetlands license, which is needed to do the dredging. The plan still needs federal approval, but if given the green light, DNR officials say the old shells would be used to replenish reefs in waters open to commercial harvest, help private oyster growers, and restore reefs in sanctuary areas.
It is estimated that up to 100 million bushels of oysters shells can be found on the 456 acres of Man-O-War Shoals. Dredging was first proposed in 2009. The Maryland DNR asked the Army Corps for permission to dredge Man O’War Shoal to use the fossilized shells to build oyster reefs. The Corps recommended the agency find alternate substrate, such as fossilized shell trucked in from out of state or concrete reef balls, so DNR tabled plans to dredge the popular fishing spot. The next year the O'Malley Administration set in motion its plan to double the number of oyster sanctuaries and ramp up aquaculture efforts. But oyster shell has become expensive and difficult to obtain, given ramped up oyster reef restoration efforts. Many watermen have argued against the use of materials other than oyster shells in restoration; the argument being that it disrupts crabbing. But with oyster shells difficult to obtain, the question became  whether or not to dredge Man-O-War Shoals. Many fishermen are against dredging the shoal, arguing that it is one of the best fishing grounds in the Upper Bay. Others argue against disrupting the rich underwater habitat found there. The decision is still pending and public comments are being taken through November 21. Send comments to: William Morgante, Wetlands Administrator Maryland Board of Public Works 80 Calvert Street, Room 117 Annapolis, MD 21401 Or email: [email protected]

Next Steps:

  • Public comments being taken regarding the MDE's recommendation to approve the DNR's tidal wetlands license (necessary for dredging).
  • The Board of Public Works must approve dredging.
  • If the Board grants the license, the project must still win approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which will ultimately decide whether to grant a permit to dredge.
For more on this issue click to our article from last year, To Dredge or not to Dredge?