Sen. Colburn Request Oyster Shell Purchase Policy Change

ANNAPOLIS – State Senator Richard F. Colburn (R-Eastern Shore) announced today that he has sent a letter to Department of Natural Resources Acting Secretary Joseph Gill requesting a change in DNR’s oyster shell purchase program. In his letter Senator Colburn stated, “I am writing with a request regarding the fresh oyster shell purchase policy currently in place for Maryland counties. Current policy only allows counties to purchase fresh shell through Horns Point; however, many counties have expressed their opposition to this policy including Dorchester County. There are currently only 60,000 bushels of fresh shell available through Horns Point. Florida fossilized shell has been purchased, however, the counties are opposed to this type of shell due to the weight and composition of the shell. Therefore I would like to request that the current policy be changed to allow the counties to purchase fresh shell from Virginia as there are 200,000 bushels available for purchase. It should also be noted that the counties have purchased Virginia shell in the past.”

Also in the letter dated March 4th, Senator Colburn requested an update on the request to extend the oyster harvest season until April 30th.