Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of the Environment is reclassifying a portion of the Nanticoke River in Dorchester and Wicomico Counties and portions of Broad Creek in Talbot County for shellfish harvesting.
About 93 acres of waters in Upper Broad Creek and about 108 acres in the San Domingo Creek portion of Broad Creek that had been approved for harvesting have been reclassified as restricted, meaning that they are closed to shellfish harvesting. The change is due to recent evaluations showing elevated bacteria levels in these waters.
Several oyster harvesting leases are located in these waters. Harvesting will not be permitted unless the lease holders apply for a “relay” permit from MDE. That permit would allow oysters to be harvested from restricted areas provided they are moved, or relayed, to another lease in waters approved for harvesting for at least two weeks during a time of year when oysters are actively filtering water. This assures that the oysters naturally cleanse themselves to be harvested and sold to consumers.
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Why does this not state a reason? Where did the bacteria come from? What types? Where is the most likely origin? In regards to the Nanticoke, is it because of the WWTP in DE? What about the Talbot County WWTP?
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