Lower Shore rivers frozen out of Md. oyster restoration

The state of Maryland may bypass the Lower Shore in its campaign to restore oyster reefs in five Chesapeake Bay tributaries.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced Friday it has nominated Breton Bay and the upper St. Mary's River as the next sites where the famous bivalves will get a boost. Both are in St. Mary's County on the bay's western shore.

The Maryland Oyster Advisory Commission forwarded a list of eight potential sites earlier this summer to Gov. Larry Hogan's administration. 

At the time, Breton Bay garnered the most votes, with 12, followed by the St. Mary's River and the Manokin River, with 11. The Nanticoke River had 9.

More:Embattled Md. oyster restoration program considered for Manokin, Nanticoke rivers

“Maryland is committed to restoring the oyster population throughout the Chesapeake Bay for both ecological and economic reasons,” Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “This keystone species builds the foundation of a healthy marine ecosystem, cleaning and filtering water, while also serving as the backbone of our fisheries-based economy, be it aquaculture or commercial harvesting.”

The DNR's recommendations will head to the Maryland Oyster Restoration Interagency Workgroup, which includes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The department also plans to gather further public comment before finalizing the decision.

The influential environmental group, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, applauded the selection of the upper St. Mary's but described Breton Bay as a poor candidate.

“Breton Bay is a low-salinity area with a history of low oyster reproduction. It likely will be difficult and expensive to achieve successful restoration in Breton Bay," said Alison Prost, the group's Maryland executive director.

The announcement didn't leave out the Lower Shore altogether. DNR officials said they will for the first time develop oyster management plans for the Manokin, Nanticoke and Severn rivers to guide future oyster restoration efforts.

Nearly $50 million in state and federal funds have been invested in the three current Maryland restoration sites since work began six years ago. The three waterways — Harris Creek, the Little Choptank River and the Tred Avon River — are all situated along the Mid-Shore.

DNR also announced Friday it plans to move forward with rotational harvests, a common practice in the bay's Virginia waters for which Maryland watermen have long advocated. Those harvests will not be taking place in existing sanctuaries, DNR spokesman Stephen Schatz said.

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