Resolve, Directing the Department of Marine Resources To Conduct an Impact Study in the St. George River Estuary

Sec. 1. Department of Marine Resources to conduct an impact study in the St. George River estuary on the effect of harvesting marine worms and softshell clams in the same area. Resolved: That the Department of Marine Resources shall conduct an impact study in the intertidal area of the St. George River estuary on the effects of harvesting marine worms and softshell clams in the same area. The department must investigate the effects harvesting marine worms has on softshell clams in areas where softshell clams are harvested, in particular the effects harvesting marine worms has on nearby seed clams. The department shall collaborate with the Georges River Regional Shellfish Management Committee and the member towns of St. George, Thomaston, South Thomaston, Cushing and Warren in determining the intertidal area to be studied and the practices being used in harvesting both marine worms and softshell clams and developing best management practices for harvesting marine worms and softshell clams in the same area; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Marine Resources shall submit a report on the study under section 1 and any recommended legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources by January 4, 2016. The Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources may report out a bill based upon the report to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Department of Marine Resources to conduct an impact study in the intertidal area of the St. George River estuary in collaboration with the Georges River Regional Shellfish Management Committee and the member towns on the effects of harvesting marine worms and softshell clams in the same intertidal area in order to develop the best management practices in harvesting both species in the same area. The resolve directs the department to report its findings and any recommended legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources.