<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 08.02.23.08" title_num="08" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="23" heading="Shellfish Nursery Permits.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Application.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An individual shall submit an application for a shellfish nursery permit prior to engaging in shellfish nursery activities.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An application shall be submitted on a form provided by the Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The fee for a shellfish nursery permit application shall be $100 and shall be nonrefundable.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A shellfish nursery permit:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall be valid for a 5-year term beginning on the day of issuance;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>May be renewed for a new term upon the Department’s receipt of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>All completed reports required under this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Confirmation that renewal is desired by the permittee;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>May not be transferred; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Shall be issued for each facility separately.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Reporting. A permittee under this regulation shall submit an annual report of shellfish nursery activities on a form provided by the Department not later than December 31 of the reporting year.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Size Limits. A permittee under this regulation shall only be authorized to culture shellfish seed to a maximum size measuring no greater than 1 inch in length from hinge to bill.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>In-Water Structures.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An in-water shellfish nursery structure:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>May not be larger than 200 square feet at any one site or physical address;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Shall be moored to an existing permitted wharf or other structure approved by the United States Army Corps of Engineers;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>May not be located within a Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Protection Zone;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>May not be located within 150 feet of a public shellfish fishery area or a registered pound net site; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>If located within an oyster sanctuary, as defined in COMAR 08.02.04.15, may not be located within 150 feet of a Yates bar.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A shellfish nursery permit for an in-water structure may only be issued to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The owner of a wharf or other structure constructed on or about the water and approved by the United States Army Corps of Engineers; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>To a person with the permission of the owner of such a wharf or other structure.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Records and Inspection. A shellfish nursery permittee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Maintain quarterly shipping and receiving records for each species cultivated at the facility that estimate:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Stocks on hand; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The transfer of shellfish seed to or from the facility or leased area;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Keep all shipping and receiving records for a minimum of 3 years; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Allow the Department to inspect at reasonable hours the shellfish nursery facility and any of the permittee’s equipment, records, or product that are part of the permit holder’s shellfish nursery operations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Suspension or Revocation of Permit. The Department may revoke or suspend a permit at any time for noncompliance with the requirements established in Natural Resources Article, §4-11A-23, Annotated Code of Maryland, regulations adopted under this section, or the terms and conditions of the permit.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>General.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A shellfish nursery permittee shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Obtain all necessary permits and comply with all applicable federal, State and local laws and regulations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Follow the requirements of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Model Ordinance that is incorporated by reference in COMAR 10.15.07.01A; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Notify the Department immediately upon discovery of any disease or mass mortality event affecting the shellfish at the facility that has the potential to contaminate native or naturalized animals.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The shellfish nursery permit shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Displayed at the facility at all times; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>In the possession of the permittee or any other individual engaged in shellfish nursery activities at the facility.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>