ORP Applauds Passage of Maryland Oyster Shell Recycling Bill

April 9, 2013

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Oyster Recovery Partnership Applauds Passage of Maryland Oyster Shell Recycling Legislation
“No Shell Left Behind” Bill Aids Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration

Annapolis, MD – The Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) applauds the  passage of Maryland’s oyster shell recycling legislation. Passed quickly by both the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates, this legislation will provide a tax credit for those individuals and businesses who help to grow the Chesapeake Bay’s  oyster population by recycling used oyster shells. Click here for details on the bill.

Several Bay-minded organizations testified in support of this bill including members of the Oyster Recovery Partnership’s Shell Recycling Alliance _ a coalition of regional restaurants, caterers and seafood distributors who recycle their used shell to aid in Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration. The bill was sponsored by Delegate Stephen W. Lafferty, (Democrat District 42 Baltimore County) and Senator Roy Dyson (Republican District 29).

“The passage of this legislation is a win-win for the Chesapeake Bay and those who are actively working to restore its health,” said Stephan Abel, Executive Director for the Oyster Recovery Partnership. “Recycled oyster shell is a necessary component for oyster restoration here in Maryland, so no shell should end up in a landfill.”

Visit www.oysterrecovery.org for more information on the large-scale efforts and importance of oyster restoration in Maryland.

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The non-profit Oyster Recovery Partnership and its coalition of partners have been growing and planting hundreds of millions of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay each year. ORP has rehabilitated over 1500 acres of once viable oyster reefs and recycled more than 1200 tons of oyster shell.