Preface: Purpose of this document & how to read the edits

• 
  a Blue Crab Management Plan, unique to the coastal bays, will protect the resource and balance commercial fishing and environmental interests.
  

1. 
   DNR, with advice from the Coastal Bays Fishery Advisory Board, will investigate but is not limited to the following suggested stock management practices. Modify – needs revision per DNR input on scope of work, available resources & jurisdiction.
   

1. 
   Establish entry, gear, and limit restrictions on commercial sector.
   
2. 
   Determine recreational catch. Investigate establishing a saltwater fishing license with proceeds being used for research. License should have several categories like 5-day, month, season, etc. This would give a data base of names and addresses for conducting surveys.
   
3. 
   Re-examine recreational and commercial catch allocation issues.
   
4. 
   Re-examine size limits including consistency with surrounding states.
   
5. 
   Obtain MD Coastal Bays catch data (commercial vs. recreational).
   
6. 
   Investigate by catch issue for gill nets. Consider an "attend-a-net" policy.
   
7. 
   Further investigate the forage index (natural, personal water craft, over-harvesting, not enough food, birds, lack of habitat). Need to address the issue of forage fish and maintaining quality of their habitat.
   
8. 
   Need to determine what each finfish needs to live and eat.
   

2. 
   DNR will investigate but is not limited to the following habitat improvement recommendations: Modify
   

1. 
   Improve water quality by reducing sedimentation from agriculture, development, and dredging (See Water Quality section).
   
2. 
   Collate information obtained from the volunteer monitoring program, DNR monitoring, and the NFS monitoring efforts and release results to the public (See Monitoring Plan).
   
3. 
   Investigate the influence of jet ski noise on scaring fish away. Contact Florida on their studies on jet skis vs. fish (See Recreation and Navigation).
   
4. 
   Restore and protect finfish habitat.
   
5. 
   Investigate effects of habitat loss, including wetlands, and sediment contaminants from uncontrolled growth. Also investigate algae beds as potential habitat.
   
6. 
   Investigate forage fish habitat requirements.
   
7. 
   Adopt a reduced speed limit to reduce the impacts of boat operation in shallow water, reduce prop scarring, and decrease the impact of wave action (See Recreation and Navigation).
   
8. 
   Investigate and create, if needed, the following resource protection areas.
   
   1. 
      Expanded no trawl zone near inlet that is consistent with neighboring states.
      
   2. 
      Areas where all boating activity must stay clear.
      
9. 
   Separate natural environmental changes brought about by the aging of the system and deal with only those things that man can affect (sedimentation is natural, that the East Coast is sinking, and that sea level is rising).
   

3. 
   MCBP and DNR will encourage responsible fishing practices such as catch-and-release, innovative hook designs, and crab traps with terrapin exclusion devices. Keep – educational effort
   
4. 
   DNR and MDE will investigate the utility of creating artificial reefs in the coastal bays to enhance tautog and seabass populations. If feasible, DNR will develop artificial reefs (e.g., creation of hard bottom habitat by planting shells, stone or other substrate). Modify to specify where reefs could be beneficial – most areas of the bays are too shallow.
   
5. 
   MCBP and DNR will educate fishermen on size and creel limits. Keep
   
6. 
   DNR will:
   

1. 
   Review state and federal data and determine appropriate biological reference points for each important commercial and recreational species of concern. Keep as an educational effort, based upon ASMFC/MAFMC guidance
   
2. 
   Implement appropriate control measures if sustainable yields are exceeded or other problems are identified within a fishery. Supplement – monitor the sustainable yields over time as a measure of ecosystem management.
   

• 
  a Fishery Management Plan, unique to the coastal bays, will protect the resource and balance commercial fishing and environmental interests.
  

Annual monitoring of sea grass acreage is determined by aerial flights & interpretation by the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences. Data is available from 1986-2009. A goal of 20,070 acres has been developed based on suitable sediment types and water depth. Goal attainment is evaluated using current 3 year averages.

1. 
   DNR will alleviate the impact of clam dredging and prop scarring to SAV and other benthic organisms by: Modify to focus on prop scarring by recreational boating
   

1. 
   Annually documenting the areas and extent of impact. (quantifiable goal & annual report card indicator)
   
2. 
   Researching seagrass recovery time. Done
   
3. 
   Investigating use of buoys to mark beds, SAV setbacks, depth restrictions, GPS equipment to identify delineate SAV boundaries [HC-FMP 6.2.1] and education as tools to protect beds from damage. Keep
   
4. 
   6.2.1b Continue to foster the legislative support to make recommended changes in the SAV law which would benefit all stakeholder groups by making the delineation and enforcement process more manageable, the closure areas consistent over a longer period of time, and Implement and enforce necessary regulations to protect SAV from clam dredging including the prohibition of hydraulic dredging within SAV beds [6.2.1] Done
   
   1. 
      6.2.1a The MCBP Fishery Advisory Committee shall become the local group to develop and provide recommendations to DNR regarding the delineation of SAV closure areas to harvesting by hydraulic clam dredging.
      
   2. 
      Blue Crab-FMP 5.1.3 DNR will continue to identify SAV species needing protection activities needing restrictions.
      

2. 
   MCBP will explore feasibility of an SAV sanctuary (including needed legislation/regulations), identify species needing protection and activities needing restriction. Modify to reflect the current need to respect Assateague Island boundaries.
   
3. 
   MCBP will expand surveys/citizens monitoring to groundtruth species composition and determine accuracy of photo interpretive maps. Supplemental – remove this as a specific action but keep it as a monitoring indicator.
   
4. 
   DNR and NRCS will develop habitat requirements for the growth of seagrasses in the coastal bays:
   

1. 
   DNR will develop water quality requirements for seagrasses (work with University of Delaware). Supplemental – keep as a monitoring indicator
   
2. 
   DNR will identify areas that are meeting the required water quality once water quality data is available (e.g., areas that have the greatest likelihood of SAV expansion). Keep- (quantifiable goal & annual report card indicator, TMDL goal)
   
3. 
   NRCS will compile data relating bay soil types to bottom communities and identify other variables having effects on seagrass establishment and maintenance. Done – completed by MGS
   
4. 
   NRCS will complete soil mapping effort for entire coastal bays. Done – completed by MGS
   

5. 
   DNR will transplant or reseed seagrasses to appropriate areas where restored beds are likely to naturally recover in bays by:
   

1. 
   Identifying unvegetated areas that meet water quality and sediment requirements and prioritizing sites based on appropriateness and need. Delete
   
2. 
   DNR and MCBP carrying out citizen and school-based restoration projects. Delete
   

• 
  improved recreational and commercial fishing opportunities
  
• 
  cost-effective measure to promote fisheries
  
• 
  promotion of tourism
  

1. 
   Retrofit all drainage into canals. Options include installing stormwater management facilities and devices (especially systems containing tiles or ditches) and other methods to slow storm water flow. Alternative bulkhead materials should be promoted. Modify to include more partners (Wo. Co., Ocean Pines, private harbors)
   
2. 
   MCBP will target property owners along canals for education and implementation of best management practices for backyard management. Techniques such as proper fertilizer application, controlling or removing animal feces, stopping trash inputs (including removing cut grass, dead flowers and leaves from surrounding areas), limiting crop irrigation or lawn watering, and encouraging native species planting "BayScapes," etc. should be promoted. Keep – educational effort
   
3. 
   Interconnect canals to increase flushing (need to use 8 ft. diameter pipes). Modify to become a Worcester County action and to target appropriate communities
   
4. 
   The MCBP Navigation and Dredging Advisory Group (See Recreation and Navigation section) will develop canal maintenance dredging plans that recommend dredging only when absolutely necessary and that consider all habitat restoration potential. Modify to have OC and WC as co-leads, list as a funding need. Consolidate FW 1.7.4 and 1.7.7
   
   1. 
      Determine who have jurisdiction and responsibility for which canals (OC, WC, OP).
      
   2. 
      Investigate the feasibility of establishing a tax lagoon district for maintenance and improvements. Educate property owners in how to petition for the establishment of a district.
      
   3. 
      Educate marine contractors to fill depressions with dredge spoils, grade canals on a slope to allow for natural tidal flushing and prevent sill deposits at canal opening.
      
   4. 
      Determine if dredge spoils can be used to fill in deep holes created to fill marsh land in established neighborhoods.
      
   5. 
      Coordinate efforts with NADAG’s Master Planning Guide (RN 2.1)
      
   6. 
      Create a regional dredging database with pertinent information such as: volume of material requested or needed removed, character of material (grain size and composition) from dredge site, character of material required for deposition at receiving site, unusual site considerations (high fetch, high traffic, current scouring or erosion, etc), desired timeframe for project, is the permit application filed?, has a permit been acquired?, etc.
      
5. 
   Investigate alternatives for undeveloped canals Done
   
6. 
   MDE will continue to enforce their policy of not approving new dead-end canals. Supplemental – continue current policy
   
7. 
   Develop canal stormwater management plan requirements. Consolidate with FW 1.7.4
   
   1. 
      Approach homeowner’s association meetings as a forum to increase public involvement.
      
   2. 
      Direct road and roof runoff into swales and rain gardens where feasible.
      
   3. 
      Reduce imperviousness around canals.
      

• 
  improved water quality
  
• 
  improved aesthetics
  

The International Coastal Cleanup has resulted in more than 11,000 pounds of trash removed from local beaches (2005-2008). The average amount each year is ~3,000 lbs. MCBP has held annual cleanups throughout the years as well. From 2010-2012, 3,578 volunteers have collected nearly 5,000 lbs. of trash.

1. 
   MCBP will develop events to educate public on impacts of trash, including tributaries and bridge areas where the problem is most severe. Consolidate 1.8.1 and 1.8.2, track areas & lbs of trash over time as a social involvement indicator
   
2. 
   MCBP will support events such as: Adopt-A-Shoreline, Coast Day, canoe cleanups, roadside trash cleanups, teacher training, and field trips for classes. Consolidate with above action
   
3. 
   OC will improve trash management on beaches by placing lids on trash cans and emptying them more frequently where deemed necessary and feasible. Consolidate FW 1.8.3 and FW 1.8.4
   
4. 
   WC and MCBP will organize effort to clean up trash from dead-end canals. Consolidate with above action
   
5. 
   MCBP will educate public and organize events to pick up plywood and debris from abandoned duck blinds in marshes where plywood and boards smother marsh grasses. Keep. Make Newport Bay a focus for this effort.
   

• 
  improved aesthetics and habitat quality
  
• 
  reduced costs for trash removal
  

The state 1984 Critical Area Law was expanded in 2004 to include the Coastal Bays watershed. Land within 1,000 feet of the mean high tide line or tidal wetlands were categorized as Intensively Developed Areas, Limited Developed Areas or Resource Conservation Areas with requisite shoreline protections in each Area. Additionally protections are afforded to Buffer Management Areas within 100 feet of mean high tide and tidal wetlands. The 2004 VIMS Shoreline Inventory found 52% of the 171 miles of shoreline were bulkheaded or rip-rapped

1. 
   DNR and MDE will encourage use of alternative shoreline stabilization methods (e.g., non-structural), both for new and retrofitted shoreline stabilization applications and provide information and technical support to decision makers to ensure permit applications for new shoreline stabilization promote essential wildlife and fish habitat through alternative designs which favor the environment. Modify action to “identify incentives”, consolidate FW 1.9.1 – FW 1.9.3
   
2. 
   DNR will identify and encourage retrofits through incentives for existing structures that have deteriorated and promote the use of salt marsh, artificial habitat features (e.g., planter box, Spartina) or riprap where appropriate. consolidate
   
3. 
   DNR will provide incentives for use of more environmentally sensitive practices. consolidate
   
4. 
   WC will identify situations where sensitive habitats are not protected by the existing zoning and subdivision laws and consider implementing incentives for activities that protect these areas. For example, maintenance of allowable density on a parcel where a developer agrees to preserve a vegetated shoreline buffer that exceeds the legal requirement. The county may begin by reviewing the criteria and checklist accounting system developed by the American Planning Association. Modify for monitoring and emphasis on aquatic sensitive areas
   
5. 
   WC will continue to work with existing programs (such as Rural Legacy, Forest Legacy, Program Open Space, and CREP) to protect natural shoreline and adjacent landward areas through the purchase of development rights or shoreline easements (or fee simple purchase). Keep
   
6. 
   WC will investigate the use of 'rolling easements' in other jurisdictions that are highly susceptible to sea level rise and investigate the feasibility of purchase of 'rolling easements' from tidal shoreline developers on a voluntary basis. Investigate alternatives for undeveloped canals. Delete