3036                                    JOINT RESOLUTIONS

undertaken since 1906; and

WHEREAS, Without extensive revision of existing
charts, the exact location of natural bars and barren
bottom cannot be determined; and

[[WHEREAS, On the basis of the unreliable
information contained in these charts, large tracts of
submerged lands are leased; and]]

WHEREAS, The purpose of leasing submerged areas is
to redeem barren bottom to create productive shellfish
bars through careful management; and

WHEREAS, The leased areas frequently are not managed
with the intention to restore the areas and instead the
leasing privilege is abused; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
the Secretary of Natural Resources is requested to
prohibit further leasing of submerged areas until a
comprehensive survey of the submerged lands can be made
to determine the exact location of distinctive natural
bars and barren bottom; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of Natural Resources is
urged to reexamine the existing law under which submerged
land is leased and to consider placing upon the applicant
a burden of demonstrating the area included is barren
bottom and therefore eligible for lease; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be sent to:
James Coulter, Secretary of Natural Resources, Tawes
State Office Building, Annapolis, Maryland 21401; and the
Officers and Board of Directors of the Maryland
Watermen's Association, Inc.: Lester J. Belcher, Jr., 13
School Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401; Robert Eurice,
Rt. 15, Box 626, Baltimore, Maryland 21220; James Willard
Dutton, White Plains, Maryland 20695; Robert Jones, Box
77 White Hall Road, Cambridge, Maryland 21613; Jerome
Robinson, Toddville, Maryland 21672; Larry Simns, Rock
Hall, Maryland 21661; Norman Dorrell, Box 151,
Grasonville, Maryland 21638; Dave Sayre, St. Georges
Island, Maryland 20683; Morris G. Marsh, Ewell, Maryland
21824; John Kinnamon, Tilghman, Maryland 21671; Benjamin
F. Waters, Nanticoke, Maryland 21826; and Ricks Savage,
Rt. 2 Box 212, Berlin, Maryland 21811.

Approved May 31, 1974.

No. 45