Cultural Analysis for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Oyster Restoration Alternatives Presented Today

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Dr. Michael Paolisso and Nicole Dery, both from the University of Maryland, today presented the first chapter of the Oyster EIS, the Cultural Analysis, to members of the public, press and stakeholder groups at DNR headquarters in Annapolis. At the most broad level of analysis, data confirm that the oyster carries significant cultural meaning to residents of the Chesapeake Bay region. The Cultural Analysis is now available here. The next chapter of the EIS, the Ecosystem Impact Model, will be presented on August 12.

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July 28, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov