DNR Adds Open House Location to Discuss Unused Blue Crab Licenses
Public Comment Encouraged at Four Open Houses

---

Annapolis, Md. - As previously announced, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is holding a series of Open Houses to address the issue of unused blue crab licenses.

To ensure that citizens in Southern Maryland can participate, an additional meeting has been added.

“Recognizing the importance of active citizen participation, the Department added a fourth location. We will also be posting the displays from the open houses online,” said Tom O’Connell, Director of DNR Fisheries Services.

These open houses are designed to provide information that outlines the problems associated with unused crab licenses, provide responses to the concerns that have been raised during the public comment period and receive constructive suggestions for short and long term solutions.

The additional Open House will be held:

April 27, 2009 - 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Solomons Volunteer Fire Hall
13150 H.G. Trueman Rd.
Solomons, MD 20688

The previously scheduled Open House information remains the same:

April 16, 2009 - 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Earleigh Heights Fire Hall
161 Ritchie Highway
Severna Park, MD 21146

April 20, 2009 - 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Black Diamond Lodge
310 N. Fruitland Blvd. (next to Adam’s Ribs)
Fruitland, MD 21826

April 21, 2009 - 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Easton Armory
7111 Ocean Gateway
Easton, MD 21601

The Open Houses are designed as educational exhibits that the public can attend at any time during the opening hours and stay as long as they wish. DNR Staff will be available to discuss the potential problems associated with unused crab licenses and listen to constructive input about possible solutions. For more information, call the Blue Crab Hotline at 410-260-8286.

---

April 16, 2009

Contact: Megan Rhoads 410-260-8001 mrhoads@dnr.state.md.us

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 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 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 12 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