Terrapin law take effect today. DNR to save more beaches for terra

[M Whilden]

M Whilden

July 1, 2007 at 5:28 pm #25048

Higher fishing license fees take effect : More than 100 state laws begin today By JEFF HORSEMAN, Staff Writer It costs more to fish and diamondback terrapins are off-limits starting today, as more than 100 new state laws went into effect. Three other new laws allow felons who have completed their sentences to vote, require a paper trail for elections, and change the way Anne Arundel County’s school board is chosen.Also, today is the beginning of the state government’s new fiscal year, and the day a record $400 million becomes available for school construction, as well as $7 million to hire 155 new correctional officers for state prisons.More laws will take effect in October. The laws were passed this spring by the General Assembly.The cost of fishing licenses increase for the first time in more than a decade. A non-tidal angler’s license for a Maryland resident will cost $20.50, that’s a $10 increase according to a state Department of Legislative Services summary.Non-state residents will pay $30.50, also a $10 increase.The cost of sport fishing licenses will rise from $6 to $15 for Marylanders and from $14 to $15 for out-of-staters. For non-charter boats, the fee will go from $40 to $50.The higher fees are expected to raise $6.7 million over the next three years to pay for efforts to study and replenish fish populations.Gordon Mitchell, manager of Winchester Creek Outfitters in Grasonville, said the fee hikes likely won’t affect how often Marylanders fish.”I don’t think it’s as much as some other states,” he said.Still, Mr. Mitchell is concerned the money from the increased fees won’t be used to help Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, which regulates fishing.Mike Gripkey, manager of Mike’s Bait Co. in Gambrills, said he strongly opposes the higher fees. While the fees may raise more money in the short term, they’ll turn people off from fishing legally over the long run, he said.”There’s an opportunity for it to become catastrophic,” he said.Harvest banThe Maryland state reptile will no longer be legally harvested under the new ban.The new law is meant to boost a sagging turtle population that didn’t improve after the state enacted limits on terrapin harvesting last year.”In essence, we’ve stopped the bleeding,” said Marguerite Whilden, referring to the population.With the harvest, “you’re losing blood as fast as you put it back in,” said Ms. Whilden, who runs the Terrapin Institute in Shady Side.Despite the new ban, terrapins still face challenges. The beaches where they spawn are vanishing as property owners build bulkheads to prevent erosion.Harley Speir, the DNR’s head of regulatory and compliance programs, said his agency will work with landowners to save more beaches for terrapins.Ms. Whilden said she hopes the ban doesn’t lull the public into thinking terrapins will be fine. “I’m delighted with the law and those who supported it,” she said. “Now let’s not rest on our laurels.”Snapping turtles can still be caught. But a new law going into effect today allows the DNR to impose regulations on the harvest. Mr. Spier said a work group of harvesters, biologists and others will be meeting to discuss the regulations.Marking a change that lawmakers and activists have sought for decades, members of the county Board of Education seeking a second five-year term will have to run for re-election.The new law allows the governor to choose new school board members from a list created by an 11-member community panel. Until the law takes effect the governor could appoint anyone and members did not have to be re-elected by voters.Supporters say the change will create a more accountable board. But opponents say the board should be elected from the start, and they launched an unsuccessful petition drive to overturn the new law.Another new law allows developers to build wind farms without a certificate of public convenience from the Maryland Public Service Commission.While critics argued it will cut out public input on wind projects, the law’s supporters said the law only removes extra environmental reviews that were stifling wind power development in Maryland.Other critics say that under the new law, strides toward renewable power could come at the expense of wildlife.Voting for felonsThousands of convicted felons who have served their time will now be able to vote. A coalition of organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, will kick off a week of outreach programs Monday to inform people affected by the law who can now register to vote.A second new law related to voting prohibits the Maryland Board of Elections from certifying a voting system without verifiable paper records. It also requires that voting systems be accessible to people with disabilities.Another law taking effect creates a 20-member task force to address prison violence, a particular problem in Anne Arundel. Three inmates and a corrections officer were killed at the Maryland House of Correction in Jessup last year, prompting Gov. Martin O’Malley to close the maximum-security prison.The task force will include people appointed by Mr. O’Malley, representatives from correctional officers’ unions and two former prisoners. Marguerite Whildenwww.terrapininstitute.org410 370 9171

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