§4–11A–03.

§4–11A–03.1.

(a) There is an Aquaculture Review Board.

(b) (1) The Review Board shall consist of the following members, each of whom shall represent one of the following State departments charged with responsibility for an aspect of the State aquaculture permitting process or oversight of permit compliance:

(i) The Department of Natural Resources, to be represented by the Aquaculture Coordinator, who shall serve as chair;

(ii) One representative of the Department of the Environment, designated by the Secretary of the Environment;

(iii) One representative of the Maryland Department of Health, designated by the Secretary of Health; and

(iv) One representative of the Department of Agriculture, designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.

(2) The National Marine Fisheries Service shall be invited to designate a representative to the Review Board.

(3) The United States Army Corps of Engineers shall be invited to designate a representative to the Review Board.

(c) (1) The Aquaculture Coordinator shall be the single point of contact for an applicant for all permits and licenses necessary to conduct aquaculture in the State.

(2) The Review Board shall:

(i) Coordinate the development of statewide aquaculture policy and, to the maximum extent feasible, the streamlining of the application process;

(ii) Track each application as it is processed; and

(iii) Ensure full and meaningful departmental communication with an applicant during each stage of the application process.