Study Considers Oyster Solutions

State and federal environmental officials are considering several fixes to revive the Chesapeake Bay's depleted oyster population, including a temporary harvest moratorium and the introduction of nonnative Asian oysters, but they acknowledge there are no easy solutions.

A study released Tuesday has been underway for nearly five years and involved about 90 scientists. It considers several scenarios, including a compensation program for oyster industries.

"Everything is on the table," said Col. Dionysios Anninos, Norfolk District commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The draft environmental impact statement was prepared by the corps, the Virginia Marine Resource and the Maryland Department of the Environment. A 60-day public comment period begins tomorrow.

O'Malley Speaks to Public School Superintendents

Gov. Martin O'Malley praised the state's public school systems, citing continued progress in MSA test scores and noting that Maryland students rank among the best in the nation on Advanced Placement exam scores as well.

"Forbes magazine would say that we in Maryland have one of the three most highly skilled workforces in the country," O'Malley (D) told the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland on Tuesday in Annapolis. "We also have what Education Week says is one of the three best public school systems in America. It's a great tribute to your hard work that our students continue to achieve at unprecedented levels."

But O'Malley said the budget cuts for fiscal 2009 and the anticipated revenue shortfall for 2010 will affect education funding. He urged support for slot machines on the Nov. 4 referendum, saying they would mean more than $660 million in education funding alone by fiscal 2012.

State Recognizes S. Maryland Officers

Seven officers serving Southern Maryland were among 146 Maryland police officers recently honored for their commitment to the state's fight against drunken driving. Each was presented with a law enforcement medal and a uniform bar.

"The awardees represent the front lines in the fight against drunk driving in our state," said Neil J. Pedersen, Maryland State Highway administrator. "We owe so much to these men and women as we stand committed to winning Maryland's fight against impaired driving."

Those recognized included: Deputies Mark Fitzgerald and John Harms and Cpl. Richard Wilson of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office, Trooper Eric Evans of the Leonardtown barrack and Trooper Joseph Chirichella of the Prince Frederick barrack.

Cpl. Anthony Moschetto of Calvert and Officer Raymond Brooks of Charles County also were among those honored.

So far in 2008, law enforcement officers statewide have made more than 24,000 drunken-driving-related arrests.