Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Federal judge blocks on‑bottom oyster leases; commission to continue prior operations and form task force
Summary
A federal court issued a preliminary injunction halting on‑bottom oyster leases on grounds cited as a constitutional issue; the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources director said the agency will continue prior operating practices while scientists assess reefs and the commission will form an oyster task force to plan next steps.
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against on‑bottom oyster leases, and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) said it will continue operating under its existing practices while staff and scientists assess oyster reef conditions. The decision stemmed from a judge's finding that a residency requirement limiting leases to Mississippi residents raised constitutional concerns under the Fourth Amendment, the director said. That ruling triggered immediate operational uncertainty for the state’s on‑bottom lease program. MDMR's director told the commission the…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
