Plan to Lease Mississippi’s Public Oyster Reefs to Private Companies Blocked
Mississippi’s plan to lease 80% of its public oyster reefs to private companies is on pause after a Harrison County judge temporarily blocked the program Monday.
Chancery Court Judge Jim Persons granted a preliminary injunction, halting the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources from issuing new leases while a lawsuit plays out. The order is temporary, meant to keep the program from moving forward until the court makes a decision.
MDMR Executive Director Joe Spraggins said that the judge said the program, under the Fourth Amendment, unconstitutionally restricts...
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