(a) Shellfish aquaculture leases shall be renewable annually for a term of 15 years from the date of issue. In the event that the original lessee does not pay their annual leased acreage fee by December 31 of each year, then these formerly leased grounds will become part of the inventory of potential lease sites on a first-come, first-served basis. Lease holders may designate any portion of their lease acreage in minimum 1-acre increments to be released to the inventory of available lease acreage at any time during the calendar year. There shall be no refund of lease fees for any acreage so released. (b) At the end of 15 years from issuance of a lease, the original lessee shall have first right to renew the lease for another 15-year period. In the event that the original lessee or their designee fails to renew their lease for 1 or more acres of their original lease acreage, then after 60 days following the expiration date of the lease on the acreage in question, the acreage not renewed shall revert to the inventory of available lease sites. Any equipment on lease acreage that is not renewed must be removed by the original lease holder within 30 days after the termination of the lease, or it will be considered by the Department as abandoned. (c) It shall be lawful for any lease holder to transfer his or her lease to another eligible applicant at any time within 30 days after written notification is received and approved by the Department, provided such notification is signed and notarized by both the parties making and receiving the transfer. Any stipulations or restrictions placed by the Department on the lease site in question shall be binding for any subsequent holders of a lease for this particular lease site.
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