(a) No shellfish grounds shall be leased to any person or persons, partnerships or corporations in tracts consisting of less than 1 acre or more than 5 acres in Rehoboth and Indian River Bays combined. All leases shall be granted in minimum increments of 1 acre. An applicant may lease 1-5 acres in Little Assawoman Bay in addition to any acreage leased by the applicant in Rehoboth and Indian River Bay. All leases will be in a general rectangular shape. The initial offering of sites available for leasing shall be by public lottery conducted by the Department. Included in the lottery shall be all eligible applicants who indicate in writing before the published deadline their desire to participate in the lottery. Opportunity to participate in the lottery shall be duly noticed by the Department in a press release and publication of a legal notice in 2 newspapers of state-wide distribution at least 30 days prior to the lottery. The first participant selected in the lottery shall have first choice among available lease sites. The second participant selected shall have second choice. The third participant shall have third choice and so on until all available acreage for leasing has been assigned, or there are no more applicants remaining in the lottery. Subsequent to the initial lottery, potential lease sites shall be available for leasing on a first-come, first-serve basis.

(b) After 3 years from the date of issuance of the first lease, the Department shall decide by regulation if the size of leases issued to any 1 applicant may be increased beyond 5 acres. Those already holding leases shall have first right of refusal concerning adding to their acreage beyond 5 acres up to the maximum acreage allowed to any 1 applicant. The restriction contained in this subsection shall not apply to those leases granted for scientific purposes as described in § 2005(b) of this title.

(c) The Department shall annually make available to anyone requesting it the general locations of identified shellfish grounds which are available to be leased and are not currently subject to a valid lease. Upon specific request, the Department shall furnish a more detailed description of the remaining specific shellfish aquaculture subaqueous lands identified for lease.

(d) Any person wishing to lease shellfish grounds in accordance with this section shall make application to the Department on a form which shall be provided by the Department. Each application must be complete. The Department may require additional and/or supplemental information if deemed necessary.

(e) The Department shall have the final authority to approve a proposed lease in an area not identified for shellfish aquaculture by the Department, taking into consideration comments received at any public hearings relative to the proposed lease.

(f) In the event that more than 1 application is received for the same lease grounds, the grounds will be leased on a first-come, first-serve basis.

79 Del. Laws, c. 178, § 3.