The proposed rule amendments will reclassify some shellfish harvesting areas to protect the health of shellfish consumers and to provide access to renewable shellfish resources. The proposed rule amendments will also correct errors and formatting inconsistencies in the incorporated Shellfish Harvesting Area Classification Boundaries and Management Plans. The proposed rule amendments eliminate the adoption of and references to the classification maps and instead provide only the legal description of each area. The effect of these amendments is to maximize the amount of shellfish harvesting waters available and to maximize the times those waters will be in the open status while continuing to protect public health.