The Maryland Department of the Environment announced yesterday it plans to ban shellfish harvesting in most of the Wye River because of potentially unsafe bacteria levels in the water.

The shellfishing ban, which takes effect Sept. 28, covers the eastern branch of the river, its headwaters and Wye Narrows. Until now, those areas had been subject to temporary closure for harvesting of clams and oysters after heavy rains.

The closed portions of the river have oyster beds, but are not major commercial harvesting areas, said Quentin Banks, agency spokesman. Officials say the increased bacteria might come from polluted runoff from farms, homes and towns along the Wye banks.

Pub Date: 9/15/98