Dean Yaxa stated that for the past five years the weeklong shellfishing closure imposed around the July 4th holiday had hurt clammers significantly. He would prefer to have a "no discharge zone" instead of the blanket holiday closures, which put clammers out of business. Mr. Young explained that the DEC lacked authority to close an area to recreational boating. It was a shellfish public health issue involving the DEC, Department of State, local communities, and coastal zone management programs. The audience pointed out that state and federal money was available for pump discharge boats.