The Department’s dedicated account for shellfish habitat mitigation was established in 1999-2000 to ensure that no overall net loss of productive shellfish habitat occurs as a result of the construction of a dock, pier, or mooring at a single-family home. Today, the dedicated account also receives funds for mitigation of impacts to shellfish habitat caused by certain marina development. When an application for a permit to conduct activities in shellfish habitat is received, Department of Land Use Regulation (DLUR) staff review proposed disturbances and consider the losses measured in square feet, the documented density of shellfish in the area to be impacted, and the commercial value of the anticipated lost habitat. DLUR then assigns a fee which, upon payment, is deposited into the dedicated account. The funds in the dedicated account are then used by the Bureau of Shellfisheries, within the Marine Fisheries Administration (MFA), to conduct activities to offset the permitted impacts to shellfish habitat. This cooperative relationship is elaborated within the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DLUR and the MFA.