Publice Notice: Proposed Amendments to Various Regulations

NOTICE

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on the proposals listed below.
In accordance with §28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the proposals will be held at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at the Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. Written comments on the proposals should be mailed to Jack Travelstead, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, 2600 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, Virginia 23607, by 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 24, 2006. Copies of the proposed amendments may be reviewed at the Commission Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and may be obtained by calling the Commission at (757) 247-2248.

Regulation 4 VAC 20-560-10 Et Seq., "Pertaining to Shellfish Management Areas" 

On March 28, 2006 the Commission adopted Emergency amendments that: 1) eliminate all descriptions and restrictions associated with the Hampton Roads Shellfish Relay Area, as these provisions are contained in Regulation 4 VAC 20-566-10 et seq.; 2) establish the lawful season for the harvest of clams by patent tong from the Newport News Shellfish Management Area, as December 1 through April 30, except that if the catch of clams per tong-hour for the previous season is less than 174 clams per tong-hour, the lawful season shall extend through March 31; and, 3) establish that it shall be unlawful for any person to harvest clams by patent tong from the Newport News Shellfish Management Area from May 1 through November 30, except that if the catch of clams per tong-hour for the previous season is less than 174 clams per tong-hour, it shall be unlawful for any person to harvest clams by patent tong from the Newport News Shellfish Management Area, from April 1 through November 30. The purpose of these amendments is that management and conservation measures may take into account variations among, and contingencies in, fisheries, fisheries resources and catches.

Regulation 4 VAC 20-1100-10 Et Seq. "Pertaining to Shellfish Handling"

This proposed Regulation describes mandatory procedures for disposal of sewage from vessels. Any boat or vessel engaged in harvesting or transporting shellfish shall have on board an approved Type III marine sanitation device (holding tank), portable toilet or other sewage disposal receptacle. Portable toilets shall: 1) Be constructed of high quality plastic that is durable, easy to clean, and will not spill; 2) Be used only for the purpose intended; 3) Be secured while on board the vessel and located to prevent contamination of shellstock by spillage or leakage; 4) Be emptied only into an approved sewage disposal system; 5) Be cleaned before being returned to the boat; and, 6) Not be cleaned with equipment used for washing or processing food.

Use of other receptacles for sewage disposal are approved if the receptacles are constructed of impervious, cleanable materials, have tight fitting lids, and meet the requirements 1 - 6, above. The purpose of this regulation is to ensure the safe and sanitary control of the harvesting and transporting of molluscan shellfish for human consumption.

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 VMRC DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES; THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO A DISABILITY, PLEASE ADVISE DEBORAH CAWTHON (757) 247-2248 NO LATER THAN FIVE WORK DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE AND IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS.

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