COMMISSION ACTIONS FEBRUARY 2003

FEBRUARY 2003 COMMISSION ACTIONS

Agenda Items for the February 25, 2003 Commission meeting are listed below with the Commission's actions in bold.

1. MINUTES of previous meeting. The Commission voted, 6-0, to approve the minutes.

2. PERMITS (Projects over $50,000 with no objections and with staff recommendation for approval). The Commission voted, 7-0, to approve the permits.

3. EXECUTIVE SESSION. A brief executive session was held.

4. YORK RIVER YACHT HAVEN ASSOCIATION, #02-2264, requests authorization to deploy 10,645 oyster aquaculture racks on a 28.39 acre oyster lease immediately east of the Sarah Creek entrance channel along the York River, between Quarter Point and Sarah Creek in Gloucester County. Each rack is designed to measure three (3) feet wide and six and one-half (-6.5) feet long and to extend three (3) feet above the substrate. Each rack, as well as the perimeter of the occupied area, is proposed to be marked. The project is protested by a working waterman. The Commission voted, 7-0, to approve the permit with staff recommendations.

5. CAROLYN DAY, #02-2242, requests authorization to install approximately 148 linear feet of quarry stone riprap revetment in front of an existing timber bulkhead, the toe of which will be aligned eight (8) feet channelward of mean low water adjacent to her property situated along Dividing Creek in Northumberland County. The project is protested by both the adjacent property owners.  The Commission voted, 7-0, to approve the permit with staff recommendations.

6. GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY, #03-0033, requests authorization to install approximately 650 linear feet of riprap revetment to stabilize an eroding shoreline, remove an existing deteriorating boat ramp and install a dual lane concrete ramp and tending pier, and construct a replacement travel lift to provide water access for boats in dry storage as part of an overall renovation to the Washington Sailing Marina, situated along the Potomac River in the City of Alexandria. A wetlands permit is required.  The Commission voted, 7-0, to approve the permit with staff recommendations.

7. THE GREEN ASSOCIATION, #00-0629, WILLIAM R. EVANS, #01-1526, KARL F. JORSS, JR., #01-1582, request after-the-fact authorization to retain unauthorized pie structures which have been added to three (3) separate community piers located adjacent to The Green subdivision along Dead and Bones Cove of Carter Creek in Lancaster County. The Commission approved each of the three after-the-fact requests by a 6-1 vote and placed a $600 civil charge against the contractor in each case. In the case of William R. Evans, an additional $600 civil charge was placed against the property owner in lieu of further civil action.

8. PUBLIC COMMENTS:  There were no comments.

9. PUBLIC HEARING: Request of Virginia Seafood Council to deploy about one million triploid Suminoe oysters in Virginia waters. The Commission approved the request by a 5-1 vote with two abstentions (Ballard and Cowart) and one absence. The motion included the Council's proposal, along with a number of staff recommendations.

10. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-380-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Grey Trout," to incorporate the provisions of Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (bycatch allowances, gill net seasons, and recreational minimum size and possession limits. The Commission voted, 7-0, to approve the amendments as recommended.

11. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-950-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Black Sea Bass," to establish a new minimum size limit (12 inches) and closed fishing seasons in 2003. The Commission voted, 6-0, to approve the amendments as recommended.

12. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-530-10 et seq., "Pertaining to American Shad," to allow for the transfer of commercial permits for the harvest of American Shad in the Coastal Area. The Commission voted, 4-2, not to approve the amendments.

13. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-910-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Scup," to reduce the trip limit in the commercial fishery for the Winter I period. The Commission voted, 6-0, to approve the amendments as recommended.

14. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-620-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Summer Flounder," to establish size, possession and seasonal limits for the 2003 recreational fishery. The Commission voted, 6-0, to approve the amendments as recommended with a 17-1/2 inch statewide minimum size and an eight fish limit.

15. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-252-10 et eq., "Pertaining to the Taking of Striped Bass," to allocate the quota for the Coastal Area fishery. The Commission voted, 6-0, to approve the amendments as recommended.

15. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-720-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Restrictions on Oyster Harvest," to allow the use of patent tongs on Deep Rock. There was no motion and the emergency regulation expired.

16. Consideration of the 2003 Oyster Replenishment Plan and approval of procurement procedures. The Commission voted, 6-0, to approve the plan and procurement procedures.

18. REPEAT OFFENDERS:  Seven cases were heard by the Commission.  One waterman's licenses were suspended for one year, a second waterman's licenses were suspended until he appeared, and the remaining five were placed on a one year probation. 

NEXT MEETING: March 25, 2003

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