COMMISSION ACTIONS June 25, 2024

** APPROVAL OF AGENDA. THE COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

1. MINUTES of previous meeting. THE COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING WITH ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER HAND ABSTAINING.

2. PERMITS (Projects over $500,000.00 with no objections and with staff recommendation for approval). ITEMS 2A-2C WERE APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

3. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. NONE.

4. CLOSED MEETING FOR CONSULTATION WITH, OR BRIEFING BY, COUNSEL. NONE.

5. PUBLIC COMMENTS Dale Neal updated the commission on attempts to secure funding for a VIMS menhaden study. Daquan Morris asked the commission to reinstate his oyster user fee after having missed one year. The Commission voted unanimously to reinstate Mr. Morris' oyster user fee if he agreed to pay the fee for the missed year as well. Steve Atkinson spoke about the need for further menhaden research and recommended revising the bay cap on the reduction fishery.

6. PUBLIC HEARING Proposal to amend Chapter 4VAC20-1270-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden", to establish a quota and license transfer system for the menhaden purse seine bait sector. THE COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO AMEND CHAPTER 4 VAC 20-1270-10 ET SEQ., "PERTAINING TO ATLANTIC MENHADEN", TO ESTABLISH A QUOTA AND LICENSE TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR THE MENHADEN PURSE SEINE BAIT SECTOR.

7. PUBLIC HEARING Proposal to amend Chapter 4VAC20-270-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Blue Crab Fishery" to establish management measures, including season and bushel limits, for the 2024-2025 commercial crab fisheries and to amend the daily time limits for commercial harvest. THE COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO AMEND CHAPTER 4 VAC 20-270-10 ET SEQ., "PERTAINING TO BLUE CRAB FISHERY," TO ESTABLISH MANAGEMENT MEASURES, INCLUDING STATUS QUO SEASON AND BUSHEL LIMITS, FOR THE 2024-2025 COMMERCIAL CRAB FISHERIES WITH A DAILY TIME LIMIT OF 3 AM TO 5 PM.

8. PUBLIC HEARING Proposal to amend Chapter 4VAC20-140-10 et seq., "Pertaining to the Identification and Location of Crab Pots, Peeler Pots, Eel Pots, and Fish Pots" to clarify the height required for identifying information on crab and eel pot buoys as described in Section 28.2-712 of the Code of Virginia. THE COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO AMEND CHAPTER 4 VAC 20-140-10 ET SEQ., "PERTAINING TO THE IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION OF CRAB POTS, PEELER POTS, EEL POTS AND FISH POTS," TO CLARIFY THE HEIGHT REQUIRED FOR IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ON CRAB AND EEL POT BUOYS AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 28.2-712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA.

9. PUBLIC HEARING Proposal to amend Chapter 4VAC20-1140-10 et seq., "Prohibition of Crab Dredging in Virginia Waters" to close the December 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, winter commercial crab dredge fishing season, in accordance with the provisions of Section 28.2-707 of the Code of Virginia. THE COMMISSION VOTED 5-4 TO REPEAL CHAPTER 4 VAC 20-1140-10 ET SEQ., "PROHIBITION OF CRAB DREDGING IN VIRGINIA WATERS." THE COMMISSION ALSO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY FOR STAFF TO BRING A CRAB DREDGE REGULATION FOR A VOTE IN SEPTEMBER.

PAGE 2 ITEMS

A. ROBERT MARLIN, VMRC #24-0795 requests authorization to install 118 linear feet of riprap, the toe of which may be installed a maximum of 7.5 feet channelward of mean high water at 713 Seabrook Lane, situated along Bells Mill Creek in the City of Chesapeake. The applicant has agreed to purchase wetlands credits from the New Mill Creek mitigation bank to offset tidal wetlands losses. This project requires a Commission tidal wetlands permit. THE PROJECT WAS APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

B. BAE SYSTEMS NORFOLK SHIP REPAIR, VMRC #23-2562 requests authorization to maintenance dredge a maximum of 150,000 cubic yards of state-owned submerged land, on an as-needed basis, to maintain depths ranging from -36 feet to -64 feet mean low water adjacent to existing piers and dry docks at the BAE Norfolk Ship Repair facility located on Berkley Avenue, situated along the Southern Branch Elizabeth River in Norfolk. The dredged material will be transferred by barge to CIDMMA/CIRB or Shirley Plantation, or by truck to Dominion Landfill. THE PROJECT WAS APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

C. TRENT TALIAFERRO, VMRC #24-0610 requests authorization to install two (2) 52-foot long low profile vinyl groins and a 5-foot wide riprap rock apron at the landward terminus of one of the groins at 416 Wharf Road, situated along the Rappahannock River in Essex County. The project requires a Commission tidal wetlands permit. THE PROJECT WAS APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.