COMMISSION ACTIONS April 28, 2020

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA. THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED AS SUBMITTED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. [audio]

2. PERMITS (Projects over $500,000.00 with no objections and with staff recommendation for approval). ITEM 2 WAS APPROVED PER STAFF RECOMMENDATION BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. [audio]

3. PUBLIC HEARING Proposal to amend Chapter 4 VAC 20-1270-10 et seq., "Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden" related to the transfer of management authority of the species from the General Assembly to VMRC and to be in compliance with the ASMFC Atlantic menhaden fishery management plan to avoid a moratorium of the fishery effective June 17, 2020. THE COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 4 VAC 20-1270-10 ET SEQ., "PERTAINING TO ATLANTIC MENHADEN," FOR THE VMRC TO ACCEPT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY FROM THE VIRGINIA'S GENERAL ASSEMBLY, TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ASMFC'S ATLANTIC MENHADEN FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN, AND TO AVOID A STATEWIDE MORATORIUM OF THE FISHERY EFFECTIVE JUNE 17, 2020. [audio]

PAGE 2 ITEMS [audio]

2. Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, #20-0505 Requests authorization to place up to 33 barges using spuds and anchor systems from April through mid-September to create up to 110,000 square feet of temporary bird nesting habitat in Hampton Roads at the mouth of the James River adjacent to Fort Wool in Hampton. Recommend approval of the permit for the 2020 nesting season. ITEM 2 WAS APPROVED PER STAFF RECOMMENDATION BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.