Public Notice: Pertaining to increase the Nonresident Harvesters License fee

NOTICE

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments to Regulation 4 VAC 20-730-10 et seq. described below. In accordance with §28.2-209 of the Code of Virginia, a public hearing on the proposed regulations will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, September 22, 1998, at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. Written comments on the proposed amendments should be mailed to: Jack Travelstead, VMRC Fisheries Management Division, P. O. Box 756, Newport News, Virginia 23607. A copy of the proposed regulation may be reviewed at the Commission, Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Persons interested in obtaining a copy of the proposed regulation may call the Commission at (757) 247-2248.

1st Amendment:  This amendment proposes to increase the Nonresident Harvesters License fee described in 4 VAC 20-730-20 from $350.00 up to $1000.00. The purpose of the amendment is to charge nonresident commercial fishermen a fee which places the burden of the costs of fisheries management equally on resident and nonresident fishermen. An analysis of general fund costs for programs benefiting nonresident commercial fishermen in the Virginia fisheries documents that a fee as high as $1010.00 could be charged to place burden equally between residents and nonresidents.

2nd Amendment:  This amendment proposes to modify 4 VAC 20-730-30 to remove the exception provided for non-resident charterboat and headboat owners. The amendment requires non-resident owners of charterboats and headboats to purchase a Non-Resident Harvesters License prior to purchasing a charterboat or headboat license to fish in Virginia. The purpose of the amendment is to apply the non-resident fee equally to all non-resident commercial fishing operators in Virginia.

3rd Amendment:  This amendment proposes to limit the sale of charterboat and headboat licenses in 1999, and thereafter to the number of licenses for charterboat and headboats sold in 1998. Persons holding a 1998 charterboat or headboat license shall have prior right to the license in 1999 and thereafter. Should the available number of licenses not be sold in any year, sales of licenses to new charterboat or headboat owners shall be determined by lottery. The purpose of this amendment is to cap the fishing effort of the charterboat and headboat fleets at the 1998 level.

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

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