Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Bad bills shot down by Assembly

By MARK TAYLOR
THE ROANOKE TIMES

    As it always does, Virginia's General Assembly considered many outdoors recreation-related bills during its wintertime session, which ended this past weekend.

    There were a couple of doozies out there and, to their credit, legislators killed them. The worst of the bunch was a proposal to merge the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Marine Resources Commission. Runners-up in the "What were they thinking?" category included an unfair bill to raise taxes on boaters and one that would have required all operators of personal watercraft to complete a boater education course.

    Quite a few bills survived the legislative gantlet and now await the governor's signature. Here are some of the highlights:

    House Bill 1525 : Would allow localities to establish boating pass-through zones in areas that become congested. This bill was born of problems in some popular coastal boating areas, where flotillas of partying boaters sometimes create logjams.

    House Bill 1526 : Would allow localities to establish minimum distances from shore that personal watercraft can be operated in excess of minimum speed to maintain steerageway. The distance can be no less than 50 feet and no more than 200 feet.

    House Bill 1663: Would increase the cost of an annual nonresident hunting license from $60 to $80, and three-day license from $30 to $40. Tell Uncle Jake to start saving before his visit next deer season.

    House Bill 1765: Would allow the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to issue deer kill permits to landowners who experience damage to residential plants. The permits would cost a fee not to exceed the actual costs of administering them.

    House Bill 1874: Would allow individuals to make a voluntary $2 contribution to Hunters for the Hungry when purchasing a hunting license. The governor would be crazy not to sign this one, which garnered unanimous support in both the Senate and House.

    House Bill 2419: Would establish a $10 lifetime trapping license for individuals 65 and older. The current annual fee for trappers over 65 is $1, which makes me wonder how many of these the game department will sell.

    House Bill 2752: Would create the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Species Act within the game department. Among other things it makes it illegal to possess, import, sell or otherwise traffic in such species as zebra mussels and the infamous snakehead fish.

    Senate Bill 786: Would allow the game department to establish parking, admittance or other fees at department-owned facilities. The fees would not apply to holders of fishing or hunting licenses. The free ride for non-hunters and -fishermen is about to come to an end.

    NEW SALTWATER RULES: If you think flounder fishing regulations are getting tighter by the year, you're not imagining things.

    Yet another change to flounder rules is among the items up for public dissection when the board of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission meets today in Newport News.

    To meet a required reduction in the statewide flounder harvest, the board is considering increasing the minimum size to 17 1/2 inches, as well as closing the season Jan.1 through March28 and for up to 13 days in July.

    The commission also is considering increasing the minimum size for black sea bass from 11 1/2 inches to 12 inches, and closing the recreational fishing season Sept.2-15 and Dec.1-31.

    Grey trout rules also are being reviewed. A new federal plan does not allow midseason changes of bag limits and minimum sizes, as Virginia's rules now stand. So the following year-round minimum size-bag limit combinations will be considered: 12 inches-seven fish; 13 inches-eight fish; 14 inches-nine fish; 15 inches or more-10 fish.

    COVE BOATING: With Carvins Cove reservoir finally full, Roanoke officials hope to reopen the lake to boating Friday.

    The Cove's boat ramp has been closed since September 2001 because of low water.

    Initially, only private boats will be allowed. The city plans to open its boating rental operation on April1, when the recreation area begins operating under its expanded summertime hours.

    Because the ramp will not open in snowy or icy conditions, folks would be smart to call ahead to the area's security office (563-9170) if weather conditions are questionable. The security folks also can explain boat requirements to people unfamiliar with the area's strict rules.

    Remember, too, that a fee system is now in place at Carvins Cove.

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