Virginia State Senator Richard H. Stuart of Montross and Va. Delegate Barry Knight of Virginia Beach have filed bills for introduction in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly which could set the stage for total extinction of the Menhadden fishery in the Chesapeake. Menhadden, which form a basic foundation of the Chesapeake Bay's food chain have been increasingly subject to overfishing, and in November, 2011, the Atlantic States marine Fisheries Commission took the first steps towards establishment of science based "catch limits" to preserve the species.

The menhaden fishing industries reaction: let's move to remove all limits and make a fast buck while we can. Two bills pre-filed for introduction in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly pose a grave threat to efforts to promote Bay conservation.

HB 88
Introduced by Barry D. Knight would remove the cap by removing a provision that allows an adjustment for underages or overages in the annual harvest cap to be carried over to the next year's cap limit. Currently, if a person harvests less than the 109,020 metric ton limit on taking menhaden, he can add the difference to his cap for next year's harvest. Conversely, if he exceeds the cap in any one year, he must reduce his harvest in the succeeding year by the amount of the overage of the preceding year.

A copy of this bill is available at:http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB88+pdf" rel="external" title=""> http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB88+pdf

SB 18
Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart removes authorization for Virginia's membership in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact. The purpose of the Compact is to promote better utilization of the marine, shell, and anadromous fisheries of the Atlantic seaboard through the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries and by the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any cause. If any state desires to remove itself from the Compact, it must send a six months' notice in writing to the member states of its intention to withdraw from the Compact.

A copy of this bill is available at http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+SB18+pdf

To stop these bills, Virginia legislaturive representatives need to hear from you now - early and often!

Go tohttp://legis.state.va.us/" rel="external" title=""> http://legis.state.va.us/
to find the name of your Delegate and Senator and others and write them to stop these bills.

Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Governor Bob McDonnell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2010
Contact: Stacey Johnson
Phone: (804) 225-4260
E-mail: Stacey.Johnson@Governor.Virginia.Gov

Governor McDonnell Promotes Virginia’s Seafood Industry, Tours Vineyard in Visit to Eastern Shore

~ Participates in Groundbreaking for New Robert S. Bloxom Eastern Shore Agricultural Complex in Melfa; Highlights Wine Industry at Chatham Vineyards and Winery in Machipongo~
--Melfa Complex Named After Former Virginia Delegate and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Robert S. Bloxom--

MELFA- Governor Bob McDonnell visited the Eastern Shore today to participate in the groundbreaking for a new Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) regional office and seafood packing facility in Melfa. Later he took a tour of the Chatham Vineyards and Winery in Machipongo. The Governor was joined on the trip by First Lady Maureen McDonnell; Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore; and Matt Lohr, newly appointed Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Speaking about the groundbreaking for the Robert S. Bloxom Eastern Shore Agricultural Complex in Melfa, the Governor noted, “Virginia’s seafood industry is one of the oldest industries in the United States and one of the Commonwealth’s most economically important. We are the nation’s fourth largest producer of marine products, trailing only Alaska, Louisiana and Washington. The annual economic impact of the industry is over half a billion dollars a year, and there are approximately 11,000 full and part-time jobs in Virginia connected to the seafood industry. It is a vital part of the Virginia economy of today and tomorrow. And it is with a focus on tomorrow that we are breaking ground on this new facility –it will meet the needs of our seafood industry well into the 21st century. It will also encourage the further development of one of Virginia’s greatest natural resources, our fisheries, as well as the expansion of statewide, regional, domestic, and international markets for these great products.”

Commenting on the visit to the Chatham Vineyards and Winery, McDonnell remarked, “Wineries and vineyards across the Commonwealth, both large and small, contribute significantly to Virginia’s economy, providing jobs and financial benefits. With the help of bipartisan legislation passed this session that supports the Commonwealth's wine and grape promotional and research efforts, the Virginia wine industry, including Chatham Vineyards and Winery, will be able to grow and attract more visitors from all over the world. That is a win-win for Virginia.”

Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Todd Haymore, added, "The Eastern Shore is one of the most important agricultural regions of the Commonwealth. "From seafood to vegetables to poultry to grains to wine grapes, the Eastern Shore is responsible for producing some of the highest quality and most in demand products in the nation and around the world. The Robert S. Bloxom Eastern Shore Agricultural Complex and workers manning this new facility will help ensure that the growers, producers, and watermen on the Eastern Shore will have the resources that they need to continue producing these top quality products."

To enhance the economic opportunities for the citizens of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the Commonwealth is establishing a centralized, modern facility for freezing and storing fresh seafood products at the site of the Eastern Shore Farmers’ Market. Today’s system allows fishermen to unload product directly at the dock for sale to wholesale and retail outlets represented there. With blast freezing and freezer storage, fishermen can spread out the catch instead of flooding the market, and they can add value to the product, thus commanding a higher price. In addition, a new office facility for VDACS will be built to consolidate agency marketing and consumer protection services into one location. Office space for the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District will also be provided in the new office building.

ESVBA Board Meeting - Accomack Airport
Start: 03/10/2010 - 15:00
End: 03/10/2010 - 17:00
Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

ESVBA Board Meeting - ESVBA Office
Start: 04/14/2010 - 15:00
End: 04/14/2010 - 17:00
Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

ESVBA Board Meeting - Accomack Airport
Start: 05/12/2010 - 15:00
End: 05/12/2010 - 17:00
Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

ESVBA Board Meeting - Accomack Airport
Start: 06/09/2010 - 15:00
End: 06/09/2010 - 17:00
Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority has been formed to bring improved broadband and telecommunications services to the businesses and residents of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The Authority is a public not for profit company created under the Virginia Wireless Service Authorities Act, Chapter 54.1 §15.2-543.1.1 et seq. and by a resolution of the Counties of Northampton and Accomack.

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Initiative is made up of three main projects:
1. The Southern Portion of the fiber backbone
2. The Northern Portion of the fiber backbone
3. The Last Mile (Community Networks)

The backbone will be an open access network allowing public companies to provide services to the businesses and residents of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

The main goal of the first project within the initiative is to plan, design and construct a fiber backbone from Norfolk in the South to Cape Charles across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. This project is funded by NASA and will be installed by Mid Atlantic Broadband.

The second major project is to plan, design and construct the Northern Portion of the fiber backbone from Cape Charles to Wallops connecting with Maryland Broadband in the North. The backbone will follow the Railway ROW in this project. The Northern Portion project is funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA).

The third project is known as "The Last Mile". This project is the creation of the Community networks will be done in several phases and will be the construction of the access and distribution networks from the backbone to the Communities, Government, Hospital, Schools, Businesses and Residences. Priority will be given to our largest customers such as our schools, hospitals and government.

It is a regional and local effort that includes both Northampton and Accomack County and all the communities of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The counties are providing project funding for the planning process of the Initiative.

The Eastern Shore of Broadband Authority Board is comprised of five (5) members from Accomack and Northampton Counties. The current Board members are:

Katie Nunez, Chair (chair@esvabroadband.net)
Mike Zodun, Vice Chair
Joseph Caffrey, Treasurer
Steven Miner
Dimitri Plionis

The project manager for the Broadband Initiative is Cheryl Tyson, MBA PMP. Cheryl can be contacted at ctyson@esvabroadband.net. General inquiries can be sent to info@esvabroadband.net.

The Accomack Northampton Planning District Commission is also providing project support for the initiative. Please visit there website for more detailed information about the Broadband Initiative including the Community Planning Study, Final Report Maps, a Fiber Speed Demonstration and Minutes at www.a-npdc.org/broadband.html.

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 449, Wachapreague, Virginia 23480
Physical Address: 36272 Lecato Road, Unit #21E, Belle Haven, Virginia 23306
Office Numbers: (757) 787-1390 / (757) 414-0304