Ahab's Journal

Marine Fisheries Legislative Study Committee Created in HB 773

PART XLVIII. MARINE FISHERIES LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE (H.B. 353 – McCormick, Glazier, Ingle, Samuelson)

 

SECTION 48.1.

Committee created. – There is created the Marine Fisheries Legislative Study Committee (Committee). The Committee shall consist of eight members as  follows:

(1) Four members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the  Senate.

(2) Four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of  the House of Representatives.

SECTION 48.2.

The Committee may study the following: 

(1) The potential impact to both the State's fisheries resources and the State's  economy related to the designation of Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus),  Spotted Sea Trout (Cynoscion nebulosus), and Striped Bass (Morone  saxatilis) as coastal game fish.

(2) Changes to the appointment process and qualification for membership on the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission.

(3) Creation of a hook and line commercial fishery.

(4) Elimination of the trawl boat fishery in North Carolina.

(5) Entering into reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions with regard to the conservation of marine and estuarine resources; and regulating  placement of nets and other sports or commercial fishing apparatus in coastal fishing waters with regard to navigational and recreational safety as  well as from a conservation standpoint. 

(6) Entering into agreements regarding the delegation of law enforcement  powers from the National Marine Fisheries Service over matters within the  jurisdiction of the Service. 

(7) Potential modification of the Fisheries Reform Act of 1997.

(8) Whether Marine Fisheries should be a division of the Coastal Resources Commission or the Wildlife Resources Commission.

(9) Other findings that promote the allocation of the State's resources to the  optimum use.

(10) Any other matters the Committee deems relevant. 

 

EDF President rejects 'invite' to Senate hearing

The Environmental Defense Fund's president has declined an invitation by a Senate subcommittee to testify in Boston Monday about the catch share fishery management system that EDF has helped push to the level of national policy — with an angry backlash from the fishing industry and Congress.

EDF President Fred Krupp last week turned down the written invitation to testify at 10 a.m. Monday in Fanueil Hall before Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security.

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Go Fish

  It’s a relatively rare event to see a bill fail on the floor of the House or Senate. That’s because legislative leader typically count the votes on anything approaching controversial.

S 571: Repeal Subsistence License Waivers (link) is the exception to that rule.

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Our View: Fishermen could benefit from putting NOAA in Interior Department

A proposal to combine two federal departments could bring significant changes to the policies that control commercial fishing.

A bill filed in Washington two weeks ago by North Carolina Republican Sen. Richard Burr would combine the departments of Commerce and Labor into a new Department of Commerce and the Workforce.

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HB 595: Consolidation & Reorganization of Legislative Oversight Committees

HB 595 would do away with Jt. Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture, transferring responsibilities to something called the Jt. Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations.

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Strategic Action Plans

The National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, our Coasts, and the Great Lakes prioritizes nine objectives to address some of the most pressing challenges facing these precious resources. The National Ocean Council is overseeing development of strategic action plans for each of the nine objectives.  As a first step the National Ocean Council has released nine strategic action plan outlines for public review during National Oceans Month.

Read more & Comment

Share Your Ideas with the National Ocean Council at a Listening Session Near You

Experts from the National Ocean Council’s 27 Federal agencies and offices have been busy drafting strategic action plans to achieve nine national priority objectives that address some of the most pressing challenges facing our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes.  Having already received your initial comments before we got started, we’d now like to hear from you again—this time with your thoughts on the strategic action plan outlines we’ve developed. That’s why we’re hosting a dozen Regional Listening Sessions at this still-early stage of the drafting process.  The strategic action plan outlines will be released in early June for a 30-day public comment period during which you will have the chance to chime in at one of the 12 Regional Listening Sessions or via the Web through a public comment portal.

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Congress, in a First, Removes an Animal From the Endangered Species List

Congress for the first time is directly intervening in the Endangered Species List and removing an animal from it, establishing a precedent for political influence over the list that has outraged environmental groups.

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Fishing interests plead for help from Congress

The casualties in the Northeast fishing industry continued to mount even as New Bedford's fishery council made its case directly to members of Congress Tuesday.

The shutdown of NORPEL, a herring and mackerel fishing and processing company in New Bedford, meant nearly 120 layoffs on the waterfront and, when the news of it was announced during the two-hour meeting, it became a perfect example of the struggle that the council is telling Congress about.

The unusual session, in which citizens conducted a meeting within the walls of the Capitol with members of Congress as invited guests, was the culmination of an intense year of lobbying, meetings, lawsuits, hearings and, in general, disappointment and frustration.

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Federal government shutdown shouldn't hurt fisheries

While the fishing industry is federally regulated, vessels should be able to continue on with their seasons. Boats with observer coverage won't lose that, even if Congress fails to pass a budget bill or another stop-gap resolution. That's because observers work on a contract system and are paid directly by the vessels, even though they coordinate with the federal government.

"The vessels would be able to continue the observer coverage that they require by going through the contractor system," says Paul Wilkins, who leads the observer program at the National Marine Fisheries Service's Dutch Harbor field station.

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Fishermen to departing Locke: 'Good riddance'

NEW BEDFORD — Gary Locke's expected exit from his post as U.S. Commerce Secretary was welcome news to his local critics, who have blasted Locke for bungling federal fishing oversight.

President Barack Obama is expected to tap Locke for the U.S. ambassadorship to China, according to numerous media reports.

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Global Corporatization of U.S.A. Oceans

“I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.” Thomas Jefferson.

American Dream-While You Were Sleeping. The Heist of America’s Lands-Oceans Next

Our resources are one of the things that have made our country so great. We are losing them along with our freedoms, rights and way of life. 

The Land Grab has all ready been implemented-United Nations biosphere reserve land and landmarks. Now the international greed-mongers have set their sights on U.S. waters-in, under and above. This would include the Great Lakes.

Is It Worth Cleaning the Chesapeake If There Are No More Watermen?

Let's talk about an endangered species. I could talk about the Delmarva Fox Squirrel (Acipenser brevirostrum) or even the Bog Turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii); instead I want to focus on the Eastern Shore Commercial Fisherman (Piscator orientali litore). It is impossible to discuss cleaning the Chesapeake Bay without mentioning watermen. There are no government agencies to protect the Piscator orientali litore: Agriculture (USDA) protects farmers, Interior (DOI) only protects industries that pay royalties to the US -- oil drilling, lumber, coal and natural gas, and Commerce (DOC) protects American business abroad. The EPA, NOAA, and the DOI's Fish and Wildlife service only regulate fishermen, not protect them. Commercial fishing, and in particular small fishermen in the Chesapeake Bay, are plum out of luck.

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Gary Locke to leave cabinet for Beijing

President Barack Obama has chosen Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to succeed Jon Huntsman as U.S. ambassador to China – signaling a more focused White House effort to press Asia’s emerging economic superpower on trade issues, according to administration officials.

Obama could make the announcement as soon as Tuesday, a senior administration official said, adding that the president has yet to settle on a list of possible replacements for Locke, a former two-term governor of Washington. Locke’s departure from the cabinet had long been rumored.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50817.html#ixzz1Fy7jqNiV

State fishing chief secretive on council nominees

Gov. Deval Patrick's director of marine fisheries dropped a veil of secrecy Thursday over the process for nominating candidates for four seats — including that of chairman John Pappalardo — on the embattled federal New England Fisheries Management Council.

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Gov. LePage vows support for fishing industry growth, envisions more processing plants

Rockport — Gov. Paul LePage attended the 36th annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport Friday, where he addressed more than 300 fishermen, clammers, lobstermen, aquaculturalists, scientists, fisheries regulators, and others involved in the fishing industry.

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Gov. Perdue cutting CFCC Marine Tech Program because it's "high cost"

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- It's the crown jewel of Cape Fear Community College. The Marine Technology program has been around for more than 45 years, but now it's on the budget chopping block. But now the governor says she is not targeting the program... totally.

Today we wanted to know why the Gov. Bev Perdue is targeting this program and less than $700,000 to cut a multi-billion-dollar budget gap.

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USTR Statement Regarding China’s Decision to Request WTO Consultations on Shrimp Antidumping Measures

Washington, D.C. – The Office of the United States Trade Representative issued a brief public statement today following the announcement by China to seek WTO consultations with the United States on shrimp antidumping measures: 

 

How many $millions are your 'favorite' ENGOs getting...

in their drive to take over NMFS and NOAA, to run your life and to destroy fishing communities that have been viable for generations?

I'm got the beginnings of a website - http://www.fishtruth.net/ - that will give you some idea, and if you're at all like me, you'll be staggered by the answer. Hundreds of millions of dollars just barely cover it.

These so-called grass roots organizations have roots that appear to go in only one direction - towards the board rooms of a handful of multi-billion dollar "charitable" foundations.

The link above will take you to the introduction page. From it you can get to the database of granters, grantees, years of the grants and (except for the Walton Foundation, which omits this information on their website) the purpose of the grants.

NC Camo: stop attempt to exempt speckled seatrout from management meaures to end overfishing

PROTECT SPECKLED SEA TROUT
End overfishing for speckled sea trout within two years through sound management measures
NC Camo Alert – House Bill 136 introduced to exempt Speckled Sea Trout from improved Fishery Management Plan requirements House Bill 136 has been introduced into the NC General Assembly to exempt speckled sea trout from the Fishery Management Plan Improvement Act  enacted in the 2010 session.  This bill will single out speckled sea trout for exclusion from the provision passed last session that requires fishery management plans to include measures to ensure ending overfishing within two years of approval of the fishery management plan for any species of fish that is overfished.  The law that was passed (SL 2010-13) is a strong and sorely needed improvement to the fishery management plan process.  The law received full review by both Houses of the NC General Assembly and passed by large margins.  The Governor signed the bill into law.  No positive reason is advanced for now trying to exempt the first fish, the speckled sea trout, to come up for consideration under this new law.

Nils Stolpe: It doesn't get much better than this

"A glance at the average chatroom would lead casual readers to believe that there is a vast, strange conspiracy linking all-powerful environmental groups with oil companies.... There are long, fantastical charts linking this group to that group, to prove the conspiracy of anti-fishers exists. Everyone is on Pew’s payroll, or Environmental Defense’s or Exxon’s. The only thing missing is a good 007 character to save the day."

Almost convincing, except for one thing. It was written by a CCA guy, Ted Venker, the Conservation Director. And who was the CCA's founder and head? Walter Fondren III. And who was Walter Fondren I? He was the founder of Humble Oil which kind of/sort of morphed into ESSO into Exxon into Exxon Mobil.

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CCA Advocacy Team

Prior to joining CCA, Ted Venker, Communications Director, worked for seven years as the Director of Communications for the Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association, the oldest oilfield service association in the country.

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Begich to head subcommittee that oversees oceans, fisheries

Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, was named chairman of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard.

It's a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The panel has prime jurisdiction over fisheries and other ocean and coastal issues.

USDA delays decision on catfish inspections

WASHINGTON -- The Agriculture Department has delayed a decision on a new catfish inspection program that threatens to derail U.S. trade relations with Vietnam.

The agency released a proposed rule Friday seeking more comment on the key question of whether Asian catfish will be subject to a new inspection regime that Congress passed in 2008 and that Asian producers say could kill their export business to the U.S.

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CCA Legislative Day - February 17, 2011

CCA NC has organized a special day for visiting our legislators in Raleigh on Thursday, February 17, 2011. Please gather in the NC Legislative Auditorium (3rd floor of the Legislative Building) at 9:00 am. Our goal is to visit every member of the General Assembly on this day.  Below are the top 3 issues we will cover as well as lobbying tips to help you maximize your visit with every Senator and Representative!

 Key Issues

1. 1.                                    Opposition to the 2010-13 amendment for Speckled Sea Trout
2. 2.                                    Gamefish Status
3. 3.                                    Joint Enforcement Authority

Fishing interests zero in on enviros' role

It has been nearly a year since America's fishing ports, building on a rally in Gloucester four months earlier, sent an estimated 5,000 people to Washington, D.C. to protest Obama administration fishing policies.

Since the Feb. 24, 2010 gathering at the north side of the Capitol dispersed in high spirits and hopes, there have been a small number of congressional hearings that have brought no profound changes.

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Máximo Cangá Castillo is an Ecuadorian farmer and fisherman

Máximo Cangá Castillo is an Ecuadorian farmer and fisherman. He lives in San Lorenzo in the state of Esmeraldes on the border with Columbia. Not only does he contend with the Columbian drug cartel and the palm tree investors, both of which steal farmers’ lands to plant drug labs or plantations, but he also is constantly fighting the invasion of the shrimp farm industry. The shrimp farm industry razes mangroves to make way for shrimp ponds to export cheap shrimp to the United States, but the mangroves are life for the people of coastal Ecuador.

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National Ocean Council Seeks Public Input for Strategic Action Plans

The National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes prioritizes nine action areas to address some of the most pressing challenges facing these precious resources. The National Ocean Council will prepare strategic action plans for each of these priority objectives.

The National Ocean Council is seeking public input as it develops the strategic action plans. Public comments will be accepted through April 29, 2011. Draft strategic action plans will be released in the summer of 2011, and will also be available for public comment.

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Mooneyham: Perdue decides not to decide

Perdue herself had argued that North Carolinians could be better served with fewer of the boards.

Even as she announced her decision, some government watchers were reviving a call to merge two of the more prominent state commissions in North Carolina — the Wildlife Resources Commission and the Marine Fisheries Commission.

Joe Albea, producer of UNC-TV's Carolina Outdoor Journal and a frequent critic of the Marine Fisheries Commission, cited cold-stunned speckled sea trout, dying in tidal waters overseen by both commissions, as an example of why the state needs a single commission and single agency overseeing fisheries.

“We need a single 10- or 12-member commission that puts the resource first,” Albea said.

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Gov. Patrick appeals to Obama for fishermen

Gov. Deval Patrick has written a letter to President Obama to intervene in New England's fishing wars. New regulations that reorganizes how fishermen can fish - along with lowered catch quotas for fishermen - has unleashed an enormous political effort to allow larger catches for fishermen. Patrick's efforts to have U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke raise quotas failed last month.

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Federal takeover of state waters leaving fishermen at risk

It recently came to my attention that the federal government has redrawn the three-mile line around Alaska, and some former state waters have now been rolled into the federal government’s domain.

The information is just hitting the streets around town. We’ve been talking with the ADF&G Commissioner to try to get a better sense for what’s going on. We also are working with Lisa Murkowski’s office to get more sense on what they may know or be able to do. It appears the change was made in the Coast Guard reauthorization bill that passed a couple years back.

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Jones works to maintain penalties on illegal foreign shrimp

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week U.S. Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) and three of his colleagues sent a letter to Deanna Okun, Chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) supporting the continuation of antidumping duty orders on frozen warmwater shrimp from Brazil, China, India, Thailand and Vietnam.  The orders were put in place in 2005 after a U.S. Department of Commerce investigation found that exporters from these countries were illegally dumping shrimp onto the U.S. market at less than fair value.  In a separate investigation, the U.S. International Trade Commission confirmed that the illegal dumping was having devastating effects on the U.S. shrimp industry, including widespread economic losses and bankruptcies.   The trade relief has helped level the playing field for the domestic shrimp industry.   Jones and Congressmen Jo Bonner (AL-1), Jeff Landry (LA-3) and Steven Palazzo (MS-4) argue that continuation is imperative for the economies and culture of American shrimping communities.

Your Questions Answered

In the hours and days following the State of the Union Address, President Obama and senior Administration officials will hold a series of live online events to answer your questions.

 

 How to Submit Your Question

 

Barney Frank takes on White House over fishing regs

NEW BEDFORD — Calling the U.S. Commerce Department's attitude toward the fishing industry “unacceptable,” an angry U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., is threatening to withhold cooperation with the Obama White House “on a number of important issues.”

In a scathing op-ed commentary, Frank said, “Last week, the Obama administration violated assurances that it was prepared to work constructively with the fishing industry in New England.

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CCA NC Legislative Day is February 17

CCA NC is organizing a special day for visiting our legislators in Raleigh on Thursday, February 17, 2011. Please mark your calendars and make plans to join us. Our goal is to visit every member of the General Assembly on this day.  Come to Raleigh and help us place our agenda in front of our legislators.

OUR VIEW: Protest on the Potomac

New Bedford fishermen can't back down or they'll be backing themselves right out of business. The time has come for a history-making demonstration in Washington.

We urge fishermen in New Bedford, Gloucester and up and down the East Coast to do what farmers did with their tractors in the 1970s: Bring their protest to Washington.

The few boats that went to Martha's Vineyard in August during President Barack Obama's vacation weren't enough. Fishermen might finally get the attention they deserve by steaming up the Potomac River and gathering their vessels within sight of the National Mall to demand — peacefully — that their grievances be redressed.

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WEDNESDAY: HAGAN TO HOST “CONVERSATIONS WITH KAY” IN EDENTON, CAMDEN AND MANTEO

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) Wednesday will visit three communities in northeastern North Carolina. She will host “Conversations with Kay” in Edenton, Camden and Manteo. Hagan will meet with constituents and talk with them about their concerns. Her constituent services staff will be on site to help people navigate issues with federal agencies, such as the VA, IRS or Social Security Administration.

Fishing industry may gain a friend in Obama administration

PORTLAND — President Obama's choice for a new chief of staff may bode well for New England's groundfishing industry, which some say lost jobs and revenue after a new management plan was implemented last spring.

William Daley, named Thursday by Obama, has a history of working with the fishing industry and with lawmakers.

In the late 1990s, when he was secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, parent agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Daley eased commercial scallop-fishing restrictions, said Brian Rothschild, professor of fisheries and oceanography at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth.

"(We are) dealing with someone who understands that we are responsible and have good data. He knows what we are talking about," U.S. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts said of Daley.

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Wikileaks uncovers secret whaling agreement between U.S. and Japan involving Sea Shepard

Japan's vice-minister for international affairs at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Shuji Yamada, questioned Monica Medina, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and U.S. Commissioner to the IWC as well as a former senior officer at the Pew Environment Group and NOAA General Councillor, about withdrawing Sea Shepherd's tax exemption.

”Yamada inquired about an investigation into the tax status of the U.S.-based NGO (non-governmental organization) Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and repeated Japan's request for the U.S. to take action against the organisation, which he said created a very dangerous situation on the seas,“ reads one of the documents.

”The DCM (Deputy Chief of Mission), replied that the U.S. places the highest priority on the safety of vessels and human life at sea, and added that if any violations of U.S. law are discovered, we will take appropriate enforcement action,“ it continues.

In a separate document sent a week later, it emerges that the U.S. did inquire into the SSCS's tax status, as ”she (Medina) said she believes the USG (U.S. government) can demonstrate the group does not deserve tax exempt status based on their aggressive and harmful actions.“

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Hagan, Shuler to help guide Sportsmen's Caucus

Apparently one area where there is true bipartisan leadership is the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus.

The caucus, created in 1989, works to protect the interests of hunters, anglers and trappers, and it includes nearly 300 members of Congress.

This year's caucus leadership includes two members of North Carolina's delegation, both Democrats: Sen. Kay Hagan and Rep. Heath Shuler.

Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/01/10/910105/hagan-shuler-to-help-guide-sportsmens.html#ixzz1AdfIU1fY

Hagan to meet with constituents on Wednesday in Manteo

On Wedneday, January 12, 2011, Senator Hagan will visit with constituents from 3:00-4:00 pm at the Dare Center (Marshall Collins Drive, Manteo) and will talk about the replacement of Bonner Bridge in addition to other federal issues. Constituent Services staff will be on site from 2:00-4:00 pm to assist those who need help with federal agencies.

US-Japan Discussed 'Action' Against Anti-Whalers

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese and American officials discussed taking action to weaken a prominent anti-whaling group, with Tokyo insisting that Sea Shepherd's confrontations on the high seas actually hurt efforts to reduce whaling, U.S. diplomatic cables show.

The U.S. representative to the International Whaling Commission, Monica Medina, discussed revoking the U.S.-based conservation group's tax exempt status during a meeting with senior officials from the Fisheries Agency of Japan in November 2009, according to the documents released by WikiLeaks on Monday.

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White House hires veteran environmental economist

The Obama administration has hired a seasoned environmental economist from the Environmental Defense Fund as the White House prepares to battle congressional Republicans over climate and air pollution regulations.

Nat Keohane replaced Joe Aldy on Monday as special assistant to President Barack Obama on energy and environmental issues in the White House’s National Economic Council.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/46973.html#ixzz19zy6azeB

Shark conservation bill headed to Obama

When asked whether the president would sign the legislation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials said they were still examining the smooth dogfish provision and other portions of the bill.

"We are happy that Congress has taken up shark conservation," said Eric Schwaab, NOAA Fisheries assistant administrator, in a statement. "It's a priority for our agency. However, the bill's carve-out of one specific shark fishery presents major enforcement and implementation challenges, and we need to work to fix this loophole."

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Chairman-elect Hastings announces Republican Members of House Natural Resources Committee for the 112th Congress

WASHINGTON D.C. – Natural Resources Committee Chairman-elect Doc Hastings (WA-04) today announced the Republican Members of the Natural Resources Committee for the 112th Congress.
 
“This is a very knowledgeable and talented team of Members, and includes 15 newly-elected Republicans,” said Chairman-elect Hastings. “Each of our Members will play key roles as the Natural Resources Committee begins its work in January to focus on creating jobs, growing our economy, reducing spending and increasing American energy production.”

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The Great Disappearing Acts by Merlin the Magician AKA Jane Lubchenco

The invisible government has a magician heading NOAA, Jane Lubchenco. I
will refer to her as Merlin. Merlin has made the oil in the Gulf
disappear. Science, fish, truth, accountability, jobs, and heritage have
vanished also. Now, if we eat the Gulf seafood, we too may disappear.

Merlin's magic is also strong in the Northeast commercial fishing
businesses. Her magic wand has made our fish, fishermen, science, jobs,
Magnuson Stevens Act, Constitution and Elected Officials disappear.  The
future fish consumed may look like fish taste like fish but be genetically
engineered.

Revised JLCSA Meeting Agenda

The Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, in the Soundside Hall meeting room at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, 1 Roosevelt Blvd., Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina.

 The agenda for the meeting is expected to include approval of minutes from past meetings; an update on the Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan; and reports on the Waterfront Access and Marine Industry Fund, the implementation of the Coastal Recreational Fishing License and the Marine Resources Fund and the Marine Resources Endowment Fund, and the Shellfish Rehabilitation Program.  Note that the review of and comment on the draft Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan referenced in an earlier notice has been postponed to a future meeting.  Information on the Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan may be found at:  http://www.ncfisheries.net/fmps/index.html

JLCSA Meets November 30

The Joint Legislative Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, in the Soundside Hall meeting room at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, 1 Roosevelt Blvd., Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina.

 The agenda for the meeting is expected to include reports on:

About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that preserves and restores our nation’s native wildlife species and habitats. Created by Congress in 1984, NFWF directs public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those investments with private funds. The Foundation’s method is simple and effective: we work with a full complement of individuals, foundations, government agencies, nonprofits, and corporations to identify and fund the nation’s most intractable conservation challenges.

NFWF Corporate Partners

NFWF Board of Directors

Dare County Land Use Plan Public Hearing November 15

Dare County Board of Commissioners will conduct a Public Hearing on Monday, November 15, 2010 to receive comments on the 2009 draft update of the Dare County Land Use Plan. 

The 2009 Community Vision Statement states "It is the goal of Dare County to shape the growth of the unincorporated villages in such a manner that they retain their historical character."  Draft includes objectives for six management topics: public access (including working waterfronts), land use compatibility, infrastructure carring capacity, natural hazard areas, water quality, and local areas of concern.

Find link to draft plan here