VSWFT Funding Restored In Senate Finance SubCommitte

[Rob Holtz]

VSWFT looks to be on it's way to having it's funding restored altough this isn't the last hurdle that needs to be cleared. This is a snipet of the text. The entire document can be found at

http://lis.virginia.gov/121/bud/SubCom/SFCecon.PDF

Report of the Subcommittee on Economic Development and Natural Resources
Senate Finance Committee
Virginia General Assembly
February 19, 2012

"In addition, we recommend funding to restore proposed cuts to
Soil and Water Conservation Districts, State Parks, and the Virginia
Land Conservation Fund. We are also providing funding for the
Marine Resources Commission to restore the Saltwater Sport Fishing
Tournament, to enhance oyster restoration efforts, and to continue
the marine debris removal program."

[Healthy Grin]

Thanks Rob.

[bullisland]

Very Glad to hear that. My father, brother and I are doing a little oyster restoration of our own. We have 168 acres of oyster ground in back river. We are going to start planting shells and other rubble for oysters to strike to. We will also be attempting oyster farming to sell oysters. Our plan to sell the raised oysters along with producing oyster reefs in our ground. Thanks for posting the Senate's decision on the VSWFT funding.

Shayne

[jerryaycock]

Thanks Rob.. Great News

[Al B]

Excellent!!!

[N4ZNH]

Nice to hear. Thanks Rob.............

[classicrockfish]

Great post Rob. Thank you for sharing this

[Fishman]

Thanks Rob. Is the tagging program be affect?

[Rob Holtz]

Now for the bad news. There was a companion budget amendment introduced on the house side to restore the VSWFT funding. This budget amendment was sent to the house version of the Subcommittee on Economic Development and Natural Resources and wasn't approved for funding. This doesn't mean the budget amendment is dead but it will have a little tougher battle now that both sides haven't approved the funding.

No, the tagging program will not end if the tournament is ended. Plans have already been put in the works to have VIMS take over the data entry if needed.