From Darryl, posted with permission:

I listened to both audio feeds from the 3/24 VMRC meeting regarding 4 pound net applications.  All four were unanimously approved by VMRC.

Items 17 thru 19 were also discussed in a brief closed meeting.  The net in item 17 will be only 50’ from the shoreline.  DCR owns the shoreline property and did not provide comment…..they were asked to comment, but did not.  Lights will be marked on the trap and it will be approx. 3/4 mile from the creek.  450+ people signed a petition on behalf of the applicant in approval of the pound net.  Approx. 14 letters/emails were not in approval.

17.  PUBLIC HEARING: William Haynie request to license and locate a pound net in Chesapeake Bay near Hughlett Point.  THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THIS POUND NET APPLICATION.
[Audio Item 17. Link to VMRC MP3 file, audio starts immediately.]

From my understanding of the audio for Items 18 & 19, at least two of the nets, (if not all three) were previously denied in the Fall of 2008.  These were originally located east of Lynnhaven Inlet, but now have been changed to west of the inlet. 

A total of 45 emails/letters were submitted in opposition of items 18 & 19, with 7 in favor.  Delegate Bouchard also sent a letter in opposition.  The Aquarium was opposed due to the nets endangering dolphins and sea turtles.  The Aquarium mentioned if the nets were allowed, they should be fitted with modified leaders to minimize dolphins and turtles from being tangled in the gear.  VMRC said they would wait for the federal government to decide if the nets should be fitted with the modified leaders.  If the fed did not, then they may force them to.  However, VMRC said it would be an all or nothing deal.  Either all the nets along the bay in VA would have the modified leaders, or none of them would….not just these three.  The nets were originally 500 feet from shore, but now have been moved to 1,500 feet from shore.  According to the attached map, it shows the nets starting 500 yards from shore.

A few speakers were in support of the nets, with several others against.  Those organizations speaking against the nets were the Aquarium, OPCL, Chesapeake Beach Civic League and SDCC.

18.  PUBLIC HEARING: Dirk Sanford request to license and locate two pound nets in Chesapeake Bay near the Bay Bridge-Tunnel and Lynnhaven Inlet.  THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE APPLICATION FOR TWO POUND NETS.
[Audio Item 18 & 19. Link to VMRC MP3 file, audio starts immediately.]

19.  PUBLIC HEARING: Charles Gregory request to license and locate a pound net in Chesapeake Bay near the Bay Bridge-Tunnel and Lynnhaven Inlet.  THE COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THIS POUND NET APPLICATION.
Darryl

Drawing of location of new pound nets. [added 4.1.09]