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1996 SESSION

960003364
HOUSE BILL NO. 695
Offered January 22, 1996
A BILL to amend and reenact § 28.2-507 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the closing of public oyster rocks.
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Patron-- Morgan
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Referred to Committee on Chesapeake and Its Tributaries
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 28.2-507 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 28.2-507. Opening and closing public rocks.

The Commission, in order to protect or promote the growth of oysters, may (i) close and open any area or restrict the manner or method of taking oysters in any area of the public rocks, grounds, or shoals, (ii) establish seed beds and plant shells and other culch, or (iii) take any other restorative measures. Areas may be closed for an entire season, part of a season, or for so many days per week. Before closing any such area, an officer shall post notice of the closing for at least five days in two or more public places in the district in which the area is located. In such event, the area shall be marked by a uniform system of buoys or signs indicating that such area is closed and that oystering by any means is prohibited. Any area closed under the provisions of this section may be reopened at any time by the Commission, but any area which has been closed and reopened at a later time may be closed by the Commission or Commissioner at any time without notice.