Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-17
OYSTER SURVEY BILL
THE MEASURE PROVIDING FOR THE
MAPPING OF ROCKS, BEDS, &C.
Dutiss Of the Fish Commissicnsr-Hsn-
sgsmeut Of the Fund-Power
Of the Courts.

The Fish Commissioner. Dr.. wilkins,
will visit Washington the first OF tue
week IN order to make arrangements
for CARRYING out the provisions OF
the oyster survey bill as soon Is pos
sible. This measure--the anciiiary OF
the general oyster law passed by the last
Legislature. and published in full IN tue
DrspArcH-derives renewed interest rom
the fact above stated. and is therefore
given this morning.
An ACT TO PRorEcT THE OYSTER MpusIBf'
BE Il enacted by the General Assembly ~ V,r-
ginid. That the Board on the Chesspeake
and its Tributaries shall. as soon as posi-
pie after the passage of this act, cause 10
be made true and accurate survey OF tne
natural OYSTER beds, rocks. and snoais OF
the Commonwealth-said survey 10 DC
made with reference to fixed and perma-
nent objects on the shore, glvlng
courses and distances, to be aeserloea
hereinafter required. And true and accu-
rate deineation of tho same shall be made
of copies of the published maps and charts
of the United States Coast and Geodeuc
Survey, which said copies shall be hied IN
the archives of this State. in the Capitoi az
Richmond. And the said board snail
further cause to be delineated, on a copy
of the published maps and charts OF tue
United States Coast and Geodetic survey,
of the largest scale. for each OF tne
counties of the Commonwealth IN
the waters Of which there are nstuIai
oyster. beds, rocks. or shoals, all the natu-
raj rocks, beds, OF shoals lying within the
waters of each of said counties. which
said maps shall be filed III the clerk
office of the county court OF the county
wherein may be the gyounds so deiineateu.
For example, the map delineatlng tne
grounds living in the waters of the county
of Accomac TO be fled i'll the clerks ONCE
of the County Cour. OF Accomac ana 80
on.
DUTY OF TIE FISH COMMISSIONER.
And the said Board on the Chesapeake
aud It's Tributaries, IN order TO carry nv
execution this law, shall direct tne lou
Commissioner, who is hereby appointed u
she'll Ssh commissioner, whose duty 1t
shall be TO direct and control the survey
herein provided for Said commlssiooner
shall cause TO be marked and defined, as
accurately az is practicable. the limits ana
| boundaries Of the natural oyster-rocks,
beds. and shoals as established
| by said survey: and he shall take
true and accurate notes of said survey Ia
writing. and make up such an accurate
report Of said survey, setting forth q ue-
scription of the lines. with courses anu us
tances. and description OF the Landmarks
as NAV he necessary TO enable the oyster
| inspector TO find and ascertain the ooun-
| dary lines and limits of said natural oyster
rocks. beds, and shoals. as shown by tue
| delineation on the maps and charts pro-
| yided for in section l OF this act. Saiu re,
| port shall be completed and transmitted
| TO the Board on the Chesapeake ana us
| Tributaries within three months after the
completion of the said survey.
PROVISION FOR PUBLICATION
The said board shall cause the same to
be published in pamphlet form and trans
nit copies of the same to the clerk Oh tne
county court of the counties where the
charts have been filed or directed TO De
filed. as hereinbefore provided Tor, the
said report to be filed by the clerks OF the
said several counties. And the said sur,
yey and report when so filed shall be. and
be construed to be, in all the courts OF the
| Commonwealth, as conclusive evidence
| of the boundaries and limits or the
natural oyster-beds, rocks. and shoals
WING within the waters of the counties
wherein such survey aud report are MED ;
provided if any natural rock. bed. or shoal
Is left out in these surveys they snail NOT
be used for planting grounds, but shaIi 90
subject TO the general oyster law OF the
| State. All the work appertaining to and
necessary to the completion of said sur
yey shall be under the control and done
| under the direction of the Board on the
| Chesapeake and ITS Tributaries, which SAFE
| board IS hereby empowered 10 requH'
the shell-fish commissioner hereinoefor'
| named. to do all things necessary TO tn'
successful prosecution and complexion o
the said survey.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND.
The said Board on the Chesapeake ant
ire Tributaries shall have the control anS
management OF any fund which may D.
anpropriated TO carry into execution
this law. and the said board shall turi
over to the shell-fsh commissioner. 10 d
appointed under this act. at such Tune
and in such amounts as they may deen
necessary and proper, any portion o
| such Appropriation, and SAID sheli-nsi
commissioners shall disburse the same IN de
fraving the proper and actual expenses
executing this law, and he shall make
true and detailed report OF his disburse
ments to the SAID board. But before. salt
| commissioner shall perform any OF tn
duties hereby imposed upon hun or receive
anv money under this act, he shall execute
bond in the penalty of $4,000, payable U
| the COmnOuHt VI
ed tor the faithful performance OF al
duties.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
The county court Of the counties in tn
waters of which there are any natural oys
ter beds, rocks, or shoals, shall, IN tern
time or vacation, appoint three commis
sioners for each of said counties respec
lively. These three commissioners sinai
act with the shell-fsh commissioner II
their respective counties. These thre
commissioners shall determine the ques
ton of what bottoms are natural oyster
beds. rocks, or shoals. and the lines de
finine these limits shall be run DIV tn
shell-fish commissioner and the enginee
as they direct. These commissioners nai
receive for their services the sum OF
per day while actually SO employed. :,
Said shell-hsh commissioner snali o
paid the sum OF $3.50 per month Tor TN
time he is actually engaged IN the e4ecu
tion of the work as hereinbetore set forth
provided. said work shall not consume
longer period than twelve months Oh &c
tual work from Its beginning. And wnel
the survey and report herelnbefore men
toned in this act have been completed IN
duties and the salary of the said sheil-ns
commissioner shall cease and determine.
The Board on the Chesapeake and 1t
Tributaries shall avail themselves In exc
cutinp this law of the assistance tendere,
bv the United States Coast and Geodeti
Survey.