Evening star., 1948-01-02
Bi-Stafe Board Urged
On Governors as Way
To End Oyster War
Bv James BirchfieId

~ uu VySiH W0
By james BirehfieId
The Governors of Virginia anc
Maryland had before them today
a proposal to end the "undeclareo
oyster war" that has f1ared up be-
tween the two States at intervals
since Colonial days.
In an 8,000-word report to Cows
Lane of Maryland and Tuck of Vir-
ginia, made public yesterday, the
Chesapeake-Potomac Study Com
mission recommended that seven
member joint authority to be known
as the Maryland-Virginia Chesa-
peake Authority be created by the
two States with full jurisdiction anc
authority over fine fishing and crab.
bing in the bay and tributaries ano
in oyster production in the Potomac
River.
The commission, composed OF
three members, from Virginia anc
three from Maryland, was author
lied last year by the Legislatures OF
both States to study revisions OF
the compact of 1785 that would
settle differences arising over the
enforcement of fishery regulations In
the bay and the Potomac River.
Compact Change Favored.
The early compact, signed by
Virginia and Maryland before the
Federal Constitution was adopted
gave Virginians privileges OF fish
ing in the Potomac River, and
Marylanders the right of free pass
age of ships through the Virginia
Capes to the Atlantic Ocean. The
Maryland line extends to the high
water mark on the Virginia shores
Of the Potomac.
The commission recommended
that the bi-State authority be
created either by addition or amend
ment of the 1785 compact. The au-
thority would have broad powers
over fin fishing and grabbing in
the Chesapeake Bay and all OF Its
tributaries in Maryland and Vir-
ginia, with authority to rehabiiitate
fin fish and crab populations in
those, areas.
Assembly to Get Plan.
The recommendations will be
presented to the Virginia General
Assembly, which .conYanes this
month at Richmond. officials OF
the Maryland Tidewater Fisheries
Commission said Gov, Lane may
call a special session of the Mary
land Legislature if the Virginia
Assembly authorizes the joint au-
thority. The Legislatures of the
two States meet in alternate years
1--WE wish to emphasize" the COM
mission stated, that joint control OF
the bay fisheries is essential If we
are to rehabilitate our fisheries and
maintain them at high level OF
sustained production.
Practically every major species
migrates across the State bounda-
ries at least once or twice yearly.
Both States have a responsibility
to it's own citizens and to the citi-
zens of its neighboring State to pro-
vide adequate protection to fish
stocks when they are within its
State boundaries.
Must Guard Species.
"The commission does not wish
for any one to have the impression
that it wants to destroy CONNER.
cial fishing. It believes that the
excess of every species should bt
removed for food and recreation
but that in every case adequate
provisions should be made for per.
petuation of the species at highest
levels"
In its recommendations for tht
control of the Potomac River, the
commission said the law prohibit.
ing dredging in the river should
not be changed at this time. II
added, however, that the joint au-
thority should have powers to regu-
late gears used in removing oysters
from the river so that dredging may
be permitted in the future when
the oyster bars are rehabilitated.
Advising strengthening of the
S04l laws. GllC lCCOl1l-
mended that the present per cent
Gull law on oysters from natura,
rocks in the Potomac apply to all
oysters produced either from private
or public beds in the Potomac and
all of its tributaries.
The commission also recommend
ed that the oyster season in the
Potomac begin October Is, month
later than at present. The author
ity would have the power to shorter
or lengthen the season in the future
In addition to the regulatory
powers recommended for the join
authority, the commission also rec.
commended that a complete program
of fishery research be launched st
that the authority administrator.
will have the facts on which to bast
their actions.
Maryland and Virginia have
failed to cooperate on Potomac
River matters" the commission said
partly because management ha:
been attempted by the legislative
bodies of the two States which meet
In alternate years, and are not
therefore, in a position to consult
on mutual problems.
The commission suggested thai
programs set up by the joint author
ity be financed by appropriations by
each State, the appropriations te
begin as soon as the authority Is
authorized. Costs of planting ano
policing oyster beds, it was said
might be charged against the indus.
try until oysters are harvested.
The commission suggested that
three of the seven authority mem
bers be appointed by the Governor
Of Maryland, one of whom would be
the chairman of the Tidewater Fish
cries Commission; three would be
named by the Governor of Virginia
one of whom would be the State
Fisheries Commissioner, and the
seventh member would be appointed
jointly by the Governors of the tive
States.