~ July 2010 ~

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Greetings from Norfolk!  I hope you’re all enjoying your summer, and staying cool.  I have been able to make it to a number of gatherings around the district recently, including the Gwynn’s Island Festival in Mathews, and it has been great seeing and talking with all of you.  As always, I will try to make it out to as many events as my schedule allows, so please let me know if you have anything coming up.

Last General Assembly session in Richmond, I introduced legislation that would have moved management responsibility for menhaden, a filter feeding fish that is a keystone species in the Chesapeake Bay, to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC).  Menhaden is the only marine species currently managed by the General Assembly, rather than VMRC, and it seemed like common sense to me to have VMRC manage this species, as well.  However, my bill ran into stiff opposition, and it was apparent that other members of the General Assembly felt it was best to maintain the status quo. 

Last month, in the interest of good government, I announced the formation of a working group to study and discuss the issue of menhaden management. The group, which will include a balanced group of legislators and stakeholders, will hold three public meetings between July and November, and will hear presentations from resource users, management agencies, and environmental scientists.  I believe these meetings will help educate legislators and the public about this important fishery, and hopefully give us the knowledge necessary to manage it responsibly.

If you have any questions or concerns about anything going on in the 6^th District, please do not hesitate to contact my office.  I trust all of you had a happy and safe Independence Day, and hope to see you around soon.

Ralph S. Northam               Senator, Virginia's 6th District