Read the accompanying letter from NOAA to DEQ. From the letter:
We request your review of the subject regulatory action, with regard to its applicability to the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP). We have preliminarily determined that the subject proposed rule is consistent with the enforceable policies of the Virginia CZMP, and request your concurrence.
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) adopted Amendment 22 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) at its December 2021, meeting and the Council submitted Amendment 22 to us on May 1, 2022, for review and approval. Details of this action, including a draft environmental assessment (Draft EA), can be found at https://www.mafmc.org/s/Draft_EA_SFSBSB_com_rec_allocation.pdf. We intend to publish a rule proposing regulations to implement Amendment 22 in the Federal Register in early summer 2022.
If approved, Amendment 22 would establish updated commercial and recreational sector allocations for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. This action would also add the option for future modifications to the commercial/recreational allocation and transfer provisions to be considered through an FMP framework action, as opposed to an amendment.