Authority: Title 28.2, Chapters 1 through 10; Title 62.1, Chapters 18 and 20; Title 29.1, Chapter 7; Title 18.2, Chapters 1 and 5; Title 19.2, Chapters 2, 5 and 7; Title 32.1, Chapter 6; Title 33.1, Chapter 1; and § 58.1-2146, Code of Virginia.

A. The appropriation includes annual membership dues to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, $19,250$23,000 the first year and $19,250 $23,000 the second year from the general fund.

B. This appropriation includes annual membership dues to the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, $165,558 the first year and $165,558 the second year from the general fund.

C. Out of the amounts for Marine Life Regulation Enforcement shall be paid into the Marine Patrols Fund, $110,784 the first year and $110,784 the second year, pursuant to § 28.2-108, Code of Virginia. For this purpose, cash shall be transferred from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund.

D. Pursuant to § 58.1-2146, Code of Virginia, $140,877 the first year and $140,877 the second year shall be transferred to Artificial Reef Construction from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund from unrefunded motor fuel taxes for boats.

E. Pursuant to § 28.2-1210, Code of Virginia, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year from the general fund shall be allocated for projects to remove abandoned vessels, deteriorated structures and waterway obstructions posing a hazard to recreational boating and the natural environment in the Elizabeth River. Any unexpended general fund balances remaining on June 30, 1998, and June 30, 1999, shall be reappropriated.

F.1. The Commission shall report to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees by November 4, 1998, concerning the status of efforts to improve the habitat and increase the numbers of oysters in the Commonwealth's waters. The report shall include cost information as well as data collected and analysis conducted for the resource's fishery management plan.

2. Any unexpended general fund balances designated by the agency for oyster repletion activities remaining in the Marine Life Management Program on June 30, 1998, and June 30, 1999, and June 30, 2000, shall be reappropriated.

3. The amounts for Oyster Propagation and Habitat Improvement include $50,000 the second year from the general fund for the Commission to develop a matching fund grant program for private industry efforts to restore oyster reefs in areas close to the Commission's reef-building efforts.

G. This Item includes $150,000 the second year from the general fund to research and assess the blue crab stock in the Chesapeake Bay and to determine replenishment targets. These funds shall be matched by the state of Maryland.