by Jackie Nunnery
HEATHSVILLEâJust as Northumberlandâs planning commission on January 21 was putting the finishing touches on a conceptual plan for a new canoe and kayak launch, a new law which took effect January 1 could put a damper on plans to bring people to the countyâs rivers.
House Bill 1604, introduced by Del. Hyland âBuddyâ Fowler, a Republican from Ashland, passed the House and Senate with little opposition or fanfare early last year. Del. Margaret Ransone and Sen. Ryan McDougle both supported the bill.
The new law requires those using any Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources owned or managed facility, including boat ramps, to be permitted. The permit can be a valid hunting, trapping, or fishing license; a valid Virginia boater registration, a current Restore the Wild membership; or a daily/annual access permit. Passengers with a permitted boat operator or those under the age of 17 do not require a permit.
Smith Mountain dredge prohibited between February 15 and June 15 January 27, 2021, by Eldin Ganic
The four-month ban on dredging within the Smith Mountain Project lake boundaries begins next month, the Smith Mountain Project informs.
The ban – which runs from February 15 to June 15 – helps protect the fish habitat during spawning season.
Property owners and contractors attempting to dredge within the lakes’ boundaries have until the end of January to contact Appalachian Power or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
“If contact is not made prior to the end of the month, property owners should plan to dredge after June 15,” according to the official statement.
Va. Dept. of Wildlife Resources: Two charged in poaching case Officials say two warrants have been issued regarding a poaching case just north of Harrisonburg. (Source: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources) By WHSV | January 25, 2021 at 4:41 PM EST - Updated January 25 at 5:11 PM
ROCKINGHAM, Va. (WHSV) Officials say two warrants have been issued regarding a poaching case just north of Harrisonburg.
According to a Facebook post from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, a private property owner alerted authorities between September 2020 and January 2021 of several suspects trespassing and poaching multiple antlered deer at night from the property.
The suspects allegedly cut antlers off the deer and carried them out in backpacks.
Initially thought to be an eagle's nest, it was actually made by osprey. “And those can be removed,” said Bryan Watts, director of the College of William & Mary’s Center for Conservation Biology.