Department of Wildlife Resources Scoping Period Open for Fishing and Boating Regulations

According to a press release, the scoping period is open for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources fishing, aquatic wildlife management and boating regulations.  The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is beginning its biennial process for changing the regulations guiding recreational fishing, aquatic wildlife management, and boating.  New regulations will go into effect January 1st, 2023.

Regulation changes have biological, sociological, administrative, and economic implications. The Department must assess these impacts in order to make the best possible decision about regulation changes. To help the Department more thoroughly understand and assess your regulation change, please provide your thoughts on how your recommendation could impact fish populations, your recreational experience, the recreational experience of anglers, the recreational experience of other outdoor users (hikers, campers, etc.), and the recreational experience and perceptions of farmers, residents, motorists, and other citizens.

This process offers the opportunity for citizens to suggest potential regulatory changes directly to the Department of Wildlife Resources during the scoping period, which is now open and runs through February 19th, 2022.

All items submitted will be reviewed by Department of Wildlife Resources staff, summarized and presented to DWR’s Wildlife and Boat Committee on March 23rd and the full Board on March 24th. These presentations will occur at the DWR headquarters (7870 Villa Park Drive, Henrico, Virginia).

Items can be submitted to DWR online at: https://dwr.virginia.gov/regulations

Or via mail at:

Department of Wildlife Resources
Attn: Fisheries Division – Scoping
P.O. Box 90778

Henrico, VA 23228-0778