Here is the latest affront to recreational anglers........

The Army Corps of Engineers has put off limits all the area within 500 yards of Quantico MCB Airfield, to include Chopawamsic Bay and Creek. This was done without official notification of either the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries who control Chopawamsic Creek, or the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, who control the main stem of the Potomac River.

Commercial fishermen will be allowed to fish the area after applying for permission from the base commander.

After mentioning this closure to a biologist with VDGIF on Saturday, I found that they knew nothing about it, even though the bed of Chopawamsic Creek is state owned property. This whole closure is now being protested by both Maryland and Virginia officials.

Meantime, the closure goes into effect on March 7, 2011 with 24/7 Marine Corp patrols throughout the affected area.

http://www2.insidenova.com/news/2011/feb/06/corps-engineers-restrict-boating-near-quantico-ar-824685/

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-02-04/html/2011-2478.htm

NHBA Charlie........

Well that sucks.  I fish Chopawamsic pretty often and occasionally launch out of the ramp in there.  Hopefully the protest will succeed in getting the closure repealed or adjusted in some way.  Keep us updated

Is there any place we can go to follow the progress of the protest? Maybe there is a petition that we could sign?

Here is the off limits area:

VABASSER:

You can still launch at the ramp in the creek, but you cannot turn right from the ramp. You are restricted to the creek, adjacent to the southern shoreline.

NHBA Charlie.......

There is no formal place for updates.  I am on a list that comes from VDGIF.  As I get updates, I will post them.

NHBA Charlie......

thanks for the info

Interesting bit of information.  I work on Quantico and this is the first I've heard of this.

>

I found this on another site.

Department of the Army, Corps of

Engineers

33 CFR Part 334

Restricted Area, Potomac River,

Marine Corps Base Quantico,

Quantico, VA

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

DoD.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is amending its regulations to establish a restricted area in the waters of the Potomac River extending offshore from the Marine Corps Air Facility (MCAF) at Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCB Quantico), located in Quantico, Virginia. The restricted area will address current security needs at MCB Quantico, including the protection of military assets at MCAF which includes the Presidential Helicopter Squadron (HMX1). The restricted area will also protect public health by preventing vessels from disturbing a planned environmental remediation area that is located to the northeast of MCAF.

DATES: Effective date: March 7, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Headquarters, U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers, Operations and

Regulatory Community of Practice, 441

G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20314

1000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Olson, Headquarters, Operations and Regulatory Community of Practice, Washington, DC at 2027614922 or by e-mail at david.b.olson@usace.army.mil or Mr. Steve Elinsky, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, Regulatory Branch, at 4109624503 or by e-mail at steve.elinsky@usace.army.mil.