The Commission helps the legislatures of Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania evaluate and respond to problems relating to the Chesapeake Bay. The Commission also encourages coordinated resource planning and action among the executive agencies of the three member states and serves as liaison to the U.S. Congress.
Twenty-one members (seven from each signatory state) belong to the Commission. Five from each state are state legislators whose terms coincide with those of their office. Of the Maryland legislative members, two are senators named by the Senate President and three are delegates chosen by the Speaker of the House of Delegates. The Governor or designee serves as a member. Another member, who is neither a legislator nor a member of the Executive branch, is selected jointly by the Senate President and the House Speaker. Nonlegislative members serve no longer than four years unless reappointed. Selected by the members, the chair and vice-chair alternate annually among the delegations from the three states. Each state contributes equally to the annual budget, $160,000 for Fiscal Year 2001 (Code Natural Resources Article, secs. 8-302 through 8-304).
Committee members include the secretary of natural resources from each state, legislators, watermen, conservationists, fisheries managers, crab processors, and recreational crabbers.
BI-STATE BLUE CRAB ADVISORY COMMITTEE
In 1996, the Bi-State Blue Crab Advisory Committee was created by the Chesapeake Bay Commission to examine the condition of the Bay's blue crab population. The Committee devises ways by which Maryland and Virginia jointly can better manage and sustain the fishery.
TECHNICAL WORK GROUP
To ensure access to scientific and technical expertise in developing blue crab management plans, the Committee set up its own Technical Work Group. Composed of scientists, ecologists, and economists, the Work Group advises both the Bi-State Blue Crab Advisory Committee and the Chesapeake Bay Commission. The Committee provides answers to technical questions and pursues specific scientific research to assist the Committee's work.Interstate Agencies
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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us