The General Assembly of 1962 deemed it advisable that a study be made of the need for additional boating facilities. Accordingly, the General Assembly adopted House Joint Resolution No. 74 directing the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to make a study and report upon the need for boating facilities and how the same might be financed.

Pursuant to this resolution the Council requested Arthur H. Richardson, member of the House of Delegates, Dinwiddie, to serve as Chairman of a Committee of the Council to make the initial study and report upon this subject. The Council selected the following to serve with Mr. Richardson upon the Committee: L. M. Ailor, Sports Editor, Richmond Times Dispatch; Fred W. Bateman, member of the Senate, Newport News; Junie L. Bradshaw, member, House of Delegates, Richmond; Edward L. Breeden, Jr., member of the Senate, Norfolk; Paul Crockett, former member of the House of Delegates, Yorktown; James W. Davis, member, House of Delegates, Agricola; Walther B. Fidler, member, House of Delegates, Sharps; Thomas R. Glass, member, House of Delegates, Lynchburg; Frank H. Harris, Jr., Petersburg; Chester F. Phelps, Executive Director, Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries, Richmond; and Miss Betty Thompson, Attorney at Law, Arlington.

The Committee organized and elected Walther B. Fidler to serve as Vice-Chairman. John B. Boatwright, Jr. and F. W. Harkrader, Jr., served as Secretary and Recording Secretary, respectively, to the Committee. Mr. Harkrader left State employment and was succeeded by Charles A. Christophersen.

The Committee found that many people were concerned over boating safety; it determined that the resolution directing the study was not broad enough to encompass a study of this matter. The Governor then requested the Council to expand the initial study to include boating safety.

Public hearings were held in Richmond, Roanoke, Fredericksburg and Fort Monroe. After hearing and considering in detail all of the evidence presented, the Committee reported to the Council. The Council has reviewed the report of the Committee, and submits its report as follows.