Among Virginia's primary resources are the natural harbors situated within her jurisdiction. The realization of the value of these harbors and the need of a unified administrative organization to coordinate port activities throughout the Commonwealth, if their full potential is to be developed, prompted the General Assembly in 1970 to enact legislation creating the Virginia Port Authority. By 1971, however, it had become apparent that in addition to the existence of- an organizational structure a long-range plan for financing a viable unified system of ports was needed. To this end in its 1971 special session the General Assembly approved House Joint Resolution No. 37.

Pursuant to the terms of this study directive, the Governor appointed to serve on the Commission George C. Garris, Norfolk; R. Pierce Lumpkin, Richmond; Walter H. Steel, Kilmarnock; and Erwin H. Will, Richmond. The President of the Senate appointed Senators Edward L. Breeden, Jr., Norfolk, and Edward E. Willey, Richmond. The Speaker of the House of Delegates appointed Delegates Richard M. Bagley, Hampton; Walter B. Martin, Jr., Norfolk; and George P. Shafran, Arlington. Mr. Martin was elected by the members to serve as Chairman of the Commission and Dr. Lumpkin as Vice-Chairman.

The Virginia Advisory Legislative Council and the Division of Statutory Research and Drafting made staff and facilities available to carry out this study, assigning Laurens Sartoris to assist the members. Jo-Ann S. Fitzgerald served as recording secretary.