Senate Joint Resolution 62 (Attachment 1) recommended by the Coastal Study Commission and adopted during the 1978 session of the General Assembly addresses the issues of public dissatisfaction with the process of obtaining permits to conduct activities in tidal waters and adjacent wetlands and concern over the proliferation of shoreline structures. Resulting from the 1977 legislative review, of the Coastal Resources Management Program, SJR 62 requested the continuation of efforts to improve the operation of shoreline permit programs. It also called for further investigation into differences between State and federal permit programs, a review of current exemptions under Title 62.1 of the Code of Virginia (Waters of the State) as they relate to the proliferation of structures on State-owned bottoms and, finally, a study of the feasibi1ity of allowing local governments to administer the State permit program for activities on subaqueous lands.

This report is presented to the Governor and General Assembly in accordance with the request contained in the resolution.