An application for 700 floating oyster cages and accompanying 1,400 floats in Milford Haven once found itself hotly contested at a Virginia Marine Resources Commission hearing, as after nearly seven hours of discussion and protest from 66 residents on Tuesday, the VMRC moved unanimously to approve the project.
Three members of the commission were not in attendance; however, there was still a quorum and the commissioners were able to proceed. 
This was a special hearing, as VMRC allowed each side opening remarks, cross examination, calling of witnesses, and closing remarks, so the proceedings played out more like a courtroom drama than the review of an application.
The primary applicant, Susan Wade, along with business partner Ben Woodard, filed the application under the name Damfino LLC. A nearly identical application was submitted by her late husband, Kevin Wade; however, it was deemed by VMRC that his approved application did not transfer.
The matter was previously addressed in ...