The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted Aug. 27 to overturn the decision of the Mathews Wetlands Board and directed issuance of a permit on the application of Mark Thompson.

Thompson sought an eight-foot wide boat ramp and associated scour protection along Milford Haven at 520 Old Ferry Road.

In overturning the decision of the local board during the meeting at commission headquarters in Newport News, the commission found there was insufficient information in the record to demonstrate detrimental impacts associated with the proposed structure, VMRC spokesman John Bull said.

Thompson spoke on his own behalf and was represented by his legal counsel, Conrad Bareford, Bull said, while Ted Broderson represented the Mathews Wetlands Board.

In other matters, the commission voted to adopt stricter guidelines on dealing with egregious or repeat violators of fishery regulations.

The guidelines call for the most egregious violators, once convicted, to be brought before the comm...