RICHMOND (AP) -- Virginia officials say they're hoping to find out soon whether the federal government will declare the Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery a disaster.

Virginia and Maryland asked U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez for the declaration at the start of May.

Virginia Congressman Robert Wittman says an answer could come shortly. The Republican has outlined his support for the declaration in a letter to Gutierrez.

Even if Gutierrez issues the declaration, it's uncertain whether the commercial crab fishery will receive federal financial help. Wittman aide Brent Robinson says the fate of $20 million that a Senate subcommittee budgeted for the blue crab disaster is uncertain because all appropriations bills are up in the air.

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