{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/10.1-104.6_1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/10.1-104.6_1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/10.1-104.6_1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/10.1-104.6_1.html"}],"law_id":61044,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61044,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.6:1","catch_line":"ConserveVirginia program established","history":"2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 99; 2024, c. 753.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department shall develop a program for the creation, maintenance, operation, and regular updating of a data-driven Geographical Information Systems model to prioritize potential conservation areas across the Commonwealth that would provide quantifiable benefits to the citizens of Virginia. Such program shall be known as ConserveVirginia. The model shall synthesize multiple mapped data inputs, divided into categories, each representing a different overarching conservation value, including (i) agriculture and forestry, (ii) natural habitat and ecosystem diversity, (iii) floodplains and flooding resilience, (iv) cultural and historic preservation, (v) scenic preservation, (vi) protected landscapes resilience, and (vii) water quality improvement.B\n\nThe Department shall consult regularly with the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, the Department of Forestry, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Historic Resources, the Department of Wildlife Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Marine Resources Commission, and any other state or federal agency or private organization deemed appropriate to provide data or information to update methodologies, map layers, and emerging conservation priorities.C\n\nThe Department shall review and revise the methodology used to develop and prioritize each conservation value identified in subsection A. The Department shall conduct such review and revision process no less than once every two years, and such process shall include public hearings and solicitation of public comment. The Department shall continue to develop ways to incorporate and encourage environmental justice, as defined in § 2.2-234, into all existing and future conservation values. The Department shall not utilize any methodology or conservation value to limit a landowner’s decision on implementing any aspect of an approved forest management plan or any appropriate best management practice to achieve water quality improvements.D\n\nThe Department shall provide access to the ConserveVirginia model to the public and all state and federal agencies that benefit by using ConserveVirginia to determine conservation priorities.E\n\nThe Department shall incorporate ConserveVirginia into acquisition or grant decisions when appropriate.F\n\nThe Department shall utilize information provided by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Forestry when creating the Agriculture and Forestry map layers of ConserveVirginia. Such information shall include, as appropriate, new data sources that better reflect the economic viability of working farms and forests. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Forestry shall engage agriculture and forestry stakeholders to improve and refine the ConserveVirginia model to accurately reflect the conservation value of agricultural and forestal land in the Commonwealth. Such information shall inform whether the ConserveVirginia conservation values related to agriculture and forestry have been achieved.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":223212,"text":"The Department shall develop a program for the creation, maintenance, operation, and regular updating of a data-driven Geographical Information Systems model to prioritize potential conservation areas across the Commonwealth that would provide quantifiable benefits to the citizens of Virginia. Such program shall be known as ConserveVirginia. The model shall synthesize multiple mapped data inputs, divided into categories, each representing a different overarching conservation value, including (i) agriculture and forestry, (ii) natural habitat and ecosystem diversity, (iii) floodplains and flooding resilience, (iv) cultural and historic preservation, (v) scenic preservation, (vi) protected landscapes resilience, and (vii) water quality improvement.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":223213,"text":"The Department shall consult regularly with the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, the Department of Forestry, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Historic Resources, the Department of Wildlife Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Marine Resources Commission, and any other state or federal agency or private organization deemed appropriate to provide data or information to update methodologies, map layers, and emerging conservation priorities.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":223214,"text":"The Department shall review and revise the methodology used to develop and prioritize each conservation value identified in subsection A. The Department shall conduct such review and revision process no less than once every two years, and such process shall include public hearings and solicitation of public comment. The Department shall continue to develop ways to incorporate and encourage environmental justice, as defined in § 2.2-234, into all existing and future conservation values. The Department shall not utilize any methodology or conservation value to limit a landowner’s decision on implementing any aspect of an approved forest management plan or any appropriate best management practice to achieve water quality improvements.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":223215,"text":"The Department shall provide access to the ConserveVirginia model to the public and all state and federal agencies that benefit by using ConserveVirginia to determine conservation priorities.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":223216,"text":"The Department shall incorporate ConserveVirginia into acquisition or grant decisions when appropriate.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":223217,"text":"The Department shall utilize information provided by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Forestry when creating the Agriculture and Forestry map layers of ConserveVirginia. Such information shall include, as appropriate, new data sources that better reflect the economic viability of working farms and forests. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Forestry shall engage agriculture and forestry stakeholders to improve and refine the ConserveVirginia model to accurately reflect the conservation value of agricultural and forestal land in the Commonwealth. Such information shall inform whether the ConserveVirginia conservation values related to agriculture and forestry have been achieved.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15449,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Conservation and Recreation","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13383,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:55:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:55:07","permalink":{"id":143319,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15449,"identifier":"1","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1","url":"\/10.1\/I\/1\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13383,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12893,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:45","permalink":{"id":143317,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13383,"identifier":"1","token":"10.1\/I\/1","url":"\/10.1\/I\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12893,"edition_id":1,"name":"Activities Administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12740,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":143315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12893,"identifier":"I","token":"10.1\/I","url":"\/10.1\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12740,"edition_id":1,"name":"Conservation","identifier":"10.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":143313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12740,"identifier":"10.1","token":"10.1","url":"\/10.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":80913,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-100","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/10.1-100\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-100","metadata":false},{"id":58849,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-101","catch_line":"Department continued; appointment of Director","url":"\/10.1-101\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-101","metadata":false},{"id":58860,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-102","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Director","url":"\/10.1-102\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-102","metadata":false},{"id":83293,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-103","catch_line":"Organization of the Department","url":"\/10.1-103\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-103","metadata":false},{"id":59850,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104","catch_line":"Powers of the Department","url":"\/10.1-104\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104","metadata":false},{"id":83147,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.01","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/10.1-104.01\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.01","metadata":false},{"id":82104,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.02","catch_line":"Policies for consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth","url":"\/10.1-104.02\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.02","metadata":false},{"id":73665,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.1","catch_line":"Department to assist in the nonpoint source pollution management program","url":"\/10.1-104.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.1","metadata":false},{"id":64547,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.2","catch_line":"Voluntary nutrient management training and certification program","url":"\/10.1-104.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.2","metadata":false},{"id":63863,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.2:1","catch_line":"Nitrogen application rates; regulations","url":"\/10.1-104.2_1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":86918,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.3","catch_line":"Clean Water Farm Award Program","url":"\/10.1-104.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.3","metadata":false},{"id":75706,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.4","catch_line":"Nutrient management plans required for state lands; review of plans","url":"\/10.1-104.4\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.4","metadata":false},{"id":80035,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.5","catch_line":"Nutrient management plans required for golf courses; penalty","url":"\/10.1-104.5\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.5","metadata":false},{"id":63499,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.6","catch_line":"Supplemental environmental projects","url":"\/10.1-104.6\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.6","metadata":false},{"id":61044,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.6:1","catch_line":"ConserveVirginia program established","url":"\/10.1-104.6_1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.6_1","metadata":false},{"id":63217,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.6:2","catch_line":"Invasive plant species","url":"\/10.1-104.6_2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.6_2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":63499,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.6","catch_line":"Supplemental environmental projects","url":"\/10.1-104.6\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.6","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":63217,"structure_id":15449,"section_number":"10.1-104.6:2","catch_line":"Invasive plant species","url":"\/10.1-104.6_2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.6_2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-104.6:1\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2024, chapter 753<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77430,"section_number":"10.1-1018.1","catch_line":"Reporting","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1018.1\/"},{"id":79249,"section_number":"10.1-2202.5","catch_line":"Virginia Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Historic Preservation Fund; established","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-2202.5\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":66327,"section_number":"2.2-234","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-234\/"}],"permalink":{"id":143377,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61044,"identifier":"10.1-104.6:1","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.6_1","url":"\/10.1-104.6_1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-104.6_1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/1\/1\/10.1-104.6_1","dublin_core":{"Title":"ConserveVirginia program established","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-104.6:1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall develop a program for the creation, maintenance, operation, and regular updating of a data-driven Geographical Information Systems model to prioritize potential conservation areas across the Commonwealth that would provide quantifiable benefits to the citizens of Virginia. Such program shall be known as ConserveVirginia. The model shall synthesize multiple mapped data inputs, divided into categories, each representing a different overarching conservation value, including (i) agriculture and forestry, (ii) natural habitat and ecosystem diversity, (iii) floodplains and flooding resilience, (iv) cultural and historic preservation, (v) scenic preservation, (vi) protected landscapes resilience, and (vii) water quality improvement. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall consult regularly with the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, the Department<\/span> of Forestry, the Department<\/span> of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department<\/span> of Historic Resources, the Department<\/span> of Wildlife Resources, the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality, the Marine Resources Commission, and any other state or federal agency or private organization deemed appropriate to provide data or information to update methodologies, map layers, and emerging conservation priorities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall review and revise the methodology used to develop and prioritize each conservation value identified in subsection A. The Department<\/span> shall conduct such review and revision process no less than once every two years, and such process shall include public hearings<\/span> and solicitation of public comment. The Department<\/span> shall continue to develop ways to incorporate and encourage environmental justice, as defined in § 2.2-234<\/a>, into all existing and future conservation values. The Department<\/span> shall not utilize any methodology or conservation value to limit a landowner’s decision on implementing any aspect of an approved forest management plan or any appropriate best management practice to achieve water quality improvements. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall provide access to the ConserveVirginia model to the public and all state and federal agencies that benefit by using ConserveVirginia to determine conservation priorities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall incorporate ConserveVirginia into acquisition or grant decisions when appropriate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall utilize information provided by the Department<\/span> of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department<\/span> of Forestry when creating the Agriculture and Forestry map layers of ConserveVirginia. Such information shall include, as appropriate, new data sources that better reflect the economic viability of working farms and forests. The Department<\/span> of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department<\/span> of Forestry shall engage agriculture and forestry stakeholders to improve and refine the ConserveVirginia model to accurately reflect the conservation value of agricultural and forestal land in the Commonwealth. Such information shall inform whether the ConserveVirginia conservation values related to agriculture and forestry have been achieved. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONSERVEVIRGINIA PROGRAM ESTABLISHED (\u00a7 10.1-104.6:1)\n\nA. The Department shall develop a program for the creation, maintenance,\noperation, and regular updating of a data-driven Geographical Information\nSystems model to prioritize potential conservation areas across the Commonwealth\nthat would provide quantifiable benefits to the citizens of Virginia. Such\nprogram shall be known as ConserveVirginia. The model shall synthesize multiple\nmapped data inputs, divided into categories, each representing a different\noverarching conservation value, including (i) agriculture and forestry, (ii)\nnatural habitat and ecosystem diversity, (iii) floodplains and flooding\nresilience, (iv) cultural and historic preservation, (v) scenic preservation,\n(vi) protected landscapes resilience, and (vii) water quality improvement.\n\nB. The Department shall consult regularly with the Chief Resilience Officer of\nthe Commonwealth, the Department of Forestry, the Department of Agriculture and\nConsumer Services, the Department of Historic Resources, the Department of\nWildlife Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Marine\nResources Commission, and any other state or federal agency or private\norganization deemed appropriate to provide data or information to update\nmethodologies, map layers, and emerging conservation priorities.\n\nC. The Department shall review and revise the methodology used to develop and\nprioritize each conservation value identified in subsection A. The Department\nshall conduct such review and revision process no less than once every two\nyears, and such process shall include public hearings and solicitation of public\ncomment. The Department shall continue to develop ways to incorporate and\nencourage environmental justice, as defined in § 2.2-234, into all existing\nand future conservation values. The Department shall not utilize any methodology\nor conservation value to limit a landowner’s decision on implementing any\naspect of an approved forest management plan or any appropriate best management\npractice to achieve water quality improvements.\n\nD. The Department shall provide access to the ConserveVirginia model to the\npublic and all state and federal agencies that benefit by using ConserveVirginia\nto determine conservation priorities.\n\nE. The Department shall incorporate ConserveVirginia into acquisition or grant\ndecisions when appropriate.\n\nF. The Department shall utilize information provided by the Department of\nAgriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Forestry when creating\nthe Agriculture and Forestry map layers of ConserveVirginia. Such information\nshall include, as appropriate, new data sources that better reflect the economic\nviability of working farms and forests. The Department of Agriculture and\nConsumer Services and the Department of Forestry shall engage agriculture and\nforestry stakeholders to improve and refine the ConserveVirginia model to\naccurately reflect the conservation value of agricultural and forestal land in\nthe Commonwealth. Such information shall inform whether the ConserveVirginia\nconservation values related to agriculture and forestry have been achieved.\n\nHISTORY: 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 99; 2024, c. 753.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}