{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/10.1-405.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/10.1-405.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/10.1-405.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/10.1-405.html"}],"law_id":63999,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63999,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-405","catch_line":"Duties and powers of the Department; eminent domain prohibited","history":"1970, c. 468, \u00a7\u00a7 10-167, 10-173; 1988, c. 891; 2003, c. 240; 2020, c. 958.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department shall:1\n\nAdminister the Virginia Scenic Rivers System to preserve and protect its natural beauty and to assure its use and enjoyment for its scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other assets and to encourage the continuance of existing agricultural, horticultural, forestry and open space land and water uses.2\n\nPeriodically survey each scenic river and its immediate environs and monitor all existing and proposed uses of each scenic river and its related land resources.3\n\nAssist local governments in solving problems associated with the Virginia Scenic Rivers System, in consultation with the Director, the Board, and the advisory committees.B\n\nThe Department shall not exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire any real property or interest therein for the purpose of providing additional access to any scenic river. Nothing in this subsection shall limit or modify any powers granted otherwise to any locality.C\n\nThe Department may seek assistance and advice related to the scenic river program from the Department of Wildlife Resources, the Department of Forestry, the Department of Historic Resources, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the United States Forest Service, other state and federal agencies and instrumentalities, and affected local governing bodies.D\n\nThe Department shall have the following powers, which may be delegated by the Director:1\n\nTo make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its scenic river duties and the execution of its scenic river powers, including but not limited to contracts with private nonprofit organizations, the United States, other state agencies and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth;2\n\nTo accept bequests and gifts of real and personal property as well as endowments, funds, and grants from the United States government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and any other source. To these ends, the Department shall have the power to comply with such conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary, convenient, or desirable; and3\n\nTo conduct fund-raising activities as deemed appropriate related to scenic river issues.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":233046,"text":"The Department shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":233047,"text":"Administer the Virginia Scenic Rivers System to preserve and protect its natural beauty and to assure its use and enjoyment for its scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other assets and to encourage the continuance of existing agricultural, horticultural, forestry and open space land and water uses.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":233048,"text":"Periodically survey each scenic river and its immediate environs and monitor all existing and proposed uses of each scenic river and its related land resources.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":233049,"text":"Assist local governments in solving problems associated with the Virginia Scenic Rivers System, in consultation with the Director, the Board, and the advisory committees.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":233050,"text":"The Department shall not exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire any real property or interest therein for the purpose of providing additional access to any scenic river. Nothing in this subsection shall limit or modify any powers granted otherwise to any locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":233051,"text":"The Department may seek assistance and advice related to the scenic river program from the Department of Wildlife Resources, the Department of Forestry, the Department of Historic Resources, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the United States Forest Service, other state and federal agencies and instrumentalities, and affected local governing bodies.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":233052,"text":"The Department shall have the following powers, which may be delegated by the Director:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"7":{"id":233053,"text":"To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its scenic river duties and the execution of its scenic river powers, including but not limited to contracts with private nonprofit organizations, the United States, other state agencies and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"8":{"id":233054,"text":"To accept bequests and gifts of real and personal property as well as endowments, funds, and grants from the United States government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and any other source. To these ends, the Department shall have the power to comply with such conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary, convenient, or desirable; and","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"9":{"id":233055,"text":"To conduct fund-raising activities as deemed appropriate related to scenic river issues.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14585,"edition_id":1,"name":"Scenic Rivers Act","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12893,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:46","permalink":{"id":143797,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14585,"identifier":"4","token":"10.1\/I\/4","url":"\/10.1\/I\/4\/","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":75864,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-400","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/10.1-400\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-400","metadata":false},{"id":77774,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-401","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Director; acquisition of property","url":"\/10.1-401\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-401","metadata":false},{"id":72808,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-402","catch_line":"Development of water and related resources and evaluation as scenic resource","url":"\/10.1-402\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-402","metadata":false},{"id":66541,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-403","catch_line":"Hearing","url":"\/10.1-403\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-403","metadata":false},{"id":71197,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-404","catch_line":"Recommendation that a river be designated a scenic river","url":"\/10.1-404\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-404","metadata":false},{"id":63999,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-405","catch_line":"Duties and powers of the Department; eminent domain prohibited","url":"\/10.1-405\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-405","metadata":false},{"id":59274,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-406","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/10.1-406\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-406","metadata":false},{"id":79470,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-406.1","catch_line":"Powers of local governments","url":"\/10.1-406.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-406.1","metadata":false},{"id":57370,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-407","catch_line":"Act of General Assembly required to construct, etc., dam or other structure","url":"\/10.1-407\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-407","metadata":false},{"id":80733,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-408","catch_line":"Uses not affected by scenic river designation","url":"\/10.1-408\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-408","metadata":false},{"id":74404,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-409","catch_line":"Appomattox State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-409\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-409","metadata":false},{"id":78585,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-410","catch_line":"Catoctin Creek State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-410\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-410","metadata":false},{"id":58136,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-410.1","catch_line":"Chickahominy State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-410.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-410.1","metadata":false},{"id":64776,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-410.2","catch_line":"Clinch State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-410.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-410.2","metadata":false},{"id":71039,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-411","catch_line":"Goose Creek State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-411\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-411","metadata":false},{"id":56083,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-411.1","catch_line":"Guest State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-411.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-411.1","metadata":false},{"id":73087,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-411.2","catch_line":"Russell Fork State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-411.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-411.2","metadata":false},{"id":83426,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-411.3","catch_line":"Banister State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-411.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-411.3","metadata":false},{"id":86727,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-411.4","catch_line":"Cranesnest State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-411.4\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-411.4","metadata":false},{"id":76162,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-411.5","catch_line":"Pound State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-411.5\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-411.5","metadata":false},{"id":74937,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-411.6","catch_line":"Grays Creek State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-411.6\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-411.6","metadata":false},{"id":63463,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-412","catch_line":"Historic Falls of the James State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-412\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-412","metadata":false},{"id":67527,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-413","catch_line":"James State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-413\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-413","metadata":false},{"id":79579,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-413.1","catch_line":"Moormans State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-413.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-413.1","metadata":false},{"id":81358,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-413.2","catch_line":"North Landing and Tributaries State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-413.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-413.2","metadata":false},{"id":58927,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-413.3","catch_line":"Dan State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-413.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-413.3","metadata":false},{"id":69375,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-414","catch_line":"Nottoway State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-414\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-414","metadata":false},{"id":68564,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-415","catch_line":"Rappahannock State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-415\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-415","metadata":false},{"id":57698,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-415.1","catch_line":"Rockfish State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-415.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-415.1","metadata":false},{"id":70441,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-416","catch_line":"Rivanna State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-416\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-416","metadata":false},{"id":75349,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-417","catch_line":"Shenandoah State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-417\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-417","metadata":false},{"id":81278,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-417.01","catch_line":"North Fork of the Shenandoah State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-417.01\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-417.01","metadata":false},{"id":62606,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-417.1","catch_line":"South State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-417.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-417.1","metadata":false},{"id":66803,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418","catch_line":"Staunton State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418","metadata":false},{"id":62654,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418.1","catch_line":"North Meherrin State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418.1","metadata":false},{"id":65555,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418.10","catch_line":"Maury State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418.10\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418.10","metadata":false},{"id":82946,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418.2","catch_line":"St. Mary's State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418.2","metadata":false},{"id":82236,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418.3","catch_line":"Meherrin State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418.3","metadata":false},{"id":85343,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418.4","catch_line":"North Mayo State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418.4\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418.4","metadata":false},{"id":85733,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418.5","catch_line":"South Mayo State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418.5\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418.5","metadata":false},{"id":64665,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418.6","catch_line":"Blackwater State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418.6\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418.6","metadata":false},{"id":81876,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418.7","catch_line":"Jordan State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418.7\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418.7","metadata":false},{"id":57492,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418.8","catch_line":"Hughes State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418.8\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418.8","metadata":false},{"id":62386,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-418.9","catch_line":"Tye State Scenic River","url":"\/10.1-418.9\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-418.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":71197,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-404","catch_line":"Recommendation that a river be designated a scenic river","url":"\/10.1-404\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-404","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59274,"structure_id":14585,"section_number":"10.1-406","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/10.1-406\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-406","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-405\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1970. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 468 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1970 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. 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. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapter 891; in 2003, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0240\">240<\/a>; in 2020, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0958\">958<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":143819,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63999,"identifier":"10.1-405","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-405","url":"\/10.1-405\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-405\/","token":"10.1\/I\/4\/10.1-405","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duties and powers of the Department; eminent domain prohibited","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-405","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall: <a id=\"paragraph-233046\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-405\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Administer the <span class=\"dictionary\">Virginia Scenic Rivers System<\/span> to preserve and protect its natural beauty and to assure its use and enjoyment for its scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other <span class=\"dictionary\">assets<\/span> and to encourage the <span class=\"dictionary\">continuance<\/span> of existing agricultural, horticultural, forestry and open space land and water uses. <a id=\"paragraph-233047\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-405\/#A1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Periodically survey each <span class=\"dictionary\">scenic river<\/span> and its immediate environs and monitor all existing and proposed uses of each <span class=\"dictionary\">scenic river<\/span> and its related land resources. <a id=\"paragraph-233048\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-405\/#A2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> Assist local governments in solving problems associated with the <span class=\"dictionary\">Virginia Scenic Rivers System<\/span>, in consultation with the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span>, and the advisory committees. <a id=\"paragraph-233049\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-405\/#A3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall not exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire any real property or interest therein for the purpose of providing additional access to any <span class=\"dictionary\">scenic river<\/span>. Nothing in this subsection shall limit or modify any powers granted otherwise to any locality. <a id=\"paragraph-233050\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-405\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> may seek assistance and advice related to the <span class=\"dictionary\">scenic river<\/span> program from the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Wildlife Resources, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Forestry, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Historic Resources, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the United States Forest Service, other state and federal agencies and instrumentalities, and affected local governing bodies. <a id=\"paragraph-233051\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-405\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall have the following powers, which may be delegated by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span>: <a id=\"paragraph-233052\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-405\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> To make and enter into all <span class=\"dictionary\">contracts<\/span> and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its <span class=\"dictionary\">scenic river<\/span> duties and the execution of its <span class=\"dictionary\">scenic river<\/span> powers, including but not limited to <span class=\"dictionary\">contracts<\/span> with private nonprofit organizations, the United States, other state agencies and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth; <a id=\"paragraph-233053\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-405\/#D1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> To accept bequests and gifts of real and personal property as well as endowments, funds, and grants from the United States government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and any other source. To these ends, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall have the power to comply with such conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary, convenient, or desirable; and <a id=\"paragraph-233054\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-405\/#D2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> To conduct fund-raising activities as deemed appropriate related to <span class=\"dictionary\">scenic river<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">issues<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-233055\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-405\/#D3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTIES AND POWERS OF THE DEPARTMENT; EMINENT DOMAIN PROHIBITED (\u00a7 10.1-405)\n\nA. The Department shall:\n\n   1. Administer the Virginia Scenic Rivers System to preserve and protect its\n   natural beauty and to assure its use and enjoyment for its scenic,\n   recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other assets\n   and to encourage the continuance of existing agricultural, horticultural,\n   forestry and open space land and water uses.\n\n   2. Periodically survey each scenic river and its immediate environs and\n   monitor all existing and proposed uses of each scenic river and its related\n   land resources.\n\n   3. Assist local governments in solving problems associated with the Virginia\n   Scenic Rivers System, in consultation with the Director, the Board, and the\n   advisory committees.\n\nB. The Department shall not exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire any\nreal property or interest therein for the purpose of providing additional access\nto any scenic river. Nothing in this subsection shall limit or modify any powers\ngranted otherwise to any locality.\n\nC. The Department may seek assistance and advice related to the scenic river\nprogram from the Department of Wildlife Resources, the Department of Forestry,\nthe Department of Historic Resources, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission,\nthe United States Forest Service, other state and federal agencies and\ninstrumentalities, and affected local governing bodies.\n\nD. The Department shall have the following powers, which may be delegated by the\nDirector:\n\n   1. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental\n   to the performance of its scenic river duties and the execution of its scenic\n   river powers, including but not limited to contracts with private nonprofit\n   organizations, the United States, other state agencies and political\n   subdivisions of the Commonwealth;\n\n   2. To accept bequests and gifts of real and personal property as well as\n   endowments, funds, and grants from the United States government, its agencies\n   and instrumentalities, and any other source. To these ends, the Department\n   shall have the power to comply with such conditions and execute such\n   agreements as may be necessary, convenient, or desirable; and\n\n   3. To conduct fund-raising activities as deemed appropriate related to scenic\n   river issues.\n\nHISTORY: 1970, c. 468, \u00a7\u00a7 10-167, 10-173; 1988, c. 891; 2003, c. 240; 2020, c.\n958.","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}}