{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/10.1-609.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/10.1-609.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/10.1-609.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/10.1-609.2.html"}],"law_id":83779,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83779,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-609.2","catch_line":"Prohibited vegetation; certain wetland vegetation allowed","history":"2006, c. 30; 2019, c. 148.","full_text":"A\n\nDam owners shall not permit the growth of trees and other woody vegetation and shall remove any such vegetation from the slopes and crest of embankments and the emergency spillway area and within a distance of 25 feet from the toe of the embankment and abutments of the dam.B\n\nThe provisions of subsection A shall not apply to wetland vegetation, including woody shrubs, trees, and plants, that is growing on a permanent aquatic or safety bench that has been added to the upstream embankment slope of a regulated impounding structure if such vegetation is associated with a wetland mitigation bank or in-lieu fee site that (i) has been approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Quality and (ii) is the subject of a restrictive covenant or other permanent instrument that specifically protects the particular wetland vegetation from removal and is recorded among the land records of the locality. However, the Department may require the dam owner to remove trees by flush cutting unless the Department determines on the basis of site-specific information that the grubbing of roots is necessary to protect the integrity of the dam in a particular case.C\n\nOwners failing to maintain their dam in accordance with this section shall be subject to enforcement pursuant to &#xA7; 10.1-613.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":300321,"text":"Dam owners shall not permit the growth of trees and other woody vegetation and shall remove any such vegetation from the slopes and crest of embankments and the emergency spillway area and within a distance of 25 feet from the toe of the embankment and abutments of the dam.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":300322,"text":"The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to wetland vegetation, including woody shrubs, trees, and plants, that is growing on a permanent aquatic or safety bench that has been added to the upstream embankment slope of a regulated impounding structure if such vegetation is associated with a wetland mitigation bank or in-lieu fee site that (i) has been approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Quality and (ii) is the subject of a restrictive covenant or other permanent instrument that specifically protects the particular wetland vegetation from removal and is recorded among the land records of the locality. However, the Department may require the dam owner to remove trees by flush cutting unless the Department determines on the basis of site-specific information that the grubbing of roots is necessary to protect the integrity of the dam in a particular case.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":300323,"text":"Owners failing to maintain their dam in accordance with this section shall be subject to enforcement pursuant to &#xA7; 10.1-613.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12975,"edition_id":1,"name":"Dam Safety Act","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12894,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":144445,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12975,"identifier":"2","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2","url":"\/10.1\/I\/6\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12894,"edition_id":1,"name":"Flood Protection and Dam Safety","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12893,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":144271,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12894,"identifier":"6","token":"10.1\/I\/6","url":"\/10.1\/I\/6\/","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":58286,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-604","catch_line":" Definitions","url":"\/10.1-604\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-604","metadata":false},{"id":54062,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-604.1","catch_line":"Determination of hazard potential classification","url":"\/10.1-604.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-604.1","metadata":false},{"id":56867,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-605","catch_line":"Promulgation of regulations by the Board; guidance document","url":"\/10.1-605\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-605","metadata":false},{"id":82106,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-605.1","catch_line":"Delegation of powers and duties","url":"\/10.1-605.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-605.1","metadata":false},{"id":73336,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-605.2","catch_line":"Certain regulations affecting impounding structures","url":"\/10.1-605.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-605.2","metadata":false},{"id":58996,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-605.3","catch_line":"General permit for certain impounding structures","url":"\/10.1-605.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-605.3","metadata":false},{"id":69664,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606","catch_line":"Local advisory committee","url":"\/10.1-606\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606","metadata":false},{"id":54840,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/10.1-606.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606.1","metadata":false},{"id":79423,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606.2","catch_line":"Mapping of dam break inundation zones","url":"\/10.1-606.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606.2","metadata":false},{"id":81394,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606.3","catch_line":"Requirement for development in dam break inundation zones","url":"\/10.1-606.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606.3","metadata":false},{"id":87482,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-606.4","catch_line":"Notice to the public","url":"\/10.1-606.4\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-606.4","metadata":false},{"id":71315,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-607","catch_line":"Safety inspections","url":"\/10.1-607\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-607","metadata":false},{"id":68429,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-607.1","catch_line":"Criteria for designating a dam as unsafe","url":"\/10.1-607.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-607.1","metadata":false},{"id":77589,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-608","catch_line":"Unsafe dams presenting imminent danger","url":"\/10.1-608\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-608","metadata":false},{"id":79239,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-609","catch_line":"Unsafe dams presenting nonimminent danger; civil penalty","url":"\/10.1-609\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-609","metadata":false},{"id":80418,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-609.1","catch_line":"Installation of IFLOWS gauges","url":"\/10.1-609.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-609.1","metadata":false},{"id":83779,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-609.2","catch_line":"Prohibited vegetation; certain wetland vegetation allowed","url":"\/10.1-609.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-609.2","metadata":false},{"id":60640,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-610","catch_line":"Right of entry","url":"\/10.1-610\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-610","metadata":false},{"id":65885,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-610.1","catch_line":"Monitoring progress of work","url":"\/10.1-610.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-610.1","metadata":false},{"id":63179,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-611","catch_line":"Dam safety coordination","url":"\/10.1-611\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-611","metadata":false},{"id":54419,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-611.1","catch_line":"Soil and Water Conservation District Dam Maintenance, Repair, and Rehabilitation Fund established; Department to manage; Board to expend moneys; regulations","url":"\/10.1-611.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-611.1","metadata":false},{"id":64937,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-612","catch_line":"Technical Advisory Committee","url":"\/10.1-612\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-612","metadata":false},{"id":67844,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-612.1","catch_line":"Temporary stop work order; hearing; injunctive relief","url":"\/10.1-612.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-612.1","metadata":false},{"id":72084,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613","catch_line":"Enforcement","url":"\/10.1-613\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613","metadata":false},{"id":67195,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.1","catch_line":"Criminal penalties","url":"\/10.1-613.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.1","metadata":false},{"id":73441,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/10.1-613.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.2","metadata":false},{"id":80653,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.3","catch_line":"No liability of Board, Department, employees, or agents","url":"\/10.1-613.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.3","metadata":false},{"id":58273,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.4","catch_line":"Liability of owner or operator","url":"\/10.1-613.4\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.4","metadata":false},{"id":79781,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.5","catch_line":"Program administration fees; establishment of Dam Safety Administrative Fund","url":"\/10.1-613.5\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.5","metadata":false},{"id":77193,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-613.6","catch_line":"Negotiated settlement agreements","url":"\/10.1-613.6\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-613.6","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":80418,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-609.1","catch_line":"Installation of IFLOWS gauges","url":"\/10.1-609.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-609.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":60640,"structure_id":12975,"section_number":"10.1-610","catch_line":"Right of entry","url":"\/10.1-610\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-610","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-609.2\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2006. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?061+ful+CHAP0030\">30<\/a> 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. 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 2019, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?191+ful+CHAP0148\">148<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":72084,"section_number":"10.1-613","catch_line":"Enforcement","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-613\/"}],"permalink":{"id":144511,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83779,"identifier":"10.1-609.2","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-609.2","url":"\/10.1-609.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-609.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/2\/10.1-609.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Prohibited vegetation; certain wetland vegetation allowed","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-609.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Dam <span class=\"dictionary\">owners<\/span> shall not permit the growth of trees and other woody vegetation and shall remove any such vegetation from the slopes and crest of embankments and the emergency spillway area and within a distance of 25 feet from the toe of the embankment and abutments of the dam. <a id=\"paragraph-300321\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-609.2\/#A\"><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 provisions of subsection A shall not apply to wetland vegetation, including woody shrubs, trees, and plants, that is growing on a permanent aquatic or safety bench that has been added to the upstream embankment slope of a regulated <span class=\"dictionary\">impounding structure<\/span> if such vegetation is associated with a wetland mitigation bank or in-lieu fee site that (i) has been approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality and (ii) is the subject of a restrictive covenant or other permanent instrument that specifically protects the particular wetland vegetation from removal and is recorded among the land records of the locality. However, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> may require the dam <span class=\"dictionary\">owner<\/span> to remove trees by flush cutting unless the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> determines on the basis of site-specific information that the grubbing of roots is necessary to protect the integrity of the dam in a particular case. <a id=\"paragraph-300322\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-609.2\/#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> <span class=\"dictionary\">Owners<\/span> failing to maintain their dam in accordance with this section shall be subject to enforcement pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Enforcement\" href=\"\/10.1-613\/\">10.1-613<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-300323\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/10.1-609.2\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROHIBITED VEGETATION; CERTAIN WETLAND VEGETATION ALLOWED (\u00a7 10.1-609.2)\n\nA. Dam owners shall not permit the growth of trees and other woody vegetation\nand shall remove any such vegetation from the slopes and crest of embankments\nand the emergency spillway area and within a distance of 25 feet from the toe of\nthe embankment and abutments of the dam.\n\nB. The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to wetland vegetation,\nincluding woody shrubs, trees, and plants, that is growing on a permanent\naquatic or safety bench that has been added to the upstream embankment slope of\na regulated impounding structure if such vegetation is associated with a wetland\nmitigation bank or in-lieu fee site that (i) has been approved by the U.S. Army\nCorps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Quality and (ii) is the\nsubject of a restrictive covenant or other permanent instrument that\nspecifically protects the particular wetland vegetation from removal and is\nrecorded among the land records of the locality. However, the Department may\nrequire the dam owner to remove trees by flush cutting unless the Department\ndetermines on the basis of site-specific information that the grubbing of roots\nis necessary to protect the integrity of the dam in a particular case.\n\nC. Owners failing to maintain their dam in accordance with this section shall be\nsubject to enforcement pursuant to &#xA7; 10.1-613.\n\nHISTORY: 2006, c. 30; 2019, c. 148.","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}}