{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/10.1-659.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/10.1-659.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/10.1-659.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/10.1-659.html"}],"law_id":61363,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61363,"structure_id":15872,"section_number":"10.1-659","catch_line":"Flood protection programs; coordination","history":"1989, cc. 468, 497; 2012, cc. 785, 819; 2013, cc. 756, 793; 2020, cc. 493, 958; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 532; 2022, cc. 494, 495; 2024, cc. 13, 753.","full_text":"A\n\nThe provisions of this chapter shall be coordinated with the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan, the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan, and federal, state, and local flood prevention and water quality programs to minimize loss of life, property damage, and negative impacts on the environment. This program coordination shall include but not be limited to the following: flood prevention, flood plain management, small watershed protection, dam safety, shoreline erosion and public beach preservation, and soil conservation programs of the Department of Conservation and Recreation; the construction activities of the Department of Transportation, including projects that result in hydrologic modification of rivers, streams, and flood plains; the nontidal wetlands, water quality, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area criteria, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and other water management programs of the State Water Control Board; the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality; forested watershed management programs of the Department of Forestry; the agricultural stewardship, farmland preservation, and disaster assistance programs of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; the statewide building code and other land use control programs of the Department of Housing and Community Development; the habitat management programs of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission; the hazard mitigation planning and disaster response programs of the Department of Emergency Management; the fish and wildlife habitat protection programs of the Department of Wildlife Resources; the mineral extraction regulatory program of the Department of Energy; the flood plain restrictions of the Virginia Waste Management Board; flooding-related research programs of the state universities; local government assistance programs of the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board; the Virginia Antiquities Act program of the Department of Historic Resources; the public health and preparedness programs of the Virginia Department of Health; the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; the State Corporation Commission; and any other state agency programs deemed necessary by the Director, and the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth. The Department shall also coordinate with soil and water conservation districts, Virginia Cooperative Extension agents, and planning district commissions, and shall coordinate and cooperate with localities in rendering assistance to such localities in their efforts to comply with the planning, subdivision of land, and zoning provisions of Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2.B\n\nThe Director, in coordination with the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, shall hold meetings of representatives of the programs, entities, and localities described in subsection A at least annually in order to determine, coordinate, and prioritize the Commonwealth’s efforts and expenditures to increase flooding resilience and flood preparedness and to implement the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan. The Department shall review any revisions to the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan and provide an update on the progress of the implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan at any such meetings. The Department shall cooperate with other public and private agencies having flood plain management programs and shall coordinate its responsibilities under this article and any other law. These activities shall constitute the Commonwealth’s flood resilience, preparedness, prevention, and protection program.C\n\n1. The Chief Resilience Officer, in coordination with the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection and the Director, shall establish the Virginia Coastal Resilience Technical Advisory Committee (the Committee) to assist with developing, updating, and implementing the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan.2\n\nThe Committee shall be comprised of representatives of state agencies, coastal planning district commissions, regional commissions, academic advisors, and any other representatives as needed. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and shall include the following individuals or their designees: the executive directors of coastal planning district commissions and regional commissions; the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection; the Director; the Director of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management; the Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development; the Executive Director of the Virginia Resources Authority; the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality; the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Transportation; the Director of the Virginia Transportation Research Council; the Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission; the Director of the Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience; the Associate Dean for Research and Advisory Services at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science; the Director of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative at the College of William and Mary in Virginia; the Director of the Virginia Tech Center for Coastal Studies; the Director of the Environmental Resilience Institute at the University of Virginia; the Director of Virginia Sea Grant; the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and the Chief Data Officer of the Commonwealth. The Chief Resilience Officer shall serve as chairman of the Committee.3\n\nThe Chief Resilience Officer shall invite participation by the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District; the Commander of the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic; and representatives of the seven federally recognized Tribal Nations indigenous to the Commonwealth of Virginia.4\n\nAppointed members shall serve in an advisory role without compensation.5\n\nThe Committee shall meet at least quarterly.6\n\nThe Department, the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection, and the Coastal Zone Management Program shall provide staff support to the Committee.7\n\nThe Committee shall ensure that (i) risk evaluations and project prioritization protocols are regularly updated and are informed by the best applicable scientific and technical data; (ii) statewide and regional needs are addressed using the best applicable science and long-term resilience approaches; and (iii) the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Planning Framework is adhered to in the development and updating of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. The Committee shall also review updates to the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and receive updates about the progress of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan at each meeting. Additionally, the Committee may be called upon to assist the Department with the development and updating of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan.D\n\n1. The Director, in coordination with the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, shall establish the Virginia Flood Resilience Advisory Committee (the Committee) to assist with developing, updating, and implementing the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-602 and implementing the Commonwealth’s flood resilience, preparedness, prevention, and protection programs.2\n\nThe Committee shall be composed of the following individuals representing state agencies, or their designees: the Director, the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, the Director of the Department of Emergency Management, the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Executive Director of the Virginia Resources Authority, the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, the Director of the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, the Commissioner of Marine Resources, the Director of the Department of General Services, the Virginia Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Committee membership shall also include one representative from each of the following: the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions, the Virginia Municipal League, and the Virginia Association of Counties. The Director may invite participation by other representatives as deemed appropriate. The Director shall serve as chairman of the Committee. The Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth shall serve as vice-chairman of the Committee.3\n\nMembers appointed to the Committee shall serve in an advisory role without compensation.4\n\nThe Committee shall meet at least two times per calendar year.5\n\nThe Department shall provide staff support to the Committee.6\n\nThe Committee shall receive updates to the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan, the Coastal Resilience Master Plan, and other regional flood resilience plans. The Committee shall advise the Department on (i) assessing the impacts of flooding on people, the economy, and the environment; (ii) establishing and measuring flood resilience goals and metrics for the Commonwealth; (iii) prioritizing state policies, programs, funding, and other strategies to mitigate the impacts of severe and repetitive flooding; (iv) enhancing intergovernmental and interagency coordination for flood resilience planning and strategy implementation; (v) conducting stakeholder outreach and engagement in support of flood resilience planning and implementation; (vi) assisting local governments to minimize loss of life, property damage, and negative impacts on the environment resulting from flooding; and (vii) issues relating to the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan in accordance with the requirements established in § 10.1-602.7\n\nThe Director may establish subcommittees or other bodies to advise on the development and implementation of the Coastal Resilience Master Plan and other regional flood resilience plans.8\n\nThe Department shall engage with the following entities in the development of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan: the federally recognized Tribal Nations indigenous to the Commonwealth, the flooding-related research programs of institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, the agricultural community, the economic development community, environmental nonprofit organizations, local governments, planning district commissions, regional commissions, the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for each district that includes a portion of the Commonwealth, the Commander of the U.S. Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, and other federal facilities located within the Commonwealth.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":224155,"text":"The provisions of this chapter shall be coordinated with the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan, the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan, and federal, state, and local flood prevention and water quality programs to minimize loss of life, property damage, and negative impacts on the environment. This program coordination shall include but not be limited to the following: flood prevention, flood plain management, small watershed protection, dam safety, shoreline erosion and public beach preservation, and soil conservation programs of the Department of Conservation and Recreation; the construction activities of the Department of Transportation, including projects that result in hydrologic modification of rivers, streams, and flood plains; the nontidal wetlands, water quality, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area criteria, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and other water management programs of the State Water Control Board; the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality; forested watershed management programs of the Department of Forestry; the agricultural stewardship, farmland preservation, and disaster assistance programs of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; the statewide building code and other land use control programs of the Department of Housing and Community Development; the habitat management programs of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission; the hazard mitigation planning and disaster response programs of the Department of Emergency Management; the fish and wildlife habitat protection programs of the Department of Wildlife Resources; the mineral extraction regulatory program of the Department of Energy; the flood plain restrictions of the Virginia Waste Management Board; flooding-related research programs of the state universities; local government assistance programs of the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board; the Virginia Antiquities Act program of the Department of Historic Resources; the public health and preparedness programs of the Virginia Department of Health; the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; the State Corporation Commission; and any other state agency programs deemed necessary by the Director, and the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth. The Department shall also coordinate with soil and water conservation districts, Virginia Cooperative Extension agents, and planning district commissions, and shall coordinate and cooperate with localities in rendering assistance to such localities in their efforts to comply with the planning, subdivision of land, and zoning provisions of Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":224156,"text":"The Director, in coordination with the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, shall hold meetings of representatives of the programs, entities, and localities described in subsection A at least annually in order to determine, coordinate, and prioritize the Commonwealth’s efforts and expenditures to increase flooding resilience and flood preparedness and to implement the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan. The Department shall review any revisions to the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan and provide an update on the progress of the implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan at any such meetings. The Department shall cooperate with other public and private agencies having flood plain management programs and shall coordinate its responsibilities under this article and any other law. These activities shall constitute the Commonwealth’s flood resilience, preparedness, prevention, and protection program.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":224157,"text":"1. The Chief Resilience Officer, in coordination with the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection and the Director, shall establish the Virginia Coastal Resilience Technical Advisory Committee (the Committee) to assist with developing, updating, and implementing the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C2"},"3":{"id":224158,"text":"The Committee shall be comprised of representatives of state agencies, coastal planning district commissions, regional commissions, academic advisors, and any other representatives as needed. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and shall include the following individuals or their designees: the executive directors of coastal planning district commissions and regional commissions; the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection; the Director; the Director of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management; the Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development; the Executive Director of the Virginia Resources Authority; the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality; the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Transportation; the Director of the Virginia Transportation Research Council; the Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission; the Director of the Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience; the Associate Dean for Research and Advisory Services at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science; the Director of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative at the College of William and Mary in Virginia; the Director of the Virginia Tech Center for Coastal Studies; the Director of the Environmental Resilience Institute at the University of Virginia; the Director of Virginia Sea Grant; the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and the Chief Data Officer of the Commonwealth. The Chief Resilience Officer shall serve as chairman of the Committee.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C3"},"4":{"id":224159,"text":"The Chief Resilience Officer shall invite participation by the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District; the Commander of the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic; and representatives of the seven federally recognized Tribal Nations indigenous to the Commonwealth of Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"5":{"id":224160,"text":"Appointed members shall serve in an advisory role without compensation.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"C5"},"6":{"id":224161,"text":"The Committee shall meet at least quarterly.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"C5","prefix_anchor":"C5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"C6"},"7":{"id":224162,"text":"The Department, the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection, and the Coastal Zone Management Program shall provide staff support to the Committee.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"C6","prefix_anchor":"C6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C5","next_prefix":"C7"},"8":{"id":224163,"text":"The Committee shall ensure that (i) risk evaluations and project prioritization protocols are regularly updated and are informed by the best applicable scientific and technical data; (ii) statewide and regional needs are addressed using the best applicable science and long-term resilience approaches; and (iii) the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Planning Framework is adhered to in the development and updating of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. The Committee shall also review updates to the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and receive updates about the progress of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan at each meeting. Additionally, the Committee may be called upon to assist the Department with the development and updating of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"C7","prefix_anchor":"C7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C6","next_prefix":"D"},"9":{"id":224164,"text":"1. The Director, in coordination with the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, shall establish the Virginia Flood Resilience Advisory Committee (the Committee) to assist with developing, updating, and implementing the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-602 and implementing the Commonwealth’s flood resilience, preparedness, prevention, and protection programs.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C7","next_prefix":"D2"},"10":{"id":224165,"text":"The Committee shall be composed of the following individuals representing state agencies, or their designees: the Director, the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, the Director of the Department of Emergency Management, the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Executive Director of the Virginia Resources Authority, the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, the Director of the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, the Commissioner of Marine Resources, the Director of the Department of General Services, the Virginia Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Committee membership shall also include one representative from each of the following: the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions, the Virginia Municipal League, and the Virginia Association of Counties. The Director may invite participation by other representatives as deemed appropriate. The Director shall serve as chairman of the Committee. The Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth shall serve as vice-chairman of the Committee.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D3"},"11":{"id":224166,"text":"Members appointed to the Committee shall serve in an advisory role without compensation.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"D4"},"12":{"id":224167,"text":"The Committee shall meet at least two times per calendar year.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"D4","prefix_anchor":"D4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"D5"},"13":{"id":224168,"text":"The Department shall provide staff support to the Committee.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"D5","prefix_anchor":"D5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D4","next_prefix":"D6"},"14":{"id":224169,"text":"The Committee shall receive updates to the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan, the Coastal Resilience Master Plan, and other regional flood resilience plans. The Committee shall advise the Department on (i) assessing the impacts of flooding on people, the economy, and the environment; (ii) establishing and measuring flood resilience goals and metrics for the Commonwealth; (iii) prioritizing state policies, programs, funding, and other strategies to mitigate the impacts of severe and repetitive flooding; (iv) enhancing intergovernmental and interagency coordination for flood resilience planning and strategy implementation; (v) conducting stakeholder outreach and engagement in support of flood resilience planning and implementation; (vi) assisting local governments to minimize loss of life, property damage, and negative impacts on the environment resulting from flooding; and (vii) issues relating to the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan in accordance with the requirements established in § 10.1-602.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"D6","prefix_anchor":"D6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D5","next_prefix":"D7"},"15":{"id":224170,"text":"The Director may establish subcommittees or other bodies to advise on the development and implementation of the Coastal Resilience Master Plan and other regional flood resilience plans.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"D7","prefix_anchor":"D7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D6","next_prefix":"D8"},"16":{"id":224171,"text":"The Department shall engage with the following entities in the development of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan: the federally recognized Tribal Nations indigenous to the Commonwealth, the flooding-related research programs of institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, the agricultural community, the economic development community, environmental nonprofit organizations, local governments, planning district commissions, regional commissions, the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for each district that includes a portion of the Commonwealth, the Commander of the U.S. Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, and other federal facilities located within the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"D8","prefix_anchor":"D8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D7"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15872,"edition_id":1,"name":"Comprehensive Flood Control Program","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12894,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:00:57","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:00:57","permalink":{"id":144753,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15872,"identifier":"6","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6","url":"\/10.1\/I\/6\/6\/","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":87249,"structure_id":15872,"section_number":"10.1-658","catch_line":"State interest in resilience and flood control","url":"\/10.1-658\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-658","metadata":false},{"id":61363,"structure_id":15872,"section_number":"10.1-659","catch_line":"Flood protection programs; coordination","url":"\/10.1-659\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-659","metadata":false},{"id":74998,"structure_id":15872,"section_number":"10.1-660","catch_line":"Coastal resilience policy; research university collaborative","url":"\/10.1-660\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-660","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":87249,"structure_id":15872,"section_number":"10.1-658","catch_line":"State interest in resilience and flood control","url":"\/10.1-658\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-658","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74998,"structure_id":15872,"section_number":"10.1-660","catch_line":"Coastal resilience policy; research university collaborative","url":"\/10.1-660\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-660","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-659\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1989. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 468 and 497 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 1989 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 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 2012, chapters 785<\/a> and 819<\/a>; in 2013, chapters 756<\/a> and 793<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 493<\/a> and 958<\/a>; in 2022, chapters 494<\/a> and 495<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 13<\/a> and 753<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":55899,"section_number":"10.1-602","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-602\/"},{"id":67218,"section_number":"15.2-2200","catch_line":"Declaration of legislative intent","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2200\/"}],"permalink":{"id":144759,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61363,"identifier":"10.1-659","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-659","url":"\/10.1-659\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-659\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-659","dublin_core":{"Title":"Flood protection programs; coordination","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-659","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The provisions of this chapter shall be coordinated with the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan, the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan, and federal, state, and local flood prevention and water quality programs to minimize loss of life, property damage, and negative impacts on the environment. This program coordination shall include but not be limited to the following: flood prevention, flood plain management, small watershed protection, dam safety, shoreline erosion and public beach preservation, and soil conservation programs of the Department<\/span> of Conservation and Recreation; the construction activities of the Department<\/span> of Transportation, including projects that result in hydrologic modification of rivers, streams, and flood plains; the nontidal wetlands, water quality, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area criteria, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and other water management programs of the State Water Control Board; the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality; forested watershed management programs of the Department<\/span> of Forestry; the agricultural stewardship, farmland preservation, and disaster assistance programs of the Department<\/span> of Agriculture and Consumer Services; the statewide building code and other land use control programs of the Department<\/span> of Housing and Community Development; the habitat management programs of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission; the hazard mitigation planning and disaster response programs of the Department<\/span> of Emergency Management; the fish and wildlife habitat protection programs of the Department<\/span> of Wildlife Resources; the mineral extraction regulatory program of the Department<\/span> of Energy; the flood plain restrictions of the Virginia Waste Management Board; flooding-related research programs of the state universities; local government assistance programs of the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board; the Virginia Antiquities Act program of the Department<\/span> of Historic Resources; the public health and preparedness programs of the Virginia Department<\/span> of Health; the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; the State Corporation Commission; and any other state agency programs deemed necessary by the Director<\/span>, and the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth. The Department<\/span> shall also coordinate with soil and water conservation districts, Virginia Cooperative Extension agents, and planning district commissions, and shall coordinate and cooperate with localities in rendering assistance to such localities in their efforts to comply with the planning, subdivision of land, and zoning provisions of Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200<\/a> et seq.) of Title 15.2. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Director<\/span>, in coordination with the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, shall hold meetings of representatives of the programs, entities, and localities described in subsection A at least annually in order<\/span> to determine, coordinate, and prioritize the Commonwealth’s efforts and expenditures to increase flooding resilience and flood preparedness and to implement the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan. The Department<\/span> shall review any revisions to the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan and provide an update on the progress of the implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan at any such meetings. The Department<\/span> shall cooperate with other public and private agencies having flood plain management programs and shall coordinate its responsibilities under this article and any other law<\/span>. These activities shall constitute the Commonwealth’s flood resilience, preparedness, prevention, and protection program. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> 1. The Chief Resilience Officer, in coordination with the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection and the Director<\/span>, shall establish the Virginia Coastal Resilience Technical Advisory Committee (the Committee) to assist with developing, updating, and implementing the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The Committee shall be comprised of representatives of state agencies, coastal planning district commissions, regional commissions, academic advisors, and any other representatives as needed. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and shall include the following individuals or their designees: the executive directors<\/span> of coastal planning district commissions and regional commissions; the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection; the Director<\/span>; the Director<\/span> of the Virginia Department<\/span> of Emergency Management; the Director<\/span> of the Virginia Department<\/span> of Housing and Community Development; the Executive Director<\/span> of the Virginia Resources Authority; the Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality; the Commissioner of the Virginia Department<\/span> of Transportation; the Director<\/span> of the Virginia Transportation Research Council; the Commissioner of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission; the Director<\/span> of the Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience; the Associate Dean for Research and Advisory Services at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science; the Director<\/span> of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative at the College of William and Mary in Virginia; the Director<\/span> of the Virginia Tech Center for Coastal Studies; the Director<\/span> of the Environmental Resilience Institute at the University of Virginia; the Director<\/span> of Virginia Sea Grant; the Director<\/span> of Diversity, Equity<\/span>, and Inclusion; and the Chief Data Officer of the Commonwealth. The Chief Resilience Officer shall serve as chairman of the Committee. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The Chief Resilience Officer shall invite participation by the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District; the Commander of the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic; and representatives of the seven federally recognized Tribal Nations indigenous to the Commonwealth of Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Appointed members shall serve in an advisory role without compensation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The Committee shall meet at least quarterly. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The Department<\/span>, the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection, and the Coastal Zone Management Program shall provide staff support to the Committee. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> The Committee shall ensure that (i) risk evaluations and project prioritization protocols are regularly updated and are informed by the best applicable scientific and technical data; (ii) statewide and regional needs are addressed using the best applicable science and long-term resilience approaches; and (iii) the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Planning Framework is adhered to in the development and updating of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan. The Committee shall also review updates to the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and receive updates about the progress of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan at each meeting. Additionally, the Committee may be called upon to assist the Department<\/span> with the development and updating of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> 1. The Director<\/span>, in coordination with the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, shall establish the Virginia Flood Resilience Advisory Committee (the Committee) to assist with developing, updating, and implementing the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-602<\/a> and implementing the Commonwealth’s flood resilience, preparedness, prevention, and protection programs. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The Committee shall be composed of the following individuals representing state agencies, or their designees: the Director<\/span>, the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth, the Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Emergency Management, the Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Housing and Community Development, the Executive Director<\/span> of the Virginia Resources Authority, the Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality, the Commissioner of the Department<\/span> of Transportation, the Director<\/span> of the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, the Commissioner of Marine Resources, the Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of General Services, the Virginia Director<\/span> of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the Director<\/span> of Diversity, Equity<\/span>, and Inclusion. Committee membership shall also include one representative from each of the following: the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions, the Virginia Municipal League, and the Virginia Association of Counties. The Director<\/span> may invite participation by other representatives as deemed appropriate. The Director<\/span> shall serve as chairman of the Committee. The Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth shall serve as vice-chairman of the Committee. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Members appointed to the Committee shall serve in an advisory role without compensation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The Committee shall meet at least two times per calendar year. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall provide staff support to the Committee. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The Committee shall receive updates to the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan, the Coastal Resilience Master Plan, and other regional flood resilience plans. The Committee shall advise the Department<\/span> on (i) assessing the impacts of flooding on people, the economy, and the environment; (ii) establishing and measuring flood resilience goals and metrics for the Commonwealth; (iii) prioritizing state policies, programs, funding, and other strategies to mitigate the impacts of severe and repetitive flooding; (iv) enhancing intergovernmental and interagency coordination for flood resilience planning and strategy implementation; (v) conducting stakeholder outreach and engagement in support of flood resilience planning and implementation; (vi) assisting local governments to minimize loss of life, property damage, and negative impacts on the environment resulting from flooding; and (vii) issues<\/span> relating to the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan in accordance with the requirements established in § 10.1-602<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> The Director<\/span> may establish subcommittees or other bodies to advise on the development and implementation of the Coastal Resilience Master Plan and other regional flood resilience plans. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall engage with the following entities in the development of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan: the federally recognized Tribal Nations indigenous to the Commonwealth, the flooding-related research programs of institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, the agricultural community, the economic development community, environmental nonprofit organizations, local governments, planning district commissions, regional commissions, the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for each district that includes a portion of the Commonwealth, the Commander of the U.S. Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, and other federal facilities located within the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFLOOD PROTECTION PROGRAMS; COORDINATION (\u00a7 10.1-659)\n\nA. The provisions of this chapter shall be coordinated with the Virginia Coastal\nResilience Master Plan, the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan, and federal,\nstate, and local flood prevention and water quality programs to minimize loss of\nlife, property damage, and negative impacts on the environment. This program\ncoordination shall include but not be limited to the following: flood\nprevention, flood plain management, small watershed protection, dam safety,\nshoreline erosion and public beach preservation, and soil conservation programs\nof the Department of Conservation and Recreation; the construction activities of\nthe Department of Transportation, including projects that result in hydrologic\nmodification of rivers, streams, and flood plains; the nontidal wetlands, water\nquality, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area criteria, stormwater management,\nerosion and sediment control, and other water management programs of the State\nWater Control Board; the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the\nDepartment of Environmental Quality; forested watershed management programs of\nthe Department of Forestry; the agricultural stewardship, farmland preservation,\nand disaster assistance programs of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer\nServices; the statewide building code and other land use control programs of the\nDepartment of Housing and Community Development; the habitat management programs\nof the Virginia Marine Resources Commission; the hazard mitigation planning and\ndisaster response programs of the Department of Emergency Management; the fish\nand wildlife habitat protection programs of the Department of Wildlife\nResources; the mineral extraction regulatory program of the Department of\nEnergy; the flood plain restrictions of the Virginia Waste Management Board;\nflooding-related research programs of the state universities; local government\nassistance programs of the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board; the\nVirginia Antiquities Act program of the Department of Historic Resources; the\npublic health and preparedness programs of the Virginia Department of Health;\nthe State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; the State Corporation\nCommission; and any other state agency programs deemed necessary by the\nDirector, and the Chief Resilience Officer of the Commonwealth. The Department\nshall also coordinate with soil and water conservation districts, Virginia\nCooperative Extension agents, and planning district commissions, and shall\ncoordinate and cooperate with localities in rendering assistance to such\nlocalities in their efforts to comply with the planning, subdivision of land,\nand zoning provisions of Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2.\n\nB. The Director, in coordination with the Chief Resilience Officer of the\nCommonwealth, shall hold meetings of representatives of the programs, entities,\nand localities described in subsection A at least annually in order to\ndetermine, coordinate, and prioritize the Commonwealth’s efforts and\nexpenditures to increase flooding resilience and flood preparedness and to\nimplement the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and the Virginia Flood\nProtection Master Plan. The Department shall review any revisions to the\nVirginia Flood Protection Master Plan and provide an update on the progress of\nthe implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan at any such\nmeetings. The Department shall cooperate with other public and private agencies\nhaving flood plain management programs and shall coordinate its responsibilities\nunder this article and any other law. These activities shall constitute the\nCommonwealth’s flood resilience, preparedness, prevention, and protection\nprogram.\n\nC. 1. The Chief Resilience Officer, in coordination with the Special Assistant\nto the Governor for Coastal Adaptation and Protection and the Director, shall\nestablish the Virginia Coastal Resilience Technical Advisory Committee (the\nCommittee) to assist with developing, updating, and implementing the Virginia\nCoastal Resilience Master Plan.\n\n 2. The Committee shall be comprised of representatives of state agencies,\n coastal planning district commissions, regional commissions, academic\n advisors, and any other representatives as needed. Members shall serve at the\n pleasure of the Governor and shall include the following individuals or their\n designees: the executive directors of coastal planning district commissions\n and regional commissions; the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal\n Adaptation and Protection; the Director; the Director of the Virginia\n Department of Emergency Management; the Director of the Virginia Department of\n Housing and Community Development; the Executive Director of the Virginia\n Resources Authority; the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality;\n the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Transportation; the Director of\n the Virginia Transportation Research Council; the Commissioner of the Virginia\n Marine Resources Commission; the Director of the Institute for Coastal\n Adaptation and Resilience; the Associate Dean for Research and Advisory\n Services at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science; the Director of the\n Virginia Coastal Resilience Collaborative at the College of William and Mary\n in Virginia; the Director of the Virginia Tech Center for Coastal Studies; the\n Director of the Environmental Resilience Institute at the University of\n Virginia; the Director of Virginia Sea Grant; the Director of Diversity,\n Equity, and Inclusion; and the Chief Data Officer of the Commonwealth. The\n Chief Resilience Officer shall serve as chairman of the Committee.\n\n 3. The Chief Resilience Officer shall invite participation by the Commander of\n the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District; the Commander of the Navy\n Region Mid-Atlantic; and representatives of the seven federally recognized\n Tribal Nations indigenous to the Commonwealth of Virginia.\n\n 4. Appointed members shall serve in an advisory role without compensation.\n\n 5. The Committee shall meet at least quarterly.\n\n 6. The Department, the Special Assistant to the Governor for Coastal\n Adaptation and Protection, and the Coastal Zone Management Program shall\n provide staff support to the Committee.\n\n 7. The Committee shall ensure that (i) risk evaluations and project\n prioritization protocols are regularly updated and are informed by the best\n applicable scientific and technical data; (ii) statewide and regional needs\n are addressed using the best applicable science and long-term resilience\n approaches; and (iii) the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Planning\n Framework is adhered to in the development and updating of the Virginia\n Coastal Resilience Master Plan. The Committee shall also review updates to the\n Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and receive updates about the progress\n of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan at each meeting. Additionally,\n the Committee may be called upon to assist the Department with the development\n and updating of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan.\n\nD. 1. The Director, in coordination with the Chief Resilience Officer of the\nCommonwealth, shall establish the Virginia Flood Resilience Advisory Committee\n(the Committee) to assist with developing, updating, and implementing the\nVirginia Flood Protection Master Plan pursuant to \u00a7 10.1-602 and implementing\nthe Commonwealth’s flood resilience, preparedness, prevention, and\nprotection programs.\n\n 2. The Committee shall be composed of the following individuals representing\n state agencies, or their designees: the Director, the Chief Resilience Officer\n of the Commonwealth, the Director of the Department of Emergency Management,\n the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the\n Executive Director of the Virginia Resources Authority, the Director of the\n Department of Environmental Quality, the Commissioner of the Department of\n Transportation, the Director of the Office of Intermodal Planning and\n Investment, the Commissioner of Marine Resources, the Director of the\n Department of General Services, the Virginia Director of the Chesapeake Bay\n Commission, and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Committee\n membership shall also include one representative from each of the following:\n the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions, the Virginia\n Municipal League, and the Virginia Association of Counties. The Director may\n invite participation by other representatives as deemed appropriate. The\n Director shall serve as chairman of the Committee. The Chief Resilience\n Officer of the Commonwealth shall serve as vice-chairman of the Committee.\n\n 3. Members appointed to the Committee shall serve in an advisory role without\n compensation.\n\n 4. The Committee shall meet at least two times per calendar year.\n\n 5. The Department shall provide staff support to the Committee.\n\n 6. The Committee shall receive updates to the Virginia Flood Protection Master\n Plan, the Coastal Resilience Master Plan, and other regional flood resilience\n plans. The Committee shall advise the Department on (i) assessing the impacts\n of flooding on people, the economy, and the environment; (ii) establishing and\n measuring flood resilience goals and metrics for the Commonwealth; (iii)\n prioritizing state policies, programs, funding, and other strategies to\n mitigate the impacts of severe and repetitive flooding; (iv) enhancing\n intergovernmental and interagency coordination for flood resilience planning\n and strategy implementation; (v) conducting stakeholder outreach and\n engagement in support of flood resilience planning and implementation; (vi)\n assisting local governments to minimize loss of life, property damage, and\n negative impacts on the environment resulting from flooding; and (vii) issues\n relating to the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan in accordance with the\n requirements established in § 10.1-602.\n\n 7. The Director may establish subcommittees or other bodies to advise on the\n development and implementation of the Coastal Resilience Master Plan and other\n regional flood resilience plans.\n\n 8. The Department shall engage with the following entities in the development\n of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan: the federally recognized Tribal\n Nations indigenous to the Commonwealth, the flooding-related research programs\n of institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, the agricultural\n community, the economic development community, environmental nonprofit\n organizations, local governments, planning district commissions, regional\n commissions, the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for each\n district that includes a portion of the Commonwealth, the Commander of the\n U.S. Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, and other federal facilities located within the\n Commonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: 1989, cc. 468, 497; 2012, cc. 785, 819; 2013, cc. 756, 793; 2020, cc.\n493, 958; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 532; 2022, cc. 494, 495; 2024, cc. 13, 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}}