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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>67195</law_id><section_number>10.1-613.1</section_number><catch_line>Criminal penalties</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="10.1">Conservation</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">Activities Administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="6">Flood Protection and Dam Safety</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Dam Safety Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It is unlawful for any <span class="dictionary">owner</span> to knowingly: <a id="paragraph-243587" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/10.1-613.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Operate, construct, or alter a dam without an approval as provided in this article; <a id="paragraph-243588" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/10.1-613.1/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Violate the terms of an approval, <span class="dictionary">order</span>, regulation, or requirement of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> or <span class="dictionary">Director</span> under this article; or <a id="paragraph-243589" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/10.1-613.1/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Obstruct, hinder, or prevent the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> or its designated agents or employees from performing duties under this article.
				A violation of any provision of this subsection or this article is a Class 3 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-243590" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/10.1-613.1/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Each day that any such violation occurs after notice of the original violation is served upon the violator by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> or its designated agents or employees by registered mail shall constitute a separate <span class="dictionary">offense</span>. Upon <span class="dictionary">conviction</span>, the violator is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 per day for each day of the <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, not to exceed a total fine of $25,000, with costs imposed at the discretion of the <span class="dictionary">court</span>. In determining the amount of the <span class="dictionary">penalty</span>, the appropriate <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall consider the degree of harm to the public; whether the violation was knowing or willful; the past conduct of the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span>; whether the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> should have been on notice of the violation; whether the <span class="dictionary">defendant</span> has taken steps to cease, remove, or mitigate the violation; and any other relevant information. <a id="paragraph-243591" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/10.1-613.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2006, c. 30.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
