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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>75953</law_id><section_number>28.2-106.2</section_number><catch_line>Establishment, patrol, and enforcement of state water safety zones and restricted areas; penalty</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="28.2">Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">General Provisions Relating to Marine Resources Commission</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Administration</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Support Activities</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> is authorized, following consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to establish, by regulation, state water safety zones and restricted areas within the tidal waters of the Commonwealth wherein public access shall be restricted or prohibited in the interest of public safety. Such zones or areas shall be consistent with federal <span class="dictionary">law</span> and made effective immediately upon establishment by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>. When, in the <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span>, time is of the essence and circumstances require action before a meeting of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> may be convened, the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> is authorized, following consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to establish state water safety zones or restricted areas, subject to ratification by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The provisions of the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title; purpose" href="/2.2-4000/">2.2-4000</a> et seq.) and &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Publication of proposed regulations" href="/28.2-209/">28.2-209</a> through <a class="law" title="Judicial review of validity of regulations" href="/28.2-215/">28.2-215</a> shall not apply to regulations promulgated under this section. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall publicize the establishment and location of state water safety zones and restricted areas. <a id="paragraph-272689" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/28.2-106.2/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The Virginia Marine Police shall patrol and enforce all state water safety zones and restricted areas. <a id="paragraph-272690" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/28.2-106.2/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> In times of officially declared national or state emergency, the Governor may adjust the boundaries of state water safety zones or restricted areas by executive <span class="dictionary">order</span>. Upon termination of emergency status, the boundaries shall return to those set forth in regulations. <a id="paragraph-272691" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/28.2-106.2/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A violation of any regulation promulgated under this section is a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-272692" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/28.2-106.2/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2003, c. 389.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
