                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM (§ 10.1-212)

A. The Virginia Natural Heritage Program is hereby established and shall be
administered by the Department.

B. For purposes of this Program the Department shall:

   1. Produce an inventory of the Commonwealth&#8217;s natural heritage
   resources, including their location and ecological status.

   2. Maintain a natural heritage data bank of inventory data and other relevant
   information for ecologically significant sites supporting natural heritage
   resources. Information from this data bank will be made available to public
   agencies and may be made available to private institutions or individuals for
   environmental assessment and land management purposes.

   3. Develop a Natural Heritage Plan which establishes priorities for the
   protection, acquisition and management of registered and dedicated natural
   areas and natural area preserves.

C. The Program shall include other functions as may be assigned by the Director
for the registration, dedication, protection and stewardship of natural areas
and natural area preserves.

HISTORY: 1989, c. 553.