                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

VANDALISM; PENALTIES (§ 10.1-1004)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person, without express, prior, written
permission of the owner, to:

   1. Break, break off, crack, carve upon, write, burn, or otherwise mark upon,
   remove, or in any manner destroy, disturb, deface, mar, or harm the surfaces
   of any cave or any natural material which may be found therein, whether
   attached or broken, including speleothems, speleogens, and sedimentary
   deposits. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit minimal
   disturbance for scientific exploration.

   2. Break, force, tamper with, or otherwise disturb a lock, gate, door, or
   other obstruction designed to control or prevent access to any cave, even
   though entrance thereto may not be gained.

   3. Remove, deface, or tamper with a sign stating that a cave is posted or
   citing provisions of this chapter.

   4. Excavate, remove, destroy, injure, deface, or in any manner disturb any
   burial grounds, historic or prehistoric resources, archaeological or
   paleontological site or any part thereof, including relics, inscriptions,
   saltpeter workings, fossils, bones, remains of historical human activity, or
   any other such features which may be found in any cave, except those caves
   owned by the Commonwealth or designated as Commonwealth archaeological sites
   or zones, and which are subject to the provisions of the Virginia Antiquities
   Act (&#xA7; 10.1-2300 et seq.).

B. Entering or remaining in a cave which has not been posted by the owner shall
not by itself constitute a violation of this section.

C. Any violation of this section shall be punished as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to an owner of a cave on his
own property.

HISTORY: 1979, c. 252, § 10-150.13; 1982, c. 81; 1988, c. 891.