                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DURATION; AMENDMENT BY COURT ACTION (§ 10.1-1245)

A. An environmental covenant is perpetual unless it is:

   1. By its terms limited to a specific duration or terminated by the occurrence
   of a specific event;

   2. Terminated by consent pursuant to &#xA7; 10.1-1246;

   3. Terminated pursuant to subsection B;

   4. Terminated by foreclosure of an interest that has priority over the
   environmental covenant; or

   5. Terminated or modified in an eminent domain proceeding, but only if:
   				a. The agency that signed the covenant is a party to the proceeding;
   				b. All persons identified in subsections A and B of &#xA7; 10.1-1246 are
   given notice of the pendency of the proceeding; and
   				c. The court determines, after hearing, that the termination or
   modification will not adversely affect human health or the environment.

B. If the agency that signed an environmental covenant has determined that the
intended benefits of the covenant can no longer be realized, a court, under the
doctrine of changed circumstances, in an action in which all persons identified
in subsections A and B of &#xA7; 10.1-1246 have been given notice, may terminate
the covenant or reduce its burden on the real property subject to the covenant.
The agency&#8217;s determination or its failure to make a determination upon
request is subject to review pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7;
2.2-4000 et seq.).

C. Except as otherwise provided in subsections A and B, an environmental
covenant may not be extinguished, limited, or impaired through issuance of a tax
deed, foreclosure of a tax lien, or application of the doctrine of adverse
possession, prescription, abandonment, waiver, lack of enforcement, or
acquiescence, or a similar doctrine.

HISTORY: 2010, c. 691.