                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

STATE PARK MASTER PLANNING (§ 10.1-200.1)

A. For purposes of this section, unless the context requires a different
meaning:
			&#8220;Development of a park&#8221; means any substantial physical
alterations within the park boundaries other than those necessary for the repair
or maintenance of existing resources or necessary for the development of the
master plan.
			&#8220;Substantial improvement&#8221; means physical improvements and
structures valued at $2 million or more that are not already documented in a
park&#8217;s existing master plan.

B. The Department shall undertake a master planning process (i) for all existing
state parks, (ii) following the acquisition of land for a new state park, and
(iii) prior to undertaking substantial improvements to state parks that are not
already documented in a park&#8217;s existing master plan. A master plan shall
be considered a guide for the development, utilization and management of a park
and its natural, cultural and historic resources and shall be adhered to
closely. Each plan shall be developed in stages allowing for public input.
			Stage one of the plan shall include the development of a characterization map
indicating, at a minimum, boundaries, inholdings, adjacent property holdings,
and other features such as slopes, water resources, soil conditions and types,
natural resources, and cultural and historic resources. The stage one plan shall
include a characterization of the potential types of uses for different portions
of the parks and shall provide a narrative description of the natural, physical,
cultural and historic attributes of the park. The stage one plan shall include
the specific purposes for the park and goals and objectives to support those
purposes.
			Upon completion of a stage one plan, a stage two plan shall be developed by
the Department which shall include the potential size, types and locations of
facilities and the associated infrastructure including roads and utilities, as
applicable. Proposed development of any type shall be in keeping with the
character of existing improvements, if appropriate, and the natural, cultural
and historic heritage and attributes of the park. The stage two plan shall
include a proposed plan for phased development of the potential facilities and
infrastructure. The Department shall project the development costs and the
operational, maintenance, staffing and financial needs necessary for each of the
various phases of park development. Projections shall also be made for the
park&#8217;s resource management needs and related costs. The projections shall
be made part of the stage two plan.
			Upon completion of the stage two plan, the stage one and stage two plans
along with supporting documents shall be combined to form a master plan for the
park. Development of a park shall not begin until the master plan has been
reviewed by the Board of Conservation and Recreation and adopted by the
Director.

C. All members of the General Assembly shall be given notice of public meetings
and, prior to their adoption, the availability for review of stage one, stage
two and master plans and proposed amendments for substantial improvements.

D. The master planning process shall not be considered an impediment to the
acquisition of inholdings, adjacent properties to be incorporated into an
existing park, or properties acquired for the development of a new park. Such
properties, when acquired, shall be incorporated into a park&#8217;s existing
master plan as part of that plan&#8217;s next scheduled 10-year review and
update, or for a new park, a master plan shall be initiated within five years of
finalizing the acquisition.

E. Stage one and stage two plans shall be considered complete following review
and adoption by the Director. Stage one and stage two plans may only be adopted
by the Director following public notice and a public meeting. The Director may
make nonsubstantial amendments to master plans following public notice. A master
plan or a substantial amendment to a master plan may only be adopted by the
Director after considering the recommendations of the Board of Conservation and
Recreation following public notice and a public meeting.

F. The Department shall solicit and consider public comment in the development
of the stage one and two plans as well as the master plan and any amendments
thereto. Such solicitation shall include reasonable notice to appropriate trade
associations and private businesses within a 10-mile radius of the park that
offer similar categories of service, including private campgrounds, marinas, and
recreational facilities.

G. Master plans shall be reviewed and updated by the Department and the Board of
Conservation and Recreation no less frequently than once every 10 years and
shall be referenced in the Virginia Outdoors Plan.

H. Materials, documents and public testimony and input produced or taken for
purposes of park planning prior to January 1, 1999, may be utilized in lieu of
the process established in this section provided that it conforms with the
requirements of this section and that a master plan shall be developed that
conforms with this section which shall not be deemed complete until reviewed and
approved in accordance with subsection E.

I. The planning process contained in this section satisfies the Department of
General Services master planning requirements for lands owned or managed by the
Department of Conservation and Recreation. The Department of Conservation and
Recreation&#8217;s Facility Development Plans shall continue to meet the
Department of General Service&#8217;s requirements.

HISTORY: 1998, c. 780; 2013, c. 43; 2015, cc. 185, 469; 2023, c. 194.