                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ACQUISITION OF LANDS OF SCENIC BEAUTY, RECREATIONAL UTILITY OR HISTORICAL
INTEREST (§ 10.1-201)

A. The Director is authorized to acquire by gift or purchase or by the exercise
of the power of eminent domain, areas, properties, lands or any estate or
interest therein, of scenic beauty, recreational utility, historical interest,
biological significance or any other unusual features which in his judgment
should be acquired, preserved and maintained for the use, observation,
education, health and pleasure of the people of Virginia. Any acquisition shall
be within the limits of any appropriation made by the General Assembly for the
purchase of such properties, or of voluntary gifts or contributions placed at
the disposal of the Department for such purposes.

B. The Director is authorized to institute and prosecute any proceedings in the
exercise of the power of eminent domain for the acquisition of such properties
for public use in accordance with Chapter 2 (&#xA7; 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title
25.1.

C. Before any property is purchased or acquired by condemnation, the Director
may request the Attorney General to examine and report upon the title of the
property, and it shall be the duty of the Attorney General to make such
examination and report.

D. When any property is acquired by the Director under the provisions of this
section without the aid of any appropriation made by the General Assembly and
exclusively with the aid of gifts or contributions placed at the disposal of the
Department for that purpose, he may place the property in the custody of the
person or association making such gifts or contributions, or lease the property
to such person or association, for a period not to exceed 99 years, upon terms
and conditions approved by the Governor, which will best preserve and maintain
such property for the use, observation, education, health or pleasure of the
people of Virginia.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 10-21; 1950, p. 394; 1984, c. 750; 1988, c. 891; 2003, c.
940.