                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES; DIRECTOR (§ 29.1-109)

A. The Department shall exist to provide public, informational and educational
services related to this title, and to serve as the agency responsible for the
administration and enforcement of all rules and regulations of the Board, the
statutory provisions of this title, and related legislative acts. The Department
shall employ scientific principles and procedures, as developed, researched,
recognized and accepted within the bounds of comprehensive professional wildlife
resource management, in the management of the Commonwealth&#8217;s wildlife and
natural resources.

B. The Board shall appoint a Director, subject to confirmation and
reconfirmation every four years by the General Assembly, to head the Department
and to act as principal administrative officer. In addition to the powers
designated elsewhere in this title, the Director shall have the power to:

   1. Enforce or cause to be enforced all laws for the protection, propagation
   and preservation of game birds and game animals of the Commonwealth and all
   fish in the inland waters thereof. Inland waters shall include all waters
   above tidewater and the brackish and freshwater streams, creeks, bays,
   including Back Bay, inlets, and ponds in the tidewater counties and cities. In
   waters of the Albemarle and Currituck watersheds, the management of the
   recreational and commercial harvest of blue crabs shall rest with the Marine
   Resources Commission.

   2. Initiate prosecution of all persons who violate such laws, and seize and
   confiscate wild birds, wild animals and fish that have been illegally killed,
   caught, transported or shipped.

   3. Enter into reciprocal or mutual aid agreements with other states pertaining
   to the enforcement of laws set forth in Chapters 3 (&#xA7; 29.1-300 et seq.),
   4 (&#xA7; 29.1-400 et seq.), 5 (&#xA7; 29.1-500 et seq.), and 6 (&#xA7;
   29.1-600 et seq.) across state boundaries.

   4. Employ persons necessary for the administrative requirements of the Board
   and to designate the official position and duties of each. The salaries of all
   such employees shall be as provided in accordance with law.

   5. Perform such acts as may be necessary to the conduct and establishment of
   cooperative fish and wildlife projects with the federal government as
   prescribed by acts of Congress and in compliance with rules and regulations
   promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior.

   6. Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to
   the performance of his duties and the execution of his powers, including, but
   not limited to, contracts with the United States, other state agencies and
   governmental subdivisions of the Commonwealth.

   7. When practicable, consult with, and keep informed, wildlife and boating
   constituent organizations so as to benefit Virginia&#8217;s wildlife and
   natural resources and accomplish the Department&#8217;s mission.

HISTORY: Code 1950, §§ 29-8, 29-16; 1952, c. 680, § 29-1.1; 1954, c. 632, §
29-15; 1962, c. 469, § 29-14; 1974, c. 59, § 29-2; 1979, c. 264, § 29-13;
1987, c. 488; 1999, c. 215; 2000, c. 10; 2006, cc. 69, 915; 2012, c. 595; 2015,
c. 68; 2020, c. 958.