Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-04-15
The Law About Fish-ways.


This month, April, is that fixed by law
for the visit of inspection OF the County
Supervisors to see that the law requiring
fish ways to be erected over dams Is COM
piled with. AS the law has become mat
ter of discussion in the county we publish
it in full that it's requirements may he
clearly understood and our people saved
from annoyance by complying with ii IN
time:
1. Be it enacted by the general assembly
of Virgin ia. That section one OF an act
entitled an act to prevent distractions 10
the free passage of fish in the streams OF
this state, approved April twenth-ninth,
eighteen hundred and seventy -four, as
amended by an act approved March thlr-
ty-one, eighteen hundred and seventy live.
and sections two, three and four OF the
acts aforesaid, approved April twenty
ninth, eighteen hundred and seventy -four,
be amended and re-enacted so as to read
as follows:
3 l. Be it enacted by the general assem-
bly, of Virginia, That any canal company,
public improvement company, any corpo-
ration, public or private, or any person or
persons whatsoever. owning. or having
control of any dam or other thing ON any
of the rivers of this commonwealth above
tidewater, which dam or obstruction may
interfere with the free passage OF fish,
shall, within one year from tie passage OF
this act, be required to provide every Such
dam or obstruction with a suitable fish,
ladder, known as the Mcdonald hsh-Way,
so that fish may have free passage up or
down said rivers during the months of
March, April, May and June OF each
year; and it shall be required OF such par
ties that the same shall be restored in case
of destruction, and shall be kept in good
repair.
2. Any company, corporation, person
or persons failing to comply with the re-
quirementS of the first section of this act
shall forfeit five dollars for each day he or
they may so fail or refuse to comply there
with, to be recovered by motion or infor-
nation of any person before the county or
corporation court of the county or corpor-
alton wherein such dam or other thing
may be situated; and in case of failure
or refusal of any Of the owners, or agents,
or officers of the dams or distractions
aforesaid to construct sluices or ladders as
required, it shall be the duty OF the coun-
ty or corporation court of the county or
corporation wherein such failure exists,
after due notice to the parties Interested,
and satisfactory proof of such failure, to
have the same constructed at the expense
of the owner or owners thereof.
8 8. II shall be the duty Of the supervi
sors of each county, and the members of
the common council of each city or town,
by personal inspection Of the dams and
streams in their respective counties and
corporations, at least twice a year, in the
months of April and October, to exam
inc and see that the provisions Of the
foregoing sections are carried into effect.
3 4. 1t shall be the duty of the board of
public works of the state to adopt the fish
ladder known as the Mcdonald fish-way,
and furnish printed instructions in regard
to the erection of the same. one copy of
which shall be furnished to the president
or superintendent of any company in
charge Of such dams, and one copy furn-
ished to the clerk of each county or cor
poration court, who shall keep it for the
inspection of all persons desiring informa
ton on the matters contained in this act.
2. This act shall be in force from it's pas
sage.