dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 10.2 (Virginia Land Conservation Foundation)
§ 10.1-1022.1. Expenditure of funds for natural area protection.
A. No matching grant shall be made from the Fund to any holder or public body for purchasing an interest in land for the protection of a natural area unless:

1. The holder or public body has demonstrated the necessary commitment and financial capability to manage the property; and

2. The Department has, after reviewing the grant application as provided in subsection B, recommended that the grant be made.

B. Natural area grant applications shall be submitted to the Foundation, which shall forward the application to the Department. The application shall include a budget for the proposed purchase and for the management of the property. The Department shall consider the following in making its recommendation on whether the grant should be made:

1. Whether the project will make a significant contribution to the protection of habitats for rare, threatened, or endangered plant or animal species, rare or state-significant natural communities, other ecological resources, or natural areas of Virginia;

2. Whether the area addresses a protection need identified in the Virginia Natural Heritage Plan;

3. The rarity of the elements targeted for conservation;

4. The size and viability of the site; and

5. Whether the holder or public body has the capability to protect the site from short-term and long-term stresses to the area.

C. Matching grant funds provided pursuant to this section shall be expended by the holder or public body within two years of receiving the funds, except that the Department may grant an extension of up to one year.

D. All property for which a matching grant is made pursuant to this section shall be dedicated as a natural area preserve as provided in § 10.1-213. Any such preserve that was purchased in fee simple by the holder or public body shall be open for public access for a reasonable amount of time each year, except as is necessary to protect sensitive resources or for management purposes, as determined by the holder or public body pursuant to an agreement with the Department.

1999, cc. 900, 906; 2001, cc. 164, 168.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 10.2 (Virginia Land Conservation Foundation)
§ 10.1-1023. Certain expenditures prohibited.
Moneys from the Fund shall not be expended for the acquisition of any property interest through eminent domain.

1992, c. 426.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 10.2 (Virginia Land Conservation Foundation)
§ 10.1-1024. Gifts and bequests to Foundation.
Gifts, devises and bequests of money, securities and other assets accepted by the Foundation, whether personal or real property, shall be deemed to be gifts to the Commonwealth, which shall be exempt from all state and local taxes and shall be regarded as property of the Commonwealth for the purposes of all tax laws.

1992, c. 426; 2000, c. 1053.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 10.2 (Virginia Land Conservation Foundation)
§ 10.1-1025. Forms of accounts and records; audit of same.
The accounts and records of the Foundation showing the receipt and disbursement of funds from whatever source derived shall be in such form as the Auditor of Public Accounts prescribes, provided that such accounts shall correspond as nearly as possible to the accounts and records for such matters maintained by similar enterprises. The accounts and records of the Foundation shall be subject to audit by the Auditor of Public Accounts or his legal representative as determined necessary by the Auditor of Public Accounts, and the costs of such audit services shall be borne by the Foundation. The Foundation's fiscal year shall be the same as the Commonwealth's.

1992, c. 426; 2018, cc. 57, 307.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 10.2 (Virginia Land Conservation Foundation)
§ 10.1-1026. Cooperation of state agencies.
All state officers, agencies, commissions, boards, departments, institutions and foundations shall cooperate with and assist the Foundation in carrying out its purpose and, to that end, may accept any gift or conveyance of real property or interest therein or other property in the name of the Commonwealth from the Foundation. Such property shall be held in possession or used as provided in the terms of the trust, contract or instrumentality by which it was conveyed.

2000, c. 1053.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 10.3 (WILD SPANISH MUSTANGS FUND)
§ 10.1-1027. Wild Spanish Mustangs Fund established; administration; purpose.
There is hereby established in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Wild Spanish Mustangs Fund, hereafter referred to as the Fund. The Fund shall consist of such moneys as may be appropriated by the General Assembly and such other moneys as may be made available from any other source, public or private. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund, but shall remain in the Fund. The Fund shall be administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Any expenditure from the Fund shall be subject to the recommendations of the Park Manager at False Cape State Park, with advice and consultation from the City of Virginia Beach, local legislators, and interested community members. The Fund shall be used for the general purpose of protecting the herd of wild Spanish mustangs on the barrier islands of Virginia. Allocations may include, but are not limited to, the erection and maintenance of fences to restrict the entrance of wild horses into Virginia, the transporting of any wild horses that do reach Virginia back to North Carolina, and other measures to protect these horses and promote their retention in North Carolina, as determined by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

2007, c. 37.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1100. Department of Forestry; appointment of the State Forester.
The Department of Forestry, hereinafter referred to in this chapter as the Department, is continued as an agency under the supervision of the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. The Department shall be headed by the State Forester, who shall be appointed by the Governor to serve at his pleasure for a term coincident with his own.

Any vacancy in the office of the State Forester shall be filled by appointment by the Governor pursuant to the provisions of Article V, Section 10 of the Constitution of Virginia.

The State Forester shall be a technically trained forester and shall have both a practical and theoretical knowledge of forestry.

1986, c. 567, § 10-31.1; 1988, c. 891; 1993, c. 699.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1100.1. Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail.
Whenever in this chapter the State Forester or the Department is required to send any mail or notice by certified mail and such mail or notice is sent certified mail, return receipt requested, then any subsequent, identical mail or notice that is sent by the State Forester or the Department may be sent by regular mail.

2011, c. 566.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1101. General powers of Department.
The Department shall have the following general powers, all of which, with the approval of the State Forester, may be exercised by a unit of the Department with respect to matters assigned to that organizational entity:

1. Employ personnel required to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

2. Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter, including, but not limited to contracts with private nonprofit organizations, the United States, other state agencies and governmental subdivisions of the Commonwealth;

3. Accept bequests and gifts of real and personal property as well as endowments, funds, and grants from the United States government and any other source. To these ends, the Department shall have the power to comply with conditions and execute agreements as necessary, convenient or desirable;

4. Promulgate regulations necessary or incidental to the performance of duties or execution of powers conferred under this chapter;

5. Receive, hold in trust and administer any donation made to it for the advancement of forest resources of the Commonwealth;

6. Undertake evaluation and testing of products and technologies relating to replacement of petroleum-based lubricants and hydraulic fluids with lubricants and hydraulic fluids made or derived from vegetables or vegetable oil, and promote the use of such products and technologies found to be beneficial in preserving and enhancing environmental quality; and

7. Do all acts necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

1986, c. 567, § 10-31.2; 1988, c. 891; 1995, c. 111.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1102. Board of Forestry.
The Board of Forestry within the Department of Forestry, referred to in this chapter as the Board, shall be composed of 13 members appointed by the Governor. At least two members shall be representatives of the pine pulpwood industry; two members shall be representatives of the pine lumber industry; two members shall be representatives of the hardwood lumber industry; one member shall be a representative of the timber harvesting industry; and two members shall be small forest landowners. In making appointments to the Board, the Governor shall take into account the geographic diversity of board membership as it relates to Virginia's forest resources. Beginning July 1, 2012, the Governor's appointments shall be staggered as follows: four members for a term of one year, three members for a term of two years, three members for a term of three years, and three members for a term of four years. After the initial staggering of terms, appointments shall be for four-year terms. The State Forester shall serve as executive officer of the Board.

No member of the Board, except the executive officer, shall be eligible for more than two successive terms; however, persons subsequently appointed to fill vacancies may serve two additional successive terms after the terms of the vacancies they were appointed to fill have expired. All vacancies in the membership of the Board shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term.

The Board shall meet at least three times a year for the transaction of business. Special meetings may be held at any time upon the call of the executive officer of the Board, or a majority of the members of the Board.

Members of the Board shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred as a result of their membership on the Board.

Code 1950, § 10-84; 1986, c. 539; 1986, c. 567, § 10-84.1; 1988, c. 891; 1990, c. 127; 1992, c. 145; 2011, cc. 691, 714; 2012, cc. 803, 835.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1103. Powers of the Board.
A. The Board shall be charged with matters relating to the management of forest resources in the Commonwealth.

B. The Board shall advise the Governor and the Department on the state of forest resources within the Commonwealth and the management of forest resources. The Board shall encourage persons, agencies, organizations and industries to implement development programs for forest resource management and counsel them in such development. In addition, the Board shall recommend plans for improving the state system of forest protection, management and replacement, and shall prepare an annual report on the progress and conditions of state forest work.

C. The Board shall formulate recommendations to the State Forester concerning regulations and other matters applicable to Article 10 (§ 10.1-1170 et seq.), including types of equipment to be purchased, rental rates for equipment, and reforestation practices.

1986, c. 567, § 10-84.2; 1988, c. 891; 2012, cc. 803, 835.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1103.1. Forestland and Urban Tree Canopy Conservation Plan.
A. The Department shall establish a Forestland and Urban Tree Canopy Conservation Plan (the Plan) to conserve the Commonwealth's forestland and incentivize the protection of forests and other similar sensitive natural areas as an integral part of state forestry planning and the local comprehensive planning process. The Plan shall be reviewed by the Board of Forestry. In developing the Plan, the Department shall include elements determined by the State Forester, including the following:

1. Examine the current status and trends of forests and tree canopies in the Commonwealth;

2. Identify challenges to forest health, forestland, and tree canopy conservation efforts, including land use, climate change, and invasive species and other challenges identified by the stakeholder group;

3. Identify priority forests for conservation emphasizing protection of streams or wetlands, areas with steep slopes or highly erodible soils, wildlife corridors, and large contiguous blocks of forest;

4. Develop forest-related and tree canopy-related goals;

5. Identify current and potential funding streams and state and local entities that will be vital to achieve forest and tree canopy conservation goals; and

6. Ensure consistency with the objectives of the Board of Forestry with respect to forest management, including forest protection, management, and replacement.

B. The Plan, reviewed by the Board of Forestry, shall be developed in coordination with a Technical Advisory Committee that shall include representatives from the Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Wildlife Resources, Department of Conservation and Recreation, agricultural and forestry industries, environmental and conservation organizations, local governments, the Virginia Cooperative Extension, professional environmental technical experts, residential and commercial development industries, and other stakeholders as the Department deems appropriate.

C. The Department shall update the Plan at least once every five years and shall reconvene the Technical Advisory Committee and seek input prior to approval of any updates to the Plan. The Department shall hold a 30-day public comment period on the Plan and any subsequent updates to the Plan. Following any such update, the Plan shall be made available on its website and submitted to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources.

2024, cc. 278, 354.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1104. General powers and duties of State Forester.
The State Forester, under the direction and control of the Governor, shall exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred or imposed upon him by law and shall perform other duties required of him by the Governor or the appropriate citizen boards.

1986, c. 567, § 10-31.3; 1988, c. 891.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1105. Additional powers and duties of State Forester.
A. The State Forester shall supervise and direct all forest interests and all matters pertaining to forestry within the Commonwealth. He shall have charge of all forest wardens and shall appoint, direct and supervise persons he employs to perform labor in the forest reservations or the nurseries provided for herein, and he is authorized to employ temporary forest wardens to extinguish forest fires in the Commonwealth. He shall take such action as is authorized by law to prevent and extinguish forest fires; develop a program to promote the use of prescribed burning for community protection and ecological, silvicultural, and wildlife management; enforce all laws pertaining to forest and woodlands; prosecute any violation of such laws; develop silvicultural best management practices, including reforestation, prevention of erosion and sedimentation, and maintenance of buffers for water quality, pursuant to Article 12 (§ 10.1-1181.1 et seq.); collect information relative to forest destruction and conditions; direct the protection and improvement of all forest reservations; and, as far as his duties as State Forester will permit, conduct an educational course on forestry at the University of Virginia for credit toward a degree, at farmers' institutes and at similar meetings within the Commonwealth. He shall provide for the protection of state waters from pollution by sediment deposition resulting from silvicultural activities as provided in Article 12 (§ 10.1-1181.1 et seq.). In addition, the State Forester shall cooperate with counties, municipalities, corporations and individuals in preparing plans and providing technical assistance, based on generally accepted scientific forestry principles, for the protection, management and replacement of trees, wood lots and timber tracts and the establishment and preservation of urban forests, under an agreement that the parties obtaining such assistance shall pay the field and traveling expenses of the person employed in preparing such plans. The State Forester also shall assist landowners and law-enforcement agencies with regard to reported cases of timber theft. The State Forester shall develop and implement forest conservation and management strategies to improve wildlife habitat and corridors, incorporating applicable elements of any wildlife action plan developed by the Department of Wildlife Resources and the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan developed pursuant to § 29.1-579.

B. Records of the Department composed of confidential commercial or financial information supplied by individuals or business entities to the Department in the course of an investigation of timber theft are excluded from the mandatory disclosure provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.).

1986, c. 567, § 10-31.4; 1988, c. 891; 1989, c. 215; 1993, c. 948; 1997, c. 7; 1998, c. 156; 1999, c. 220; 2000, c. 997; 2019, cc. 348, 353; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 498.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1105.1. Century forest and farm programs.
A. The State Forester shall establish and administer a century forest program to honor families in the Commonwealth whose property has been in the same family for 100 years or more and includes at least 20 contiguous acres of managed forest. In order to be eligible for recognition under the program, a property shall (i) have been owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years; (ii) be lived on, or actually managed by, a descendant of the original owners; and (iii) have a documented history of timber harvests or forest management activities.

B. The State Forester shall establish and administer a century farm program to honor farm families in the Commonwealth whose property has been in the same family for 100 years or more. In order to be eligible for recognition under the program, a farm shall (i) have been owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years; (ii) be lived on, or actually farmed, by a descendant of the original owners; and (iii) gross more than $2,500 annually from the sale of farm products.

2016, c. 6; 2024, cc. 10, 146.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1106. State Forester to control forest reserves and funds; reforesting; preservation of timber, etc.
The care, management and preservation of the forest reserves of the Commonwealth and the forests thereon, and all moneys appropriated in that behalf, or collected therefrom in any way, and all personal and real property acquired to carry out the objects of this chapter, shall be subject to the control of the State Forester.

The State Forester shall observe, ascertain, follow and put into effect the best methods of reforesting cutover and denuded lands, foresting wastelands, preventing the destruction of forests by fire, the administering of forests on forestry principles, the instruction and encouragement of private owners in preserving and growing timber for commercial and manufacturing purposes, and the general conservation of forest tracts around the headwaters and on the watersheds of the watercourses of the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 10-32; 1984, c. 750; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1108. Waste and unappropriated lands.
Any waste and unappropriated land, other than ungranted shores of the sea, marsh or meadowlands exempted from grant by the provisions of § 41.1-3, may be set apart permanently for use as state forest land, by a grant and proclamation signed by the Governor upon the receipt from the State Forester of an application requesting that a certain piece, tract or parcel of waste and unappropriated land be so set apart. The State Forester shall submit with the application a copy of a report describing fully the location of the land, its character and suitability for forestry purposes together with a complete metes and bounds description of the boundary of the tract. The Department of General Services shall review the application and recommend either approval or disapproval of the transaction to the Governor. If the Governor determines that the land is more valuable for forestry purposes than for agricultural or any other purposes, he may authorize the preparation of a grant which shall be reviewed for legal sufficiency by the Attorney General for the Governor's signature and the lesser seal of the Commonwealth.

All lands so granted shall be subject to statutes and regulations relating to the regulation, management, protection and administration of state forests.

Code 1950, § 10-34.2; 1950, p. 225; 1984, c. 750; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891; 1995, c. 850.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1109. State forests not subject to warrant, survey or patent.
Lands acquired by the Commonwealth for forestry purposes shall not be subject to warrant, survey or patent.

Code 1950, § 10-42; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1110. Violation of regulations for supervision of state forests, etc.
Violators of any regulation for the supervision or use of any state forest, park, road, street or highway traversing the same, shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 10-43; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1111. Kindling fires on state forests; cutting and removing timber; damaging land or timber.
Any person who kindles fire upon any of the state forests of this Commonwealth, except in accordance with regulations prescribed by the State Forester, or who cuts and removes any timber, or who damages or causes the damage of forestland or timber belonging to the Commonwealth, shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for each offense committed.

Code 1950, § 10-44; 1986, c. 539; 1988, c. 891.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1112. Notices relating to forest fires and trespasses.
The State Forester shall distribute notices, printed in large letters on cloth or other suitable material, calling attention to the danger of forest fires, to the forest fire laws, and to trespass laws and their penalties, to forest wardens, and to owners of timberland to be posted by them in conspicuous places. Any person other than a forest warden or the owner of the land on which notices are posted, who tears down, mutilates or defaces any such notice shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor.

1986, c. 567, § 10-31.5; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1113. Not liable for trespass in performance of duties.
No action for trespass shall lie against the State Forester, or any agent or employee of the State Forester for lawful acts done in performance of his duties.

1986, c. 567, § 10-31.7; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1114. Establishment of nurseries; distribution of seeds and seedlings.
A. The State Forester may establish and maintain a nursery or nurseries, for the propagation of forest tree seedlings, either upon one or more of the forest reservations of the Commonwealth, or upon such other land as he may and which he is empowered to acquire for that purpose. Seedlings from this nursery may be furnished to the Commonwealth without expense for use upon its state forests or other public grounds or parks. Seeds and seedlings may also be distributed to private individuals pursuant to terms and conditions and at prices approved by the State Forester.

B. To the extent permitted by federal law and regulations, the preferred method of treatment shall be fumigation using methyl bromide in seedling plant beds prior to seeding.

C. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services or his designee may issue an inspection certificate for intrastate and interstate shipments of conifer and hardwood seedlings to certify that they are apparently free of pests and diseases.

Code 1950, § 10-36; 1968, c. 40; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891; 2012, cc. 101, 621; 2013, c. 124.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1115. Sale of trees.
For the purpose of maintaining in perpetuity the production of forest products on state forests, the State Forester may designate and appraise the trees which should be cut under the principles of scientific forest management, and may sell these trees for not less than the appraised value. When the appraised value of the trees to be sold is more than $50,000, the State Forester, before making such sale, shall receive bids therefor, after notice by publication once a week for two weeks in two newspapers of general circulation. The State Forester shall have the right to reject any and all bids and to readvertise for bids. The proceeds arising from the sale of the timber and trees so sold, except as provided in subsection E of § 10.1-1107, shall be paid into the state treasury as provided in § 10.1-1116, and shall be held in the Reforestation Operations Fund for the improvement or protection of state forests or for the purchase of additional lands.

Code 1950, § 10-37; 1970, c. 31; 1986, cc. 539, 567; 1988, c. 891; 2008, c. 19.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1116. Reforestation Operations Fund.
All money obtained from the state forests, except as provided in subsection E of § 10.1-1107, shall be paid into a special nonreverting fund in the state treasury, to the credit of the Reforestation Operations Fund (the Fund). Interest earned on the moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund, but shall remain in the Fund. The moneys in the Fund are to be utilized for state forest protection, management, replacement, and extension, under the direction of the State Forester.

Code 1950, § 10-39; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891; 2014, c. 263.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1117. Specialized services or rentals of equipment to landowners, localities and state agencies; fees; disposition of proceeds.
The State Forester may cooperate with landowners, counties, municipalities and state agencies, by making available forestry services consisting of specialized or technical forestry equipment and an operator, or rent to them such specialized equipment. For such services or rentals, a reasonable fee, representing the State Forester's estimate of the cost of such services or rentals, shall be charged.

All moneys paid to the State Forester for such services or rentals shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the Forestry Operations Fund, to be used in the further protection and development of the forest resources of this Commonwealth. Upon presentation of a statement, the landowner, county, municipality or state agency receiving such services or rentals shall pay to the State Forester, within thirty days, the amount of charge shown on the statement.

1964, c. 513, § 10-54.1; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1118. Account of receipts and expenditures.
The State Forester shall keep a full and accurate account of the receipts and expenditures of the Department.

Code 1950, § 10-40; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891; 2004, c. 58.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1119. Preservation of evidence as to conserving forest supply; reports to General Assembly; publications.
The State Forester shall preserve all evidence taken by him with reference to conserving the forests of the Commonwealth and the methods best adapted to accomplish such object. He shall report his actions, conclusions and recommendations to each session of the General Assembly and from time to time publish for public distribution, in bulletin or other form, such conclusions and recommendations as may be of immediate public interest.

Code 1950, § 10-41; 1984, c. 750; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1119.1. State Forests System Fund established.
There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the State Forests System Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All contributions from income tax refunds and any other source shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of developing and implementing conservation and education initiatives in the state forests system. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the State Forester.

1999, c. 998.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1119.2. Office of Working Lands Preservation established.
A. The Office of Working Lands Preservation is established in the Department of Forestry under the supervision of the State Forester.

B. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Fund" means the Virginia Farmland and Forestland Preservation Fund.

"Office" means the Office of Working Lands Preservation.

2024, cc. 10, 146.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1119.4. Virginia Farm Link Program.
The Virginia Farm Link Program is hereby established in the Office to assist retiring farmers and individuals seeking to become active farmers in the transition of farm businesses and properties from retiring farmers to active farmers. Such assistance shall include (i) assistance in the preparation of business plans for the transition of business interests; (ii) assistance in the facilitation of transfers of existing properties and agricultural operations to interested buyers; (iii) information on innovative farming methods and techniques; (iv) research assistance on agricultural, financial, marketing, and other matters; and (v) assistance in locating conservation programs aimed at improving water quality.

2024, cc. 10, 146.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1119.5. Reporting requirements.
The State Forester shall submit a written report on the operation of the Office by December 1 of each year to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources. The provisions of this article shall not preclude local purchase of development rights programs established pursuant to the Open-Space Land Act (§ 10.1-1700 et seq.) from being eligible to receive grants, loans, or other funds from public sources.

2024, cc. 10, 146.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1119.6. Review of capital projects and availability of working lands.
In preparing its report on each major state project, as required in Article 2 (§ 10.1-1188 et seq.) of Chapter 11.1, each state agency shall demonstrate that it has considered the impact that project would have on the availability of working farm and forest lands as required in § 10.1-1119.7, and has adequately considered alternatives and mitigating measures. The Department of Environmental Quality, in conducting its review of each major state project, shall ensure that such consideration has been demonstrated and shall incorporate its evaluation of the effects that project would have on the availability of working farm and forest lands in its comments to the State Forester and Governor. The procedures for review of highway and road construction projects established in accordance with subsection B of § 10.1-1188 shall include provisions requiring that the factors listed in § 10.1-1119.7 are considered as part of the review of each project.

2024, cc. 10, 146.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1120. Forest Management of State-Owned Lands Fund.
The Forest Management of State-Owned Lands Fund established by the legislature in 1980 is continued.

1980, c. 525, § 10-45.1; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1121. Definitions.
As used in this article unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Fund" means the Forest Management of State-Owned Lands Fund.

"State-owned lands" means forest land owned or managed by the various departments, agencies and institutions of the Commonwealth and designated by the Department in cooperation with the Division of Engineering and Buildings of the Department of General Services as being of sufficient size and value to benefit from a forest management plan. State-owned land shall not include properties held or managed by the Department of Wildlife Resources, the Department of Forestry, or the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

1980, c. 525, § 10-45.2; 1981, c. 219; 1984, c. 750; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891; 1989, c. 656; 2020, c. 958.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1122. Management, harvesting, sale of timber on state-owned land.
A. The Department in cooperation with the Division of Engineering and Buildings shall develop a forest management plan for state-owned lands with the assistance of affected state agencies, departments and institutions.

B. Prior to the sale of timber from state-owned lands, the proposed sale shall be first approved by the Department and by the Division of Engineering and Buildings. The Department shall make or arrange for all sales so approved and shall deposit all proceeds to the credit of the Fund, except that when sales are made from timber on land held by special fund agencies or the Department of Military Affairs, or from timber on land that is gift property specified in subsection I of § 2.2-1156, the Department shall deposit in the Fund only so much of the proceeds as are needed to defray the cost of the sale and to implement the forestry management plan on that particular tract of land. The remainder of the proceeds from such a sale shall then be paid over to the special fund agency concerned, the Department of Military Affairs, or the agency or institution holding the gift properties, to be used for the purposes of that agency, department, or institution.

1980, c. 525, § 10-45.3; 1981, c. 219; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891; 2009, c. 612; 2019, cc. 659, 660; 2022, c. 761.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1123. Use of Fund; management, receipt and expenditure of moneys.
The Fund shall be used to defray the costs of timber sales, to develop forest management plans for state-owned lands pursuant to § 10.1-1124, and to implement those plans. The Department shall have the authority to manage, receive and expend moneys for and from the Fund for these purposes.

1980, c. 525, § 10-45.4; 1981, c. 219; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1124. Counties and certain cities to pay annual sums for forest protection, etc.
A. Upon presentation to its governing body of an itemized statement duly certified by the State Forester, each county in this Commonwealth, or city which enters into a contract with the State Forester under § 10.1-1125 to provide forest fire prevention, shall repay into the state treasury annually any amounts expended in the preceding year by the State Forester in such county or city for forest protection, forest fire detection, forest fire prevention and forest fire suppression, not to exceed in any one year an amount measured by the acreage, computed, beginning July 1, 2008, upon the basis of seven cents per acre of privately owned forests in the county or city and beginning July 1, 2009, nine cents per acre, according to the most recent United States Forest Survey. In any additions or deductions of acreage from that given by this survey, any land, other than commercial orchards, sustaining as its principal cover a growth of trees or woody shrubs shall be considered forest land, irrespective of the merchantability of the growth, and cutover land shall be considered as forest land unless it has been cleared or improved for other use. Open land shall be considered as forest land when it bears at least 80 well-distributed seedlings or sprouts of woody species per acre. The amounts so repaid by the counties or cities into the state treasury shall be credited to the Forestry Operations Fund for forest protection, forest fire detection, forest fire prevention and forest fire suppression in the Commonwealth and, with such other funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly or contributed by the United States or any governmental or private agency for these purposes, shall be used and disbursed by the State Forester for such purposes. In cities this subsection shall be subject to § 10.1-1125.

B. In any case in which the State Forester and the governing body of any county or city cannot agree upon the additions or deductions to privately owned forest acreage in a particular county or city, or to changes in forest acreage from year to year, the question shall be submitted to the judge of the circuit court of the county or city by a summary proceeding, and the decision of the judge certified to the governing body and to the State Forester, respectively, shall be conclusive and final.

Code 1950, § 10-46; 1964, c. 79; 1984, c. 715; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891; 2008, c. 254.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1125. Application of Articles 4, 5 and 6 to cities; State Forester authorized to enter into contracts with cities.
A. In addition to the application of this article and Articles 5 (§ 10.1-1131 et seq.) and 6 (§ 10.1-1134.1 et seq.) to forestlands lying in counties, such articles shall also apply to forestlands lying within cities. For the purposes of such articles as applied to cities, forest land shall be considered as comprising land which bears at least eighty well-distributed seedlings or sprouts of woody species per acre and which is specifically included in the provisions of the contract with the city.

B. The State Forester is authorized to enter into contracts prepared by the Attorney General with the governing body of any city in which any such forestland is located. The contract shall include provisions for the State Forester to furnish forest fire protection, prevention, detection, and suppression services and to enforce state law applicable to forest fires on forestlands upon any such lands located within a city. The services so provided by the State Forester shall be of the same general type, character, and standard as the same services provided in counties generally.

1964, c. 79, § 10-46.1; 1974, c. 216; 1984, c. 750; 1986, cc. 188, 567; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1126. State Forester authorized to enter into agreements with federal agencies.
The State Forester is authorized to enter into agreements, approved by the Attorney General of Virginia, with agencies of the United States government holding title to forest land in any county, city or town. Any such agreement may include provisions for the State Forester to furnish forest fire protection, prevention, detection, and suppression services together with enforcement of state law applicable to forest fires on forestlands within such county, city or town. Costs of such services provided by the State Forester shall be reimbursed to him as provided in the agreement. The services provided by the State Forester shall be of the same general type, character, and standard as the same services provided in counties, cities and towns generally.

1974, c. 216, § 10-46.2; 1984, c. 750; 1986, cc. 188, 567; 1988, c. 891.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1126.1. Silvicultural practices; local government authority limited.
A. Forestry, when practiced in accordance with accepted silvicultural best management practices as determined by the State Forester pursuant to § 10.1-1105, constitutes a beneficial and desirable use of the Commonwealth's forest resources.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, silvicultural activity, as defined in § 10.1-1181.1, that (i) is conducted in accordance with the silvicultural best management practices developed and enforced by the State Forester pursuant to § 10.1-1105 and (ii) is located on property defined as real estate devoted to forest use under § 58.1-3230 or in a district established pursuant to Chapter 43 (§ 15.2-4300 et seq.) or Chapter 44 (§ 15.2-4400 et seq.) of Title 15.2, shall not be prohibited or unreasonably limited by a local government's use of its police, planning and zoning powers. Local ordinances and regulations shall not require a permit or impose a fee for such silvicultural activity. Local ordinances and regulations pertaining to such silvicultural activity shall be reasonable and necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of citizens residing in the locality, and shall not be in conflict with the purposes of promoting the growth, continuation and beneficial use of the Commonwealth's privately owned forest resources. Prior to the adoption of any ordinance or regulation pertaining to silvicultural activity, a locality may consult with, and request a determination from, the State Forester as to whether the ordinance or regulation conflicts with the purposes of this section. Nothing in this section shall preclude a locality from requiring a review by the zoning administrator, which shall not exceed ten working days, to determine whether a proposed silvicultural activity complies with applicable local zoning requirements.

C. The provisions of this section shall apply to the harvesting of timber, provided that the area on which such harvesting occurs is reforested artificially or naturally in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 11 (§ 10.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 10.1 or is converted to bona fide agricultural or improved pasture use as described in subsection B of § 10.1-1163.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to land that has been rezoned or converted at the request of the owner or previous owner from an agricultural or rural to a residential, commercial or industrial zone or use.

Nothing in this section shall affect any requirement imposed pursuant to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (§ 62.1-44.15:67 et seq.) or imposed by a locality pursuant to the designation of a scenic highway or Virginia byway in accordance with §§ 33.2-405 through 33.2-408.

1997, c. 7.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1127. County and city levies and appropriations.
The governing bodies of the counties and those cities entering into a contract as provided in § 10.1-1125 are authorized to levy taxes and appropriate money for forest protection, improvement and management.

Code 1950, § 10-47; 1964, c. 79; 1988, c. 891.
Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1128. Acquisition and administration.
Each county, city and town acting through its governing body, is authorized to acquire by purchase, gift or bequest tracts of land suitable for the growth of trees and to administer the same, as well as any lands now owned by any such locality and suitable for the growth of trees, as county, city or town forests.

Code 1950, § 10-48; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1129. Purchasing real estate outside of boundaries.
Before any governing body purchases any real estate outside of the county, city or town which it represents pursuant to the provisions of § 10.1-1128, it shall first secure the approval of the governing body of the county, city or town in which the real estate is located.

Code 1950, § 10-49; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1130. State Forester to furnish seedlings and technical assistance.
The State Forester is authorized to supply from any forest tree nursery or nurseries forest tree seedlings and transplants necessary and suitable for reforesting any part or all of any lands acquired or owned and administered by any county, city or town as provided in § 10.1-1128, and to furnish technical assistance and supervision necessary for the proper management and administration of such lands and forests free of cost to counties, cities and towns. The respective counties, cities and towns shall agree to administer such lands in accordance with the practices and principles of scientific forestry as determined by the State Forester or the Board of Forestry.

Code 1950, § 10-50; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891.

Code of Virginia — Title 10.1 (Conservation), Chapter 11 (FOREST RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY)
§ 10.1-1131. Authority of State Forester.
The State Forester is authorized to designate, upon request of the landowner, forest trees of private forest landowners for sale or removal, by blazing or otherwise, and to measure or estimate the volume of the trees under the terms and conditions hereinafter provided.

Code 1950, § 10-51; 1986, c. 567; 1988, c. 891.