reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 320 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 9A - Commercial Fishing|§ 320. Fishing in freshwater, regulations

 Fishing is hereby prohibited in any public pond, lake, stream or other body of freshwater in the territory by any gear, device or other means except that of angling; provided, that the Commissioner may grant permission, which shall be in writing, for the use of other fishing gear, devices or means of any person or organization for scientific purposes or for live exhibition by any licensed or publicly owned zoo or exhibitor of aquatic life.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 321 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 9A - Commercial Fishing|§ 321. Fishing gear, regulations

 (a) Haul seines shall have no meshes smaller than one and one-half (1 ½) inches stretch measure; except that seines specifically used for the catching of bait fish may have smaller meshes; provided, that such bait seines and the use thereof shall otherwise conform to the provisions of this chapter and to the rules and regulations issued by the Commissioner. (b) In fishing with haul seines or bait seines it is prohibited to take the seines up to the shore or otherwise remove them from the water to withdraw the fish. Every fish suitable for human consumption must be withdrawn from the seine while it is still in the water, and the fish which are too small for human consumption and which shall not be utilized as bait fish (specifically ballyhoo, mullet or sprat), shall be released unharmed into the sea. (c) Fish pots may be constructed of any material; provided, that the entrance, or one side of the fish pot, or the door or the fastening of the door for the removal of fish shall be constructed of some material less durable than that used in the construction of the fish pot itself, such as twine, twine and bamboo or soft wood; the purpose being to permit the escape of fish in fish pots which have been lost accidentally at sea. (d) No fish trap, fish pot or lobster pot constructed of wire or mesh, in part or in whole, and used within the inland or reef-protected areas of the territorial coastal waters, shall have a wire mesh opening less than one and one-quarter (1 ¼) inches in its largest vertical dimension, the purpose being to permit the escape of small and juvenile fish. (e) No person shall use wooden or bamboo or metal buoys on any traps, pot or set in the inland or coastal waters of this territory after January 1, 1973. (f) Any boat or vessel equipped with, or any person having in his possession, any gear, apparatus or other device or equipment contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall be considered to be in violation of those provisions. (g) Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty ($50) dollars nor more than one hundred ($100) dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days on each count, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 322 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 9A - Commercial Fishing|§ 322. Fishing with explosives, poisons, drugs, chemicals, spears, hooks, or similar devices

 (a) It is prohibited to fish by means of explosives in the territory, or to sell or to possess fish caught by means of any kind of explosives, except that sharks may be taken with an implement popularly known as a “bang stick” and possession of sharks taken by such means shall not be unlawful. (b) Spiny lobsters shall not be taken with explosives, poisons, drugs, or other chemicals, nor with spears, hooks or similar devices. (c) Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction therefor, be punished by a fine of not less than three hundred ($300) dollars nor more than five hundred ($500) dollars on each count or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 323 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 9A - Commercial Fishing|§ 323. Contamination of fishing waters

 It is prohibited to throw or cause to be thrown or deposited into any waters of the United States Virgin Islands, oils, acids, poisons or any other substance which destroys or injures fish as defined herein. When any natural or artificial person desires to discharge into any waters of the United States Virgin Islands, whether pond, lagoon, spring, stream, river, channel, sea or other waters, the residue or waste of any factory or industrial enterprise, he shall first obtain all necessary federal and United States Virgin Islands permits. Any artificial person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction therefor, be fined not less than three hundred ($300) dollars nor more than five hundred ($500) dollars on each count. Any natural person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction therefor, be punished by a fine of not less than three hundred ($300) dollars nor more than five hundred ($500) dollars on each count or be imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent the Department of Health from throwing into the water any substance necessary for the protection of the public health.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 323a (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 9A - Commercial Fishing|§ 323a. Interference with commercial fishing

 (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to enter the tidal zone to the lee of the stern of any floating fishing craft at anchor for a distance of one hundred and seventy-five feet by the width of the transom, but not less than 10 feet in width, provided that such craft is not closer than 200 feet from any shoreline, and provided further that such craft is displaying a flag referred to in subsection (b) of this section identifying it as a fishing craft. (b) The Commissioner, within thirty days from July 27, 1982, shall cause to be made, and shall make available to, all United States Virgin Islands commercial fishermen for a nominal charge identical brightly colored flags of a distinctive nature which can be displayed by such fishermen on their fishing boats while engaged in legitimate fishing activities; provided, however, that the Commissioner shall keep a list of all persons who obtain flags pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 324 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 9A - Commercial Fishing|§ 324. Sale of local seafood

 No person shall sell, or represent for the purpose of sale, in any form, any seafood as local or native seafood unless the same shall have been originally caught or taken in this territory; nor shall any person so sell, or represent for the purpose of sale, in any form, any crustacean as local or native lobster unless the same is of the species known as Panulirus argus; nor shall any person so sell, or represent for the purpose of sale, in any form, any meat as local or native lobster meat unless such meat is wholly from crustaceans of such species. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction therefor, shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five ($25) dollars nor more than one hundred ($100) dollars on each count.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 325 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 9A - Commercial Fishing|§ 325. Penalties; rewards for convictions

 (a) Any person who knowingly counsels, aids or assists in a violation of any provision of this chapter or of any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder or knowingly shares in any of the proceeds of said violation by receiving or possessing fish, shall be deemed to have incurred the penalties imposed thereby upon the person guilty of such violation. (b) Any person violating any provision of this chapter, unless otherwise provided, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than five hundred ($500) dollars or to imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or to both such fine and imprisonment. (c) Any penalty imposed under this chapter shall be in addition to the suspension or revocation of licenses, permits, certificates or registrations as authorized by this chapter, and to any confiscation and forfeiture proceedings authorized under this chapter. (d) Any person, other than a person charged with enforcing the provisions of this chapter, furnishing evidence sufficient to convict any violator of sections 318, 319, 322 or 323 of this chapter, shall receive a reward of fifty ($50) dollars for each conviction. The reward shall be paid by the Commissioner from the Fish and Game Fund upon certification of conviction by the Attorney General.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 325a (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 9A - Commercial Fishing|§ 325a. Public fish markets

 (a) All public fish markets in the United States Virgin Islands heretofore established under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture are hereby transferred to and continued without interruption within the Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs. (b) The Commissioner of Conservation and Cultural Affairs is authorized to establish a schedule of reasonable fees for the use of the facilities and to issue appropriate rules and regulations in the manner provided by law to govern the use of the fish markets.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 326 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 9A - Commercial Fishing|§ 326. Separability

 It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands of the United States that if a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provisions of this chapter to be invalid or ineffective in whole or in part, the effect of such decision shall be limited to those provisions which are expressly stated in the decision to be invalid or ineffective, and all other provisions of this chapter shall continue to be separately and fully effective.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 401 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 10 - Open Shorelines|§ 401. Declaration of policy

 The sea has long dominated the history of the United States Virgin Islands. It has, until the advent of the air age, been the only route to the outside. The sea has brought to these islands all of the seven flags that have reigned over them. It has also been a constant source of food and recreation. The threshold to the sea that surrounds us is the shoreline. The shorelines of the United States Virgin Islands have in the past been used freely by all residents and visitors alike. The seashore has been a place of recreation, of meditation, of physical therapy and of rest to Virgin Islanders past and present. To fishermen the sea and its shores are a way of life. The second half of the twentieth century has brought adverse changes to the United States Virgin Islands shorelines. There has been uncontrolled and uncoordinated development of this area, together with attempts, sometimes successful, to curtail the use of these areas by the public. The Legislature recognizes that the public has made frequent, uninterrupted and unobstructed use of the shorelines of the United States Virgin Islands throughout Danish rule and under American rule as recently as the nineteen fifties. It is the intent of the Legislature to preserve what has been a tradition and to protect what has become a right of the public.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 402 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 10 - Open Shorelines|§ 402. Open beaches and shorelines; shorelines defined

 (a) It is hereby declared and affirmed that the public, individually and collectively, has and shall continue to have the right to use and enjoy the shorelines of the United States Virgin Islands as “United States Virgin Islands” is defined in section 2(a) of the Revised Organic Act of the United States Virgin Islands. (b) For the purposes of this chapter “shorelines of the United States Virgin Islands” shall mean the area along the coastlines of the United States Virgin Islands from the seaward line of low tide, running inland a distance of fifty (50) feet; or to the extreme seaward boundary of natural vegetation which spreads continuously inland; or to a natural barrier; whichever is the shortest distance. Whenever the shore is extended into the sea by filling or dredging, the boundary of the shorelines shall remain at the line of vegetation as previously established.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 403 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 10 - Open Shorelines|§ 403. Obstruction of shorelines prohibited

 No person, firm, corporation, association or other legal entity shall create, erect, maintain, or construct any obstruction, barrier, or restraint of any nature whatsoever upon, across or within the shorelines of the United States Virgin Islands as defined in this section, which would interfere with the right of the public individually and collectively, to use and enjoy any shoreline.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 521 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Student Conservation Corps|§ 521. Declaration of policy

 The Legislature finds that the employment of United States Virgin Islands youth in the beautification of the United States Virgin Islands and the conservation of its irreplaceable natural resources will provide a constructive and instructive experience for such youth in the understanding and appreciation of their natural environment and heritage. It is therefore the purpose of this chapter to further the objectives of the Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs and the development and maintenance of the beauty and natural resources of the United States Virgin Islands by the youth upon whom will fall the responsibility for maintaining and managing these resources.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 522 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 11 - Virgin Islands Student Conservation Corps|§ 522. Student Conservation Corps

 (a) To further assist in carrying out the duties, responsibilities and programs of the Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs, there is hereby established in such Department a Virgin Islands Student Conservation Corps (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the “Corps”). The Corps shall consist of young men and women who have attained age fourteen but have not attained age twenty-five. (b) The Commissioner of Conservation and Cultural Affairs may employ members of the Corps pursuant to the provisions of chapter 8 of Title 24 of this Code. Corps members with college training in the areas of forestry, ecology, horticulture, landscape architecture or related subjects shall be employed in supervisory capacities whenever possible. (c) The Commissioner of Conservation and Cultural Affairs shall determine the areas under his administrative jurisdiction which are appropriate for carrying out programs using student employees of the Corps. The rates, hours and other conditions of employment in the Corps shall be determined by the Commissioner with the approval of the Director of Personnel; provided, that members of the Corps shall not be deemed to be regular employees of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands other than for the purposes of chapter 11 of Title 24 and chapter 118 of Title 33 of this Code. (d) No member of the Corps shall be employed for a term in excess of 90 consecutive days during any one calendar year. (e) The Commissioner of Conservation and Cultural Affairs with the approval of the Director of Personnel may provide for such transportation, lodging, subsistence, and other services and equipment as he may deem necessary and appropriate for the needs of members of the Corps in their duties. (f) For the purpose of this chapter, a training and supervisory staff may be employed on a temporary contract basis or pursuant to the provisions of chapter 25 of Title 3 of this Code, with the approval of the Director of Personnel. Members of such staff need not be members of the Corps.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 531 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 13 - Environmental Protection|§ 531. Declaration of policy

 The Legislature of the Virgin Islands hereby determines and finds that the lands and waters comprising the watersheds of the United States Virgin Islands are great natural assets and resources; and that improper development of land results in changed watershed conditions such as: erosion and sediment deposition on lower-lying land and in the tidal waters, increased flooding, gut and drainage filling and alteration, pollution, and other harmful environmental changes to such a degree that fish, marine life, and recreational and other private and public uses of lands and waters are being adversely affected. In order to protect the natural resources of the United States Virgin Islands, promote the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the United States Virgin Islands, and to protect private and public property, the Legislature further finds and determines that it is necessary to establish by law an environmental protection program for land development to prevent soil erosion and for the conservation of beaches, shorelines and the coastal zones of the United States Virgin Islands.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 532 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 13 - Environmental Protection|§ 532. Environmental protection program

 (a) The Virgin Islands Conservation District shall prepare and adopt an Environmental Protection Program in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Office of Planning, the Departments of Conservation and Cultural Affairs, Agriculture, Public Works, and Health. The provisions of the Environmental Protection Program and any amendments thereto shall be filed and published in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as administrative regulations pursuant to chapter 35 of Title 3 of this Code. Thereafter, such program shall have the force and effect of law. (b) The Environmental Protection Program shall be in the form of rules and regulations designed to prevent improper development of land and harmful environment changes and in accordance with the declaration of policy as stated in section 531 of this chapter. This program shall include comprehensive erosion and sediment control measures applicable to both public and private developments including the construction and maintenance of streets and roads.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 533 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 13 - Environmental Protection|§ 533. Earth change plans

 Before any real property is cleared, graded, filled or otherwise disturbed for any purpose or use including, but not limited to, the erection of any building or structure, the quarrying of stone or the construction of roads and streets by any: (1) person or other legal entity; or (2) department, agency, board, authority or other instrumentality of the Government of the Virgin Islands or the United States Government; an Earth Change Plan shall be approved by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources as conforming to the Environmental Protection Program adopted pursuant to this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 534 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 13 - Environmental Protection|§ 534. Earth change permits

 (a) Upon approval of an Earth Change Plan and certification by the applicant that all earth changes shall be in accordance with such Plan, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources shall issue an Earth Change Permit to the applicant. (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources shall not issue any building or other permit until the applicant for such permit has presented to the Department an approved Earth Change Permit obtained in accordance with this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 535 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 13 - Environmental Protection|§ 535. Exemptions

 The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to common household gardening, truck farming and the cultivation of property for agricultural purposes under approved soil and water conservation practices.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 536 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 13 - Environmental Protection|§ 536. Inspections and enforcement

 (a) The Commissioner of Planning and Natural Resources shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. The Commissioner or his authorized representatives may, for the purpose of performing their official duties under this chapter, enter upon and inspect any parcel of property or premises at all reasonable hours. (b) Any person who fails to secure an Earth Change Permit under section 534 of this title, fails to pay the Earth Change Permit fee, or violates any provision of an Earth Change Permit shall be subject to a civil penalty of $200 per day per violation. (c) Civil penalties charged pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may be assessed administratively by the Commissioner of Planning and Natural Resources if the person charged has been given an opportunity to have a hearing, and findings of fact and conclusions of law are made before the civil penalties are imposed. (d) Upon the start of activity for which an Earth Change Permit has been issued, the owner of the property or his authorized agent shall so notify the Commissioner so that he may schedule the inspection that may be deemed necessary for the effective enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. (e) The Commissioner shall maintain accurate records of inspections made, notices issued and actions taken by property owners or authorized agents pursuant to notices resulting from inspection.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 537 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 13 - Environmental Protection|§ 537. Appeals

 Decisions of the Commissioner of Planning and Natural Resources under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to appeal to the Board of Land Use Appeals, provided such appeal is filed within thirty days of the receipt of any such decision.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 538 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 13 - Environmental Protection|§ 538. Violations

 (a) Any violation of this chapter shall be deemed a misdemeanor, and the person, partnership, or corporation who is found guilty of such violation shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or one year's imprisonment for each and every violation. (b) The Attorney General shall prosecute all actions required for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. (c) The Attorney General, in addition to other remedies, may institute any appropriate action or proceedings to prevent any violation of this chapter or to restrain, correct or abate such violation or to prevent the occupancy of developments involving land cleared, graded or otherwise disturbed in violation of this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 539 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 13 - Environmental Protection|§ 539. Compliance with the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Act of 1978

 Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary, any person wishing to perform or undertake any development in the first tier of the coastal zone, as defined in Title 12, chapter 21 of this Code, shall obtain a coastal zone permit pursuant to Title 12, chapter 21 of this Code, prior to commencing or undertaking such development. Issuance of a coastal zone permit for said development shall constitute compliance with this chapter, and in such event no permit shall be required for said development pursuant to this chapter.