10.1-419 - Declared a state historic river; planning for use and development; advisory committee established.
§ 10.1-419. Declared a state historic river; planning for use anddevelopment; advisory committee established.
A. In keeping with the public policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia toconserve the portions of certain rivers possessing superior natural beauty,thereby assuring their use and enjoyment for their historic, scenic,recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, cultural and other values, thatportion of the Lower James River in Charles City, James City and SurryCounties, from an unnamed tributary to the James River approximately 1.2miles east of Trees Point in Charles City County (northside) and UpperChippokes Creek (southside) to Grices Run (northside) and Lawnes Creek(southside), is hereby declared to be an historic river with noteworthyscenic and ecological qualities.
B. In all planning for the use and development of water and related landresources which changes the character of a stream or waterway or destroys itshistoric, scenic or ecological values, full consideration and evaluation ofthe river as an historic, scenic and ecological resource should be givenbefore such work is undertaken. Alternative solutions should also beconsidered before such work is undertaken.
C. The Counties of Charles City, James City and Surry and the Governor shallappoint a seven-member advisory committee of area residents and otherqualified persons. The governing bodies of the Counties of James City andSurry shall each appoint two persons to the Lower James River AdvisoryCommittee. The governing body of Charles City County shall appoint one personto the Advisory Committee. The Governor shall appoint two persons to theAdvisory Committee. Committee members will serve four-year terms, withoutcompensation.
The Advisory Committee shall assist and advise the Department of Conservationand Recreation, the political subdivisions through which the Lower JamesRiver passes, and other public bodies concerning the protection andmanagement of this portion of the River. The Advisory Committee shall haveno regulatory authority.
D. The General Assembly hereby designates the Department of Conservation andRecreation as the agency of the Commonwealth responsible for assuring thatthe purposes of this chapter are achieved. Nothing in this designation shallimpair the powers and duties of the local jurisdictions listed above or theVirginia Department of Transportation.
(1988, cc. 721, 891; 1989, c. 656.)