29.1-109 - Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Director.
§ 29.1-109. Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Director.
A. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries shall exist to provide public,informational and educational services related to this title, and to serve asthe agency responsible for the administration and enforcement of all rulesand regulations of the Board, the statutory provisions of this title, andrelated legislative acts. The Department shall employ scientific principlesand procedures, as developed, researched, recognized and accepted within thebounds of comprehensive professional wildlife resource management, in themanagement of the Commonwealth's wildlife and natural resources.
B. The Board shall appoint a Director, subject to confirmation andreconfirmation every four years by the General Assembly, to head theDepartment and to act as principal administrative officer. In addition to thepowers designated elsewhere in this title, the Director shall have the powerto:
1. Enforce or cause to be enforced all laws for the protection, propagationand preservation of game birds and game animals of the Commonwealth and allfish in the inland waters thereof. Inland waters shall include all watersabove tidewater and the brackish and freshwater streams, creeks, bays,including Back Bay, inlets, and ponds in the tidewater counties and cities.
2. Initiate prosecution of all persons who violate such laws, and seize andconfiscate wild birds, wild animals and fish that have been illegally killed,caught, transported or shipped.
3. Employ persons necessary for the administrative requirements of the Boardand to designate the official position and duties of each. The salaries ofall such employees shall be as provided in accordance with law.
4. Perform such acts as may be necessary to the conduct and establishment ofcooperative fish and wildlife projects with the federal government asprescribed by acts of Congress and in compliance with rules and regulationspromulgated by the Secretary of the Interior.
5. Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidentalto the performance of his duties and the execution of his powers, including,but not limited to, contracts with the United States, other state agenciesand governmental subdivisions of the Commonwealth.
6. When practicable, consult with, and keep informed, wildlife and boatingconstituent organizations so as to benefit Virginia's wildlife and naturalresources and accomplish the Department's mission.
(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.)