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CHAPTER 20. NATURAL RESOURCES

• §20-1-1 Purposes and objects of chapter; how chapter cited.
• §20-1-2 Definitions.
• §20-1-3 Division of natural resources, office of director and commission established.
• §20-1-4 Director to be chief executive officer; appointment, term and qualifications; vacancy; removal.
• §20-1-5 Salary, expenses, oath and bond of director.
• §20-1-6 Offices and office hours.
• §20-1-7 Additional powers, duties and services of director.
• §20-1-8 Personnel management.
• §20-1-9 Fiscal management.
• §20-1-10 Property management.
• §20-1-10a Authority to convey land to county board of education for educational purposes.
• §20-1-11 Public relations.
• §20-1-12 Surveys and planning.
• §20-1-13 Repealed
• §20-1-14 Sections within division.
• §20-1-15 Repealed
• §20-1-16 Natural resources commission -- Generally.
• §20-1-17 Natural Resources Commission -- Organization and services.
• §20-1-18 Government cooperation; projects; finances; properties.
• §20-1-18a Cooperation with federal government in wildlife restoration and management.
• §20-1-18b Cooperation with federal government in fish restoration and management.
• §20-1-18c Cooperation with federal government in management of federal lands within the state.
• §20-1-18d United States geological survey continued and reestablished.
• §20-1-19 West Virginia state parks and state forests.
• §20-1-20 Limitations on state parks and state forests; exceptions.
• §20-1-21 Continuation of the division of natural resources.
• §20-1A-1 Repealed
• §20-1A-2 Repealed
• §20-1A-3 Repealed
• §20-1A-4 Repealed
• §20-1A-5 Repealed
• §20-1A-6 Repealed
• §20-1A-7 Adopt a state park or forest program.
• §20-1A-8 Repealed
• §20-1A-9 Repealed
• §20-2-1 Declaration of policy.
• §20-2-1a Wildlife resources division; organization and administration.
• §20-2-2 Violations of article.
• §20-2-2a Interference with hunters, trappers and fishermen.
• §20-2-3 State ownership of wildlife.
• §20-2-4 Possession of wildlife.
• §20-2-5 Unlawful methods of hunting and fishing and other unlawful acts.
• §20-2-5a Forfeiture by person causing injury, death or destruction of game or protected species of animal; replacement values thereof; forfeiture procedures.
• §20-2-5b Exceeding creel limit on trout; other violations of code or rules and regulations for trout fishing; penalties.
• §20-2-5c Protection of bald eagles and golden eagles; unlawful acts; criminal penalties; forfeitures; license revocation.
• §20-2-5d Use of chemicals, biological compounds or devices on free roaming wildlife populations for fertility control.
• §20-2-5e Assessment fee for decoy animals.
• §20-2-5f Nonresident dog training for coon hunting; training season.
• §20-2-5g Use of a crossbow by certain physically disabled persons.
• §20-2-6 Carrying gun on landowner's land.
• §20-2-6a Carrying a concealed handgun.
• §20-2-7 Hunting, trapping or fishing on lands of another; damages and compensation.
• §20-2-8 Posting unenclosed lands; hunting, etc., on posted land.
• §20-2-9 Unlawful posting of lands.
• §20-2-10 Destruction, etc., of signs posted under chapter.
• §20-2-11 Sale of wildlife; transportation of same.
• §20-2-12 Transportation of wildlife out of state; penalties.
• §20-2-13 Importation of wildlife; certification and inspection of imported wildlife.
• §20-2-14 Propagation of wildlife for commercial purposes.
• §20-2-15 Permit to kill deer or other wildlife causing damage to cultivated crops, trees, commercial nurseries, homeowners' shrubbery and vegetable gardens; weapon restrictions.
• §20-2-16 Dogs chasing deer.
• §20-2-17 Hunting fur-bearing animals; possession of fur; disturbing traps of another.
• §20-2-18 Number and types of traps.
• §20-2-19 Marking of traps.
• §20-2-19a Trappers authorized to possess only twenty-two caliber firearm on Sundays.
• §20-2-20 Trapping beaver.
• §20-2-21 Reporting beaver pelts taken; tags.
• §20-2-22 Tagging, removing, transporting and reporting bear, bobcat, deer, wild boar and wild turkey.
• §20-2-22a Hunting, tagging and reporting bear; procedures applicable to property destruction by bear; penalties.
• §20-2-23 Outfitters and guides -- Generally; definitions.
• §20-2-23a Whitewater commission; powers and duties of commission and division of natural resources; allocations; civil and criminal penalties for violations.
• §20-2-23b Whitewater study and improvement fund.
• §20-2-23c Voluntary contributions to whitewater advertising and promotion fund.
• §20-2-23d Bond; revocation of license; licensing carrying requirement; criminal penalties.
• §20-2-23e Implementation of allocation methodology.
• §20-2-23f Continuing the whitewater commission.
• §20-2-24 Outfitters and guides -- Qualifications.
• §20-2-25 Same -- License applications; national forest requirements.
• §20-2-26 Same -- License fee; bond; revocation of license; penalties.
• §20-2-27 Necessity for license.
• §20-2-28 When licenses or permits not required.
• §20-2-29 Conservation of species and request for public records.
• §20-2-30a Certificate of training; falsifying, altering, forging, counterfeiting or uttering training certificate; penalties.
• §20-2-31 Size and form of license and tag; contents; unlawful to alter licenses or permits; penalty.
• §20-2-32 Issuance of licenses; duplicate licenses.
• §20-2-33 Authority of Director to designate agents to issue licenses; bonds; fees.
• §20-2-33b Electronic application donation to fund the Coyote Management Program.
• §20-2-34 Disposition of license fees and donations; reports of agents; special funds and uses.
• §20-2-35 Period during which license valid.
• §20-2-36 When license, related documents, and picture identification to be carried; using license of another; transferring license to another.
• §20-2-36a Hunting or fishing when license revoked; penalty.
• §20-2-37 Display of license, etc., by persons in possession of hunting, fishing, etc., paraphernalia.
• §20-2-38 Refusal or revocation of license or permit.
• §20-2-38a Suspension of license or permit for failure to pay fines or penalties imposed by magistrate court.
• §20-2-39 Repealed
• §20-2-40 Repealed
• §20-2-40a Repealed
• §20-2-40b Repealed
• §20-2-41 Repealed
• §20-2-42 Effective date and indexing of license and stamp fees.
• §20-2-42a Class A resident hunting and trapping license.
• §20-2-42b Class B resident fishing license.
• §20-2-42c Class C courtesy statewide hunting and fishing license.
• §20-2-42d Class E nonresident hunting and trapping license.
• §20-2-42e Class EE nonresident bear hunting license.
• §20-2-42f Class F nonresident fishing license.
• §20-2-42g Class H nonresident small game hunting license.
• §20-2-42h Class J nonresident small game shooting preserve license.
• §20-2-42i Class LL nonresident one-day fishing license.
• §20-2-42j Class X resident hunting, fishing and trapping license.
• §20-2-42k Class XJ resident junior and Class XXJ nonresident junior hunting, fishing and trapping license.
• §20-2-42l Class A-l small arms hunting stamp.
• §20-2-42m Class I nonresident national forest hunting, trapping and fishing stamp.
• §20-2-42n Class N resident and Class NN nonresident antlerless deer hunting stamp.
• §20-2-42o Class O resident and Class OO nonresident trout fishing stamp.
• §20-2-42p Class RG resident and Class RRG nonresident gun deer hunting stamp for an additional deer.
• §20-2-42q Class RB resident and Class RRB nonresident archery deer hunting stamp for an additional deer.
• §20-2-42r Class RM resident and Class RRM nonresident muzzle-loader deer hunting stamp for an additional deer.
• §20-2-42s Class UU nonresident archery deer hunting stamp.
• §20-2-42t Class VV nonresident muzzle-loading deer hunting stamp.
• §20-2-42u Class WW nonresident turkey hunting stamp.
• §20-2-42v Class BG resident big game stamp.
• §20-2-42w Class Y special crossbow hunting permit for certain disable persons.
• §20-2-43 Repealed
• §20-2-44 Free fishing days.
• §20-2-44a Repealed
• §20-2-44b Bear damage stamp; proceeds to be paid into bear damage fund; purposes, etc.
• §20-2-45 Repealed
• §20-2-46 Repealed
• §20-2-46a Repealed
• §20-2-46b Repealed
• §20-2-46c Repealed
• §20-2-46d Repealed
• §20-2-46e Class Q special hunting permit for disabled persons.
• §20-2-46f Class DT special hunting and fishing license for persons with a life-threatening condition.
• §20-2-46g Repealed
• §20-2-46h Repealed
• §20-2-46i Repealed
• §20-2-46j Repealed
• §20-2-46k Repealed
• §20-2-46l Repealed
• §20-2-46m Repealed
• §20-2-47 License for private game farm for propagating animals and birds for commercial purposes.
• §20-2-48 License for private plant or pond for propagating fish, frogs, turtles and other forms of aquatic life for commercial purposes.
• §20-2-49 Licenses for dealers in furs, pelts, etc.
• §20-2-50 Permit to hunt, kill, etc., wildlife for scientific or propagation purposes.
• §20-2-50a Wildlife damage control agents; licensing.
• §20-2-51 Permit for keeping pets.
• §20-2-52 Permits for roadside menageries.
• §20-2-53 License for privately owned commercial fishing preserve.
• §20-2-54 License for privately-owned commercial shooting preserves.
• §20-2-55 License to catch and sell minnows or other bait fish.
• §20-2-56 Permit to hold a field trial, shoot-to-retrieve field trial, water race or wild hunt; license exemption.
• §20-2-56a Bird dog training permit.
• §20-2-57 Negligent shooting, wounding or killing of livestock while hunting; criminal violations; penalty.
• §20-2-57a Repealed
• §20-2-57b Prohibition against hunting while intoxicated; offense of hunting while intoxicated, creating offense of shooting another person when hunting while intoxicated; creating misdemeanor and felo
• §20-2-58 Shooting across road or near building or crowd; penalty.
• §20-2-59 License to take fish and mussels for commercial purposes in certain waters.
• §20-2-60 Required attire for deer hunters; exemption; penalty.
• §20-2-61 Repealed
• §20-2-62 Persons exempt from obtaining hunting and fishing licenses; qualification.
• §20-2-63 Repealed
• §20-2-64 Regulating release of fish, water animal and other aquatic organisms; stocking permit.
• §20-2A-1 Legislative intent.
• §20-2A-2 Voluntary check-off designation.
• §20-2A-3 Contributions credited to special fund.
• §20-2A-4 Use of funds.
• §20-2A-5 Effective date.
• §20-2B-1 Purpose.
• §20-2B-2 Board created; composition.
• §20-2B-2a Ohio river management fund advisory board created; composition; responsibilities.
• §20-2B-3 Source of fund assets.
• §20-2B-4 Status of fund; expenditures from the fund.
• §20-2B-5 Accumulation of investment income; how expenditures made; fund exclusive of other receipts andappropriations; dissolution of department.
• §20-2B-6 Expenditure of funds for specific and general purposes.
• §20-2B-7 Lifetime hunting, fishing and trapping licenses created.
• §20-2B-8 Privileges of lifetime licensees.
• §20-2B-9 Class CS resident conservation stamp; purposes, etc.
• §20-2B-10 Class CS/LE nonresident conservation law-enforcement and sports education stamp.
• §20-2C-1 Governor's authority to execute.
• §20-2C-2 When and how compact becomes operative.
• §20-2C-3 Compensation and expenses of compact administrator.
• §20-3-1 Repealed
• §20-3-3 Establishment of wildlife areas; leasing lands therefor.
• §20-3-4 Authority and duties of director of the division of forestry and others as to forest fires; expenditures for forest fire control; limited liability of certain persons fighting forest fires.
• §20-3-5 Forest fire seasons; permits for fires; prohibited fires; closure of forests.
• §20-3-6 Failure of person to extinguish fire started or used by him or her; throwing lighted material on forest land; enforcement by state fire marshal; penalties.
• §20-3-7 Starting fire on lands of another; penalties.
• §20-3-8 Duty of railroad company to protect against fires.
• §20-3-9 Right of railroad company to clear land adjacent to right-of-way.
• §20-3-10 Spark arresters for sawmills, etc.; risk and hazard reduction to protect against fires; underground coal fires.
• §20-3-11 Recovery of costs incurred in fighting fires; landowners responsibility to extinguish fires.
• §20-3-12 Timberland and forest land defined.
• §20-3-13 Director authorized to secure federal cooperation; annual appropriation.
• §20-3-14 Financial assistance from owners of forest lands; expenditures by director.
• §20-3-15 Owner not relieved from civil liability for damage from fire.
• §20-3-16 Prima facie evidence of negligence in certain actions for injury due to fires.
• §20-3-17 Disposition of proceeds of national forests.
• §20-3-17a Same -- Counties embracing Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks national recreation area.
• §20-3-18 Disposition of flood control, navigation and allied funds from the federal government.
• §20-3-19 Protection of forests against destructive insects and diseases; purposes and intent of section.
• §20-3-20 Governor's authority to execute.
• §20-3-21 When and how compact becomes operative.
• §20-3-22 Compact administration; advisory committee.
• §20-3-23 Compact committee powers and duties; cooperation therewith.
• §20-3-24 Other powers of state forester supplementary.
• §20-3-26 When and how compact becomes operative.
• §20-3-27 Compact administration.
• §20-3-28 Compact committee powers and duties; cooperation therewith.
• §20-3-29 Other powers supplementary.
• §20-3A-1 Legislative purpose.
• §20-3A-2 Definitions.
• §20-3A-3 Duties of ski area operators with respect to ski areas.
• §20-3A-4 Responsibilities of passengers.
• §20-3A-5 Duties of skiers.
• §20-3A-6 Liability of ski area operators.
• §20-3A-7 Liability of passengers.
• §20-3A-8 Liability of skiers.
• §20-3A-9 Competition.
• §20-3B-1 Legislative purposes.
• §20-3B-2 Definitions.
• §20-3B-3 Duties of commercial whitewater outfitters and commercial whitewater guides.
• §20-3B-4 Duties of participants.
• §20-3B-5 Liability of commercial whitewater outfitters and commercial whitewater guides.
• §20-4-1 Legislative purpose.
• §20-4-2 Definitions.
• §20-4-3 Duties of horsemen.
• §20-4-4 Duties of participants.
• §20-4-5 Liability of horsemen.
• §20-4-6 Liability of participants.
• §20-4-7 Applicability of article.
• §20-4A-1 Waters where diving is permitted; exceptions.
• §20-4A-2 "Diver down" flag required; flag specifications.
• §20-4A-3 Penalties.
• §20-5-1 Section of parks and recreation; chief of section; existing obligation; appropriations.
• §20-5-2 Powers of the director with respect to the section of parks and recreation.
• §20-5-3 Section of parks and recreation; purpose; powers and duties generally.
• §20-5-4 Definitions; state parks and recreation system.
• §20-5-5 Authority of director to issue park development revenue bonds; grants and gifts.
• §20-5-6 Tax exemption.
• §20-5-7 Investment in notes, bonds and security interests.
• §20-5-8 Disclaimer of any liability of state of West Virginia.
• §20-5-9 Repealed
• §20-5-10 Proceeds of park development revenue bonds, grants and gifts.
• §20-5-11 Authority of director to pledge revenue from recreational facilities as security.
• §20-5-12 Management and control of project.
• §20-5-13 Provisions of constitution and law observed; what approval required.
• §20-5-14 Restaurants and other facilities.
• §20-5-15 Authority to enter into certain operational contracts; terms and conditions; necessity for legislative notice and public hearing before certain facilities are placed under contract.
• §20-5-16 Authority to enter into contracts with third parties to construct recreational facilities and cabins; public comment.
• §20-5-17 Correlation of projects and services.
• §20-5-18 Discounts for West Virginia residents over the age of sixty-two.
• §20-5-19 Discounts for West Virginia residents who are totally and permanently disabled.
• §20-5-20 Continuation of the parks section of division of natural resources.
• §20-5-21 Legislative findings relating to the historical town of Cass; powers of the director to preserve the integrity of the town and to promulgate rules therefor.
• §20-5-22 Powers and duties of the director relating to oil and gas access roads on state forests.
• §16720-5A-1to20-5A-24 Repealed
• §16720-5B-1to20-5B-17 Repealed
• §16720-5C-1to20-5C-24 Repealed
• §16720-5D-1to20-5D-19 Repealed
• §16720-5E-1to20-5E-25 Repealed
• §16720-5F-1to20-5F-12 Repealed
• §16720-5G-1to20-5G-6 Repealed
• §16720-5H-1to20-5H-23 Repealed
• §16720-5I-1to20-5I-8 Repealed
• §20-5J-1 Short title.
• §20-5J-2 Legislative findings and purpose.
• §20-5J-3 Definitions.
• §20-5J-4 Commercial infectious medical waste facility prohibited.
• §20-5J-5 Designation of secretary of the department of health and human resources as the state infectious medical waste management primary agency; prohibitions; requiring permits.
• §20-5J-6 Powers of secretary; authority to promulgate rules.
• §20-5J-7 Inspections; right of entry; sampling; reports and analyses; subpoenas.
• §20-5J-8 Enforcement orders; hearings.
• §20-5J-9 Civil actions and injunctive relief.
• §20-5J-10 Regulation of infectious medical waste collectors and haulers by the public service commission; limitation of regulation.
• §20-5K-1 Legislative purpose.
• §20-5K-2 Definitions.
• §20-5K-3 Procedure for public participation.
• §16720-5M-1to20-5M-16 Repealed
• §16720-5N-1to20-5N-13 Repealed
• §16720-6-1to20-6-43 Repealed
• §16720-6A-1to20-6A-2 Repealed
• §16720-6B-1to20-6B-4 Repealed
• §16720-6C-1to20-6C-28 Repealed
• §16720-6D-1to20-6D-28 Repealed
• §20-7-1a Conservation officers salary increase based on length of service.
• §20-7-1b Designation of certain federal law-enforcement officers as special conservation officers.
• §20-7-1c Conservation officers, ranks, salary schedule, base pay, exceptions.
• §20-7-1d Awarding service revolver upon retirement; disposal of service weapon when replaced due to routine wear; and furnishing uniform for burial.
• §20-7-1f Awarding service revolver to special conservation officers upon retirement; furnishing uniform for burial.
• §20-7-2 Qualifications, etc., of conservation officers; right of retired officer to receive complete standard uniform;
• §20-7-3 Powers and duties of other law officers.
• §20-7-4 Powers and duties of conservation officers.
• §20-7-4a Arrest procedure.
• §20-7-4b Record of cases.
• §20-7-5 Enforcement of chapter.
• §20-7-6 Prosecutions under chapter; attorney services; costs.
• §20-7-7 Conspiracy to violate chapter; withholding information; obstructing officers.
• §20-7-8 Seizure and disposition of property used for illegal purpose.
• §20-7-9 Violations of chapter generally; penalties.
• §20-7-10 Justice of peace jurisdiction under chapter.
• §20-7-11 Motorboats and other terms defined.
• §20-7-12 Motorboat identification numbers required; application for numbers; fee; displaying; reciprocity; change of ownership; conformity with United States regulations; records; renewal of certifica
• §20-7-12a Payment of personal property taxes prerequisite to application for certificate or renewal of number; duties of assessors; schedule of motorboat values.
• §20-7-12b Boating safety education certificate.
• §20-7-13 Motorboat classification; required lights and equipment; rules and regulations; pilot rules.
• §20-7-14 Motorboats exempt from numbering.
• §20-7-15 Dealers' and manufacturers' certificate of number; applications and fees.
• §20-7-16 Boat liveries.
• §20-7-17 Motorboat muffling.
• §20-7-18 Care in handling watercraft; duty to render aid after a collision, accident or casualty; accident reports.
• §20-7-18a Negligent homicide; penalties.
• §20-7-18b Operating under influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs; penalties.
• §20-7-18c Implied consent to test; administration at direction of law-enforcement officer.
• §20-7-18d Operation of personal watercrafts.
• §20-7-19 Water skiing and surfboarding.
• §20-7-19a Towing water skiers and towables.
• §20-7-20 Regattas, races and exhibitions; applications and permits.
• §20-7-20a Personal watercraft operation and towing exemptions.
• §20-7-21 Responsibility of owner, etc., for incapable operators of motorboats.
• §20-7-22 General rules and regulations for motorboating; special rules.
• §20-7-22a Agency rule making for personal watercrafts.
• §20-7-23 Local rules.
• §20-7-24 Repealed
• §20-7-25 Repealed
• §20-7-26 Repealed
• §20-7-27 Repealed
• §20-7-28 Repealed
• §20-7-29 Repealed
• §20-7A-1 Definitions.
• §20-7A-2 Vandalism; penalties.
• §20-7A-3 Sale of speleothems unlawful; penalties.
• §20-7A-4 Biological policy; penalties for violation.
• §20-7A-5 Archaeology; permits for excavation; how obtained; prohibitions; penalties.
• §20-7A-6 Liability of owners and agents.
• §20-8-1 Transition in terms; continuity.
• §20-8-2 Transfer of records, appropriations, facilities and other properties and assets.
• §20-8-3 Construction of chapter; severability.
• §20-8-4 Effective date.
• §16720-9-1to20-9-13 Repealed
• §16720-10-1to20-10-8 Repealed
• §16720-10A-1to20-10A-3 Repealed
• §20-11-1 Repealed
• §20-11-2 Repealed
• §20-11-3 Repealed
• §20-11-4 Repealed
• §20-11-5 Repealed
• §20-11-5a Repealed
• §20-11-5b Repealed
• §20-11-6 Repealed
• §20-11-7 Repealed
• §20-11-8 Repealed
• §20-11-9 Repealed
• §20-11-10 Repealed
• §20-11-11 Repealed
• §20-11-12 Repealed
• §20-12-1 Short title.
• §20-12-2 Purpose of article.
• §20-12-3 Definitions.
• §20-12-4 Creation, transfer and duration.
• §20-12-5 Judicial and related actions.
• §20-12-6 Validity.
• §20-12-7 Applicability.
• §20-12-8 Uniformity of application and construction.
• §20-13-1 Short title.
• §20-13-2 Legislative findings and purpose.
• §20-13-3 West Virginia Stream Partners Program created; executive committee identified; program coordination.
• §20-13-4 Stream Partners Program.
• §20-13-5 Grant qualifications.
• §20-13-6 Administering agency support.
• §20-14-1 Legislative findings.
• §20-14-2 Definitions.
• §20-14-3 Creation; appointment of board; terms.
• §20-14-4 Board; quorum; executive director; expenses.
• §20-14-5 Powers of authority.
• §20-14-6 Hatfield-McCoy recreation area rangers.
• §20-14-7 Bonds not a debt of the state.
• §20-14-8 Violation of rules, criminal and civil penalties; use of funds.
• §20-14-9 Limiting liability.
• §20-14-10 Repealed
• §20-15-1 Legislative findings.
• §20-15-2 Definitions.
• §20-15-3 Scope.
• §20-15-4 Duties of authorized outfitters or licensees.
• §20-15-5 Duties of participants.
• §20-15-6 Liability of authorized outfitters and licensees.
• §20-15-7 Liability of participants.
• §20-15-8 Authorized outfitters required to carry insurance.