§ 10.1-406. Virginia Scenic River Board
A. The Virginia Scenic River Board (the Board) is established as an advisory board, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of state government. The Board, which shall have a broad geographical representation, shall be composed of 16 voting members as follows: the Director and 15 members-at-large appointed by the Governor. The 15 members-at-large shall initially be appointed for terms of office as follows: three for a one-year term, four for a two-year term, four for a three-year term, and four for a four-year term. The Governor shall designate the term to be served by each appointee at the time of appointment. Appointments thereafter shall be made for four-year terms. No person shall serve more than two consecutive full terms. Any vacancy shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term. All terms shall begin July 1. In making appointments, the Governor shall select persons suitably qualified to consider and act upon the various special interests and problems related to scenic river issues. The Advisory Board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members-at-large. Members of the Board shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and receive no compensation.
The Director, or his designee, shall serve as executive secretary to the Board.
The Board shall meet at least two times a year with additional meetings at the call of the chairman or the Director. The vice-chairman shall fill the position of chairman in the event that the chairman is not available. A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum of the Board.
The Board shall have no regulatory authority.
B. The Board shall advise the Governor and the Director concerning the protection or management of the Virginia Scenic Rivers System. Upon the request of the Governor, or the Director, the Board shall institute investigations and make recommendations. The Board shall have general powers and duties to (i) advise the Director on the appointment of Scenic River Advisory Committees or other local or regional committees pursuant to § 10.1-401; (ii) formulate recommendations concerning designations for proposed scenic rivers or extensions of existing scenic rivers; (iii) consider and comment to the Director on any federal, state or local governmental plans to approve, license, fund or construct facilities that would alter any of the assets that qualified the river for scenic designation; (iv) assist the Director in reviewing and making recommendations regarding all planning for the use and development of water and related land resources including the construction of impoundments, diversions, roadways, crossings, channels, locks, canals, or other uses that change the character of a stream or waterway or destroy its scenic assets, so that full consideration and evaluation of the river as a scenic resource will be given before alternative plans for use and development are approved; (v) assist the Director in preserving and protecting the natural beauty of the scenic rivers, assuring the use and enjoyment of scenic rivers for fish and wildlife, scenic, recreational, geologic, historic, cultural or other assets, and encouraging the continuance of existing agricultural, horticultural, forestal and open space land and water uses; (vi) advise the Director and the affected local jurisdiction on the impacts of proposed uses of each scenic river and its related land resources; and (vii) assist local governments in solving problems associated with the Virginia Scenic Rivers System, in consultation with the Director.
(1970, c. 468, § 10-170; 1984, c. 739; 1985, c. 346; 1988, c. 891; 2003, c. 240.)
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