West Virginia · statute · W. Va. Code ch. 20 · 539 active provisions
This chapter is enacted to provide a comprehensive program for the exploration, conservation, development, protection, enjoyment and use of the natural resources of the State of West Virginia and may be cited as the state Natural Resources Law.
As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning: “Agency” means any branch, department or unit of the state government, however designated or constituted. “Alien” means any person not a citizen of the United States. “Bag limit” or “creel limit” means the maximum number of wildlife which…
A Division of Natural Resources, the office of director of the Division of Natural Resources and a natural resources commission are hereby created and established in the state government with jurisdiction, powers, functions, services and enforcement processes as provided in this chapter and elsewhere by law.
The director shall be the chief executive officer of the department. Subject to provisions of law, he shall organize the department into such offices, divisions, agencies and other units of activity as may be found by him necessary and desirable in the orderly, efficient and economical administration of the department…
The director shall receive an annual salary as provided in section two-a, article seven, chapter six of this code, payable at least twice per month and shall be allowed and paid necessary expenses incident to the performance of his or her official duties. Prior to the assumption of the duties of his or her office, he o…
The director shall arrange with the General Services Division of the department of finance and administration for adequate office space, accommodations and facilities for the department of natural resources in the State Capitol offices. The department of finance and administration shall make such office accommodations…
In addition to all other powers, duties, and responsibilities granted and assigned to the director in this chapter and elsewhere by law, the director may: (1) With the advice of the commission, prepare and administer, through the various divisions created by this chapter, a long-range comprehensive program for the cons…
A merit system of personnel management shall be established and maintained for all personnel of the department in order to ensure and provide for impartial selection of competent and qualified personnel and to accord to all department employees rights of tenure and advancement during satisfactory discharge of their dut…
Subject to any controlling rules and regulations of the department of finance and administration relating to state fiscal management policies and practices, the director shall establish in the department an adequate budget, finance and accounting system which will currently and accurately reflect the fiscal operations…
(a) The division shall maintain at all times an accurate record of all of its lands, interests in lands, buildings, structures, equipment and other tangible properties and assets. The record shall reflect the location, utility, condition and estimated value of all such properties and assets. The division shall provide…
To further an appreciation and understanding of the outdoors by the youth of this state, the director is hereby authorized to enter into long-term agreements, with the written approval of the Governor, leasing unto the county board of education of any county wherein are situate lands belonging to the department of natu…
The department shall collect, organize and from time to time distribute to the public, through news media or otherwise, interesting facts, information and data concerning the natural resources of the state and the functions and services of the department. The director may organize and promote lectures, demonstrations,…
As departmental projects or in cooperation with other governmental or private agencies, the director may organize and promote surveys and explorations relating to the state's natural resources, their utility, development and protection. The state geological and economic survey commission, the department of mines, the D…
The director shall select and designate a competent and qualified person to be the chief natural resources police officer, who has the title of colonel and who is responsible for the prompt, orderly and effective enforcement of all of the provisions of this chapter. Under the supervision of the director and subject to…
Sections of wildlife resources and of law enforcement are hereby continued within the Division of Natural Resources. Subject to provisions of law, the director of the Division of Natural Resources shall allocate the functions and services of the division to the sections, offices and activities thereof and may from time…
Repealed. Acts, 1989 Reg. Sess., Ch. 135.
(a) The Natural Resources Commission, created and established by §20-1-3 of this code, shall be a public benefit corporation and as such may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, contract and be contracted with, and have and use a common seal. It shall be a commission advisory to the director and to the Division of…
(a) Members of the Natural Resources Commission shall take and subscribe to the public officer's oath prescribed by the Constitution before entering upon the duties of their office. All such executed oaths shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation as…
In addition to all other powers and authority vested in the director, he is hereby authorized and empowered to represent and advance the interests of the State of West Virginia under provisions of acts of Congress now in force or hereafter enacted providing for cooperation between the governments of the United States a…
The state of West Virginia hereby assents to the provisions of the act of Congress entitled, "An act to provide that the United States shall aid the states in wildlife restoration projects and for other purposes," approved September 2, 1937 (Public Law number four hundred fifteen, seventy-fifth Congress), and the direc…
The state of West Virginia hereby assents to the provisions of the act of Congress entitled, "An act to provide that the United States shall aid the states in fish restoration and management projects and for other purposes," (Public Law number six hundred eighty-one, eighty-first Congress), and the director is hereby a…
The Legislature recognizes that there are large areas of this state that are owned by or under the control of the government of the United States. In order to cooperate with the various federal agencies which have jurisdiction over these areas and to effectively enforce rules and regulations to protect these areas, the…
Repealed. Acts, 2010 Reg. Sess., Ch. 32.
(a) The state parks of West Virginia are: (1) Audra; (2) Babcock; (3) Beartown; (4) Beech Fork; (5) Berkeley Springs; (6) Blackwater Falls; (7) Blennerhassett Island Historical; (8) Bluestone; (9) Cacapon Resort; (10) Camp Creek; (11) Canaan Valley Resort; (12) Carnifex Ferry Battlefield; (13) Cass Scenic Railroad; (14…
(a)(1) The Legislature finds that the acquisition of land to construct new or expand existing state parks and state forests is costly. After these areas are constructed, they must be maintained and personnel must be employed to operate the facilities. These costs continue to increase and place a burden on state revenue…