Soil and Water Conservation Districts

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Article 3 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Soil and Water Conservation Districts.” It is part of Chapter 5 “Soil and Water Conservation”, which is part of Subtitle I “Activities Administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation”, which is part of Title 10.1 “Conservation”. It contains 58 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 58 sections.

§ 10.1-506	Power to create new districts and to relocate or define district boundaries; composition of districts
§ 10.1-507	Petitions filed with the Board
§ 10.1-508	Contents and form of petition
§ 10.1-509	Disapproval of petition
§ 10.1-510	Petition approved; Board to give notice of hearing
§ 10.1-511	Adjournment of hearing when additional territory appears desirable
§ 10.1-512	Determination of need for district
§ 10.1-513	Determination that district not needed
§ 10.1-514	Determination of feasibility of operation
§ 10.1-515	Composition of governing body
§ 10.1-516	Status of district directors in event of transfer, merger, or division of districts
§ 10.1-517	Application and statement to the Secretary of the Commonwealth
§ 10.1-518	Action of Secretary on the application and statement; change of name of district
§ 10.1-518.1	Secretary to send copies of certificates to State Board of Elections
§ 10.1-519	Renewal of petition after disapproval or denial
§ 10.1-520	Contracts to remain in force; succession to rights and obligations
§ 10.1-521	Determination of status of district boundaries upon annexation or consolidation
§ 10.1-522	Certificate of Secretary of Commonwealth as evidence
§ 10.1-523	Nominating petitions; posting of notice
§ 10.1-524	Names of nominees furnished electoral board; how ballots printed, etc
§ 10.1-525	Canvassing returns
§ 10.1-526	Persons eligible to vote
§ 10.1-527	Determination of candidates elected
§ 10.1-528	Expenses and publication of results
§ 10.1-529	District directors constitute governing body; qualifications
§ 10.1-529.1	Duties of district directors
§ 10.1-530	Designation of chairman; terms of office; filling vacancies
§ 10.1-531	Quorum and expenses
§ 10.1-532	Employment of officers, agents and employees
§ 10.1-533	Delegation of powers
§ 10.1-534	Information furnished Board
§ 10.1-535	Bonds of officers and employees; records and accounts
§ 10.1-536	Removal from office
§ 10.1-537	Representatives of governing bodies to be invited to consult with directors
§ 10.1-538	District is political subdivision
§ 10.1-539	Surveys and dissemination of information
§ 10.1-540	Demonstrational projects
§ 10.1-541	Preventive and control measures
§ 10.1-542	Financial aid to agencies and occupiers
§ 10.1-543	Acquisition, improvement and disposition of property
§ 10.1-544	Making material and equipment available
§ 10.1-545	Construction, improvement, operation and maintenance of structures
§ 10.1-546	Development of programs and plans
§ 10.1-546.1	Delivery of Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program
§ 10.1-547	Acquisition and administration of projects; acting as agent for United States, etc.; acceptance of gifts
§ 10.1-548	Contracts; rules
§ 10.1-549	Cooperation between districts
§ 10.1-549.1	Virginia Envirothon
§ 10.1-550	State agencies to cooperate
§ 10.1-551	Conditions for extension of benefits
§ 10.1-552	Renting machinery and equipment
§ 10.1-553	Petition by landowners
§ 10.1-554	Hearings
§ 10.1-555	Referendum
§ 10.1-556	Determination of Board
§ 10.1-557	Duty of directors after certification of Board
§ 10.1-558	Effect of issuance of certificate of dissolution
§ 10.1-559	Petitions limited to once in five years