{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/10.1-658.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/10.1-658.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/10.1-658.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/10.1-658.html"}],"law_id":346183,"edition_id":2,"section_id":346183,"structure_id":49704,"section_number":"10.1-658","catch_line":"State interest in resilience and flood control","history":"1989, cc. 468, 497; 2020, c. 493; 2022, cc. 494, 495.","full_text":"A\n\nThe General Assembly declares that storm events and rising tidal waters cause recurrent flooding of Virginia’s land resources and result in the loss of life, damage to property, unsafe and unsanitary conditions and the disruption of commerce and government services, placing at risk the health, safety and welfare of those citizens living in flood-prone areas of the Commonwealth. Flood waters disregard jurisdictional boundaries, and the public interest requires the management of flood-prone areas in a manner which prevents injuries to persons, damage to property and pollution of state waters.\n\nB\n\nThe General Assembly supports and encourages those measures which prevent, mitigate, and alleviate the effects of sea level rise, stormwater surges, and all causes of recurrent flooding and declares that the expenditure of public funds and any obligations incurred in the development of flood control and other civil works projects, the benefits of which may accrue to any county, municipality, or region in the Commonwealth, are necessary expenses of local and state government. The General Assembly shall prioritize measures that use community-scale and regional-scale planning, protect and enhance natural and nature-based approaches, address socioeconomic inequities, and enhance equity through flood resilience and preparedness.\n\nC\n\nThe General Assembly supports and encourages flood resilience through implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and implementation of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan developed pursuant to § 10.1-602.\n\nD\n\nThe Department shall be responsible for the implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan and shall serve as the lead administrator.\n\nE\n\nThe Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan shall be updated at least every five years; shall, at a minimum, be a place-specific plan for mitigating severe and repetitive flooding; and shall, at a minimum, (i) base decision making on the best-available science; (ii) identify and address socioeconomic inequities and strive to enhance equity through the adaptation and protection measures by considering all areas of recurrent flooding; (iii) recognize the importance of protecting and enhancing natural infrastructure and nature-based approaches to flood mitigation, when possible; (iv) utilize community and regional scale planning to the maximum extent possible, seeking region-specific approaches tailored to the needs of individual communities; and (v) include an understanding of fiscal realities and focus on cost-effective solutions for the protection and adaptation of communities, businesses, and critical infrastructure.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1290496,"text":"The General Assembly declares that storm events and rising tidal waters cause recurrent flooding of Virginia’s land resources and result in the loss of life, damage to property, unsafe and unsanitary conditions and the disruption of commerce and government services, placing at risk the health, safety and welfare of those citizens living in flood-prone areas of the Commonwealth. Flood waters disregard jurisdictional boundaries, and the public interest requires the management of flood-prone areas in a manner which prevents injuries to persons, damage to property and pollution of state waters.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1290497,"text":"The General Assembly supports and encourages those measures which prevent, mitigate, and alleviate the effects of sea level rise, stormwater surges, and all causes of recurrent flooding and declares that the expenditure of public funds and any obligations incurred in the development of flood control and other civil works projects, the benefits of which may accrue to any county, municipality, or region in the Commonwealth, are necessary expenses of local and state government. The General Assembly shall prioritize measures that use community-scale and regional-scale planning, protect and enhance natural and nature-based approaches, address socioeconomic inequities, and enhance equity through flood resilience and preparedness.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1290498,"text":"The General Assembly supports and encourages flood resilience through implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and implementation of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan developed pursuant to § 10.1-602.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1290499,"text":"The Department shall be responsible for the implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan and shall serve as the lead administrator.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":1290500,"text":"The Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan shall be updated at least every five years; shall, at a minimum, be a place-specific plan for mitigating severe and repetitive flooding; and shall, at a minimum, (i) base decision making on the best-available science; (ii) identify and address socioeconomic inequities and strive to enhance equity through the adaptation and protection measures by considering all areas of recurrent flooding; (iii) recognize the importance of protecting and enhancing natural infrastructure and nature-based approaches to flood mitigation, when possible; (iv) utilize community and regional scale planning to the maximum extent possible, seeking region-specific approaches tailored to the needs of individual communities; and (v) include an understanding of fiscal realities and focus on cost-effective solutions for the protection and adaptation of communities, businesses, and critical infrastructure.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":49704,"edition_id":2,"name":"Comprehensive Flood Control Program","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":7,"parent_id":49693,"metadata":{"child_laws":3,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:13:49","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:50","permalink":{"id":1371755,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49704,"identifier":"6","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6","url":"\/10.1\/I\/6\/6\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49693,"edition_id":2,"name":"Flood Protection and Dam Safety","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":8,"parent_id":49585,"metadata":{"child_laws":118,"child_structures":11},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:13:36","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:48","permalink":{"id":1371273,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49693,"identifier":"6","token":"10.1\/I\/6","url":"\/10.1\/I\/6\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49585,"edition_id":2,"name":"Activities Administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":49584,"metadata":{"child_laws":357,"child_structures":44},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:11:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:44","permalink":{"id":1370317,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49585,"identifier":"I","token":"10.1\/I","url":"\/10.1\/I\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49584,"edition_id":2,"name":"Conservation","identifier":"10.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":38,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":886,"child_structures":125},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:11:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:44","permalink":{"id":1370315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49584,"identifier":"10.1","token":"10.1","url":"\/10.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":346183,"structure_id":49704,"section_number":"10.1-658","catch_line":"State interest in resilience and flood control","url":"\/10.1-658\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-658","metadata":false},{"id":346184,"structure_id":49704,"section_number":"10.1-659","catch_line":"Flood protection programs; coordination","url":"\/10.1-659\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-659","metadata":false},{"id":346185,"structure_id":49704,"section_number":"10.1-660","catch_line":"Coastal resilience policy; research university collaborative","url":"\/10.1-660\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-660","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":346184,"structure_id":49704,"section_number":"10.1-659","catch_line":"Flood protection programs; coordination","url":"\/10.1-659\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-659","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-658\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1989. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 468 and 497 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1989 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2020, chapter 493<\/a>; in 2022, chapters 494<\/a> and 495<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":346070,"section_number":"10.1-602","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-602\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1371757,"object_type":"law","relational_id":346183,"identifier":"10.1-658","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-658","url":"\/10.1-658\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-658\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/6\/10.1-658","dublin_core":{"Title":"State interest in resilience and flood control","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-658","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The General Assembly declares that storm events and rising tidal waters cause recurrent flooding of Virginia’s land resources and result in the loss of life, damage to property, unsafe and unsanitary conditions and the disruption of commerce and government services, placing at risk the health, safety and welfare of those citizens living in flood-prone areas of the Commonwealth. Flood waters disregard jurisdictional boundaries, and the public interest requires the management of flood-prone areas in a manner which prevents injuries to persons, damage to property and pollution of state waters. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The General Assembly supports and encourages those measures which prevent, mitigate, and alleviate the effects of sea level rise, stormwater surges, and all causes of recurrent flooding and declares that the expenditure of public funds and any obligations incurred in the development of flood control and other civil works projects, the benefits of which may accrue to any county, municipality, or region in the Commonwealth, are necessary expenses of local and state government. The General Assembly shall prioritize measures that use community-scale and regional-scale planning, protect and enhance natural and nature-based approaches, address socioeconomic inequities, and enhance equity<\/span> through flood resilience and preparedness. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The General Assembly supports and encourages flood resilience through implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and implementation of the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan developed pursuant to § 10.1-602<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall be responsible for the implementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan and shall serve as the lead administrator. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan shall be updated at least every five years; shall, at a minimum, be a place-specific plan for mitigating severe and repetitive flooding; and shall, at a minimum, (i) base decision making on the best-available science; (ii) identify and address socioeconomic inequities and strive to enhance equity<\/span> through the adaptation and protection measures by considering all areas of recurrent flooding; (iii) recognize the importance of protecting and enhancing natural infrastructure and nature-based approaches to flood mitigation, when possible; (iv) utilize community and regional scale planning to the maximum extent possible, seeking region-specific approaches tailored to the needs of individual communities; and (v) include an understanding of fiscal realities and focus on cost-effective solutions for the protection and adaptation of communities, businesses, and critical infrastructure. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSTATE INTEREST IN RESILIENCE AND FLOOD CONTROL (\u00a7 10.1-658)\n\nA. The General Assembly declares that storm events and rising tidal waters cause\nrecurrent flooding of Virginia’s land resources and result in the loss of\nlife, damage to property, unsafe and unsanitary conditions and the disruption of\ncommerce and government services, placing at risk the health, safety and welfare\nof those citizens living in flood-prone areas of the Commonwealth. Flood waters\ndisregard jurisdictional boundaries, and the public interest requires the\nmanagement of flood-prone areas in a manner which prevents injuries to persons,\ndamage to property and pollution of state waters.\n\nB. The General Assembly supports and encourages those measures which prevent,\nmitigate, and alleviate the effects of sea level rise, stormwater surges, and\nall causes of recurrent flooding and declares that the expenditure of public\nfunds and any obligations incurred in the development of flood control and other\ncivil works projects, the benefits of which may accrue to any county,\nmunicipality, or region in the Commonwealth, are necessary expenses of local and\nstate government. The General Assembly shall prioritize measures that use\ncommunity-scale and regional-scale planning, protect and enhance natural and\nnature-based approaches, address socioeconomic inequities, and enhance equity\nthrough flood resilience and preparedness.\n\nC. The General Assembly supports and encourages flood resilience through\nimplementation of the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and implementation\nof the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan developed pursuant to §\n10.1-602.\n\nD. The Department shall be responsible for the implementation of the Virginia\nCoastal Resilience Master Plan and Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan and\nshall serve as the lead administrator.\n\nE. The Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan shall be updated at least every\nfive years; shall, at a minimum, be a place-specific plan for mitigating severe\nand repetitive flooding; and shall, at a minimum, (i) base decision making on\nthe best-available science; (ii) identify and address socioeconomic inequities\nand strive to enhance equity through the adaptation and protection measures by\nconsidering all areas of recurrent flooding; (iii) recognize the importance of\nprotecting and enhancing natural infrastructure and nature-based approaches to\nflood mitigation, when possible; (iv) utilize community and regional scale\nplanning to the maximum extent possible, seeking region-specific approaches\ntailored to the needs of individual communities; and (v) include an\nunderstanding of fiscal realities and focus on cost-effective solutions for the\nprotection and adaptation of communities, businesses, and critical\ninfrastructure.\n\nHISTORY: 1989, cc. 468, 497; 2020, c. 493; 2022, cc. 494, 495.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}