SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2023 SESSION

  • | print version

HB 1950 Wetlands; Virginia Marine Resources Commission to review certain guidelines.

Introduced by: Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Virginia Marine Resources Commission; wetland mitigation site; improving and enhancing tidal wetlands. Directs the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) to review and update its "Guidelines for Establishment, Use and Operation of Tidal Wetland Mitigation Banks in Virginia" (January 1, 1998) and its regulations, Wetlands Mitigation-Compensation Banks and Supplemental Guidelines (the Guidelines). The bill requires VMRC to consider provisions relating to the generation of vegetated and unvegetated wetland credits from wetland creation, restoration, conversion, and enhancement activities; invasive species control; and the establishment of open water channels. The bill requires VMRC to form a stakeholder group for the purpose of reviewing and updating the Guidelines.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Powers and duties of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission; wetland mitigation site; improving and enhancing tidal wetlands. Permits the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to provide for the generation of wetland mitigation credits from wetland restoration and wetland enhancement in the establishment of a wetland mitigation bank. The bill provides that wetland enhancement includes the manipulation of the composition of the wetland plant species of an existing wetland plant community provided such manipulation is for the purpose of removing invasive wetland species and replacing the invasive species with native species. The bill requires the Commission to provide for unvegetated tidal wetland credits when the establishment of unvegetated tidal wetlands is made part of, or required during, the establishment of a wetland mitigation bank. The bill also requires the Commission to consider wetland creation as including wetlands created landward of offshore structures utilized for living shorelines.