Bill > HB487

This bill, titled "State-owned bottomlands; localities, property interest," aims to facilitate flood and storm risk management projects by clarifying property rights. Specifically, it states that any city or county that has entered into an agreement with the Department of the Army for a flood or storm risk management program, damage reduction project, or similar federally authorized initiative, will be considered to hold a legal property interest in the use of state-owned waters, submerged land (bottomlands), or subsurface soils. This legal interest is deemed sufficient to allow them to obtain any necessary easements for the construction or completion of these vital infrastructure projects. The bill also defines "Phase I" by listing specific drawings related to various shoreline and wetland impact analyses, and authorizes the Marine Resources Commission to convey certain real property interests in subaqueous land to the City of Norfolk for these Phase I projects, including permanent and temporary easements, and fee simple interests. Furthermore, it authorizes the Commission to quitclaim any Commonwealth interest in Newton Canal to the City of Norfolk. These conveyances will be made in consultation with the Chief Resilience Officer and the Office of the Attorney General, require approval from the Governor, and be in a form approved by the Attorney General.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB487