Whenever leased oyster ground in the Lynnhaven River and its tributaries has been condemned by the Commissioner of the State Department of Health for not less than 180 consecutive days, other than regular seasonal condemnation, the lessee, after prior written notice to the Commission, may choose not to pay the rent on the condemned acreage for the year immediately following the year in which the one hundred eightieth day of condemnation occurs. This choice may continue until the condemnation is terminated. However, if the lessee makes such a choice, (i) oysters or clams shall not be taken from such leased area by the lessee for any reason during the condemnation period; (ii) the lease shall continue to run; and (iii) the lessee may renew the lease as provided by law. The Commissioner may not make a new lease assignment or transfer an existing lease that lies wholly or partially within a condemned area unless the applicant executes a release that he will not exercise his rights under this section for the duration of the lease.
1976, c. 557, § 28.1-109.1; 1992, c. 836.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters
§ 28.2-600. Riparian planting ground assignments; eligibility; fee
§ 28.2-601. Riparian assignments; entitlements; obligations
§ 28.2-602. Riparian assignments; special terms and conditions
§ 28.2-603. General oyster planting grounds
§ 28.2-603.1. Temporary enclosures on leased ground
§ 28.2-603.2. Commissioner to provide notice
§ 28.2-604. Eligible applicants
§ 28.2-605. Application for assignment
§ 28.2-606. Notice of application
§ 28.2-607. Survey and marking of ground
§ 28.2-608. Application, surveying, and recording fees
§ 28.2-609. Restrictions on assigned acreage and applications
§ 28.2-610. Restriction on acreage owned or operated
§ 28.2-612. Payment of annual rental; penalty for default
§ 28.2-615. Payment of costs for service, etc.
§ 28.2-616. Possession gives no preference as to assignment
§ 28.2-617. Recordation of plat
§ 28.2-619. When leases become vacant
§ 28.2-621. Effect of proposal for navigation project
§ 28.2-622. Consolidation of lease
§ 28.2-623. Excusing rent payment on condemned oyster grounds in the Lynnhaven River and tributaries
§ 28.2-624. Public rocks, etc., not to be used or staked off; penalty
§ 28.2-625. Transfer or assignment
§ 28.2-626. Refund of rent paid under mistake
§ 28.2-627.1. Oyster Leasing, Conservation, and Repletion Programs Fund
§ 28.2-628. Condemnation of oyster bottoms and grounds
§ 28.2-629. Rights of owner to waters within lawful survey
§ 28.2-630. Rights of riparian owners to build bulkhead or wharf
§ 28.2-632. Public clamming grounds
§ 28.2-633. Bathing grounds; assignment; rental
§ 28.2-634. Nonresidents; taking, planting oysters prohibited; penalty
§ 28.2-635. Residents not to be associated with nonresident
§ 28.2-636. Leasing of certain bottoms in Rappahannock River prohibited
§ 28.2-638. Authority of Governor to authorize dredging of channel in navigable waters
§ 28.2-639. Certain public oyster rocks in Rappahannock River
§ 28.2-640. Declaring certain grounds in Mobjack Bay public oyster rocks
§ 28.2-649. Acts which remain in force
§ 28.2-650. Dredging clams in polluted areas for replanting in public clamming grounds