If any creek, cove, or inlet within the jurisdiction of this Commonwealth flows into or runs through the lands of any person, is less than 100 yards in width at mean low water, and is comprised within the limits of his lawful survey, as defined in § 28.2-1202, such person or other lawful occupant shall have the exclusive right to use the creek, cove, or inlet for sowing or planting oysters or other shellfish. However, in the County of Mathews the owners or lawful occupants of land on both sides of any creek, cove, or inlet, except Horn Harbor, Winter Harbor, and Milford Haven, suitable for the planting of oysters, above the point where such creek, cove, or inlet is 100 yards in width, shall have the exclusive right to use such creek, cove, or inlet for planting oysters. The right of the owners or occupants of land on the opposite sides of such creek, cove, or inlet extends to the middle of the channel.
Code 1950, § 28-132; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-116; 1964, c. 393; 1966, c. 656; 1968, cc. 659, 747; 1972, c. 539; 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