Section 20. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Coastal area" means the area that includes Back Bay and Virginia's portion of the territorial sea, plus all of the creeks, bays, inlets, and tributaries on the seaside of Accomack County, Northampton County (including areas east of the causeway from Fisherman Island to the mainland), and the City of Virginia Beach (including federal areas and state parks, fronting on the Atlantic Ocean and east and south of the point where the shoreward boundary of the territorial sea joins the mainland at Cape Henry).

"Mainstem Chesapeake Bay" means all tidal waters westward of the shoreward boundary of Virginia's portion of the federal territorial sea, exclusive of the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River.

"Potomac River tributaries" means all the tributaries of the Potomac River that are within Virginia's jurisdiction beginning with, and including, Flag Pond thence upstream to the District of Columbia boundary.

"Tributaries of the mainstem Chesapeake Bay" means those waters outside of the mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay but westward of the shoreward boundary of Virginia's portion of the federal territorial sea.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 12, Issue 14, eff. February 29, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 19, eff. April 30, 2008.

Statutory Authority

§§ 28.2-201 and 28.2-204.1 of the Code of Virginia.