15.2-4401 - Declaration of policy findings and purpose. - Virginia Statutes

§ 15.2-4401. Declaration of policy findings and purpose.

It is state policy to encourage localities of the Commonwealth to conserveand protect and to encourage the development and improvement of theiragricultural and forestal lands for the production of food and otheragricultural and forestal products. It is also state policy to encouragelocalities of the Commonwealth to conserve and protect agricultural andforestal lands as valued natural and ecological resources which provideessential open spaces for clean air sheds, watershed protection, wildlifehabitat, aesthetic quality and other environmental purposes. It is thepurpose of this chapter to provide a means by which localities may protectand enhance agricultural and forestal lands of local significance as a viablesegment of the local economy and as an important economic and environmentalresource.

(1982, c. 374, § 15.1-1513.2; 1997, c. 587.)