Virginia Law

Except as provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to conduct a regulated activity that results or will result in incidental take of a regulated bird species or regulated habitat without obtaining and complying with a permit from the department. However, no permit shall be necessary for incidental take of regulated bird species or habitats unless the board has adopted a sector-specific plan requiring such permit. The board may adopt sector-specific plans for any of the following categories:

1. Commercial projects, including new construction or expansion:

a. Retail stores or malls;

b. Restaurants;

c. Lodging facilities;

d. Office buildings outside of an existing commercial park;

e. Commercial parks;

f. Medical facilities, including nursing homes, rehabilitation and convalescence centers;

g. Sports facilities; or

h. Other large-scale nonindustrial structures and facilities planned for commerce, health care, hospitality services, government use, or other business use.

2. Industrial projects, including new construction or expansion:

a. Industrial manufacturing buildings outside of an existing industrial park;

b. Industrial parks;

c. Sewage treatment plants;

d. Government facilities, such as warehouses and laboratories;

e. Power generation plants; or

f. Other large-scale noncommercial public, private, or governmental structures or facilities that directly engage in or are connected to the handling, storage, manufacturing, maintenance, treatment, or disposal of materials, products, goods, commodities, or hazardous waste.

3. Oil, gas, and wastewater disposal pits.

4. Methane or other gas burner pipes.

5. Communications towers.

6. Electric transmission and distribution lines.

7. Wind and solar energy projects.

8. Transportation projects.