Virginia. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is an outgrowth of the Department of Conservation and Economic Development which became known as the Department of Conservation and Historic Resources January 1, 1985. The Department was renamed July 1, 1989, with the loss of the Division of Historic Landmarks to its own new Department of Historic Resources.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation traces its origin to the State Commission on Conservation and Development established by the 1926 General Assembly. The original Commission consolidated the powers and duties of the Water Power and Development Commission, State Geological Commission, State Geological Survey, State Geologist, and the State Forester. Since that date numerous state programs have been created within, assigned to, or reassigned from the Department. The Commission was vested with the power to condemn and acquire land and other property for public park purposes.

The following divisions were added in 1928: Geology and Topographic Mapping, Water Resources and Power, Forestry, History and Archeology, and Advertising and Publicity. The Commission was given additional power to acquire, by eminent domain if necessary, areas or properties of scenic beauty, recreational utility, or historic interest which should be preserved for the people of the state.

From 1938-1948, the Commission was known as the Virginia Conservation Commission. On March 30, 1948, the agency became the Department of Conservation and Development, with an advisory Board appointed by the governor.

In 1958 the Department was renamed the Department of Conservation and Economic Development, and the board became a policy-making body. The divisions were: Forestry, Mineral Resources, Parks, Water Resources, Industrial Development, Public Relations and Advertising.

The Division of Water Resources transferred to the State Water Control Board July 1, 1972, and the Division of Litter Control was established July 1, 1977. In 1980 the agency was given the responsibility to provide staff assistance to the newly established Commission on Conservation and Development of Public Beaches.

The next major change became effective January 1, 1985, with the name change to Department of Conservation and Historic Resources, and the board changed to an advisory role. At the same time, the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission were added. Losses were the Division of Economic Development and the Division of Mineral Resources, both becoming departments, and the Division of Tourism and the Virginia Film Office.

In 1986, the Division of Forestry also became a department and the Dam Safety Program was transferred into the agency under soil and water conservation. Another loss occurred July 1, 1987, with the transfer of the Division of Litter Control to the Department of Waste Management. Chippokes Plantation Farm Foundation was transferred into the agency in 1988.

An act of the General Assembly approved April 20, 1988, recodified all conservation statutes administered by the agency and brought them together in the Code under title 10.1, subtitle I. The following year the Assembly approved the continuation of the agency under the new name of Department of Conservation and Recreation, with the removal of the Historic Landmarks Commission and its renaming as the Division of Historic Resources to form its own department, effective July 1, 1989.

Present divisions include the Natural Heritage Program which acquires land for public use; Planning and Recreation Resources, which inventories areas that have endangered plant and animal life; Soil and Water Conservation, including the Federal Flood Insurance Program and the shoreline advisory program; and State Parks. Scenic rivers and Virginia byways, caves, and waterfalls are all part of agency responsibility.

Publications include pamphlets and brochures on the park system, 4-H guides, maps, and Grassroots, a quarterly newsletter on soil and water conservation.

From the description of Agency history. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145407173