Chap. 281.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 546-b of the Code of Virginia,
with reference to the prevention of forest fires. [S 148]

Approved March 15, 1924.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
five hundred and forty-six-b of the Code of Virginia be amended and
re-enacted so as to read as follows:

Section 546-b. How railroads may remove inflammable material
from lands adjoining right of way.—For the purpose of providing in-
creased protection to forest property from fire originating along rail-
roads, any steam railroad company shall have the right, subject to the
provisions of this section, without lability for trespass to enter upon
forest or brush lands for a distance of fifty feet from the railroad right-
of-way and to clear from such a strip any inflammable material such
as leaves. grass, dead trees, slash and brush, but shall not remove any
valuable timber growth or other things of value without consent of and
recompense to the owner. Not less than fifteen days prior to clearing
such land, the railroad company shall give the owner thereof notice of
its intention, together with a transcript of this section, by letter depos-
ited in the United States mail to his last known address. If the owner
shall not file objections to such clearings with the State corporation
commission within ten days of the date of said notice he shall be deemed
to have given consent. Upon the filing by an owner of such objection
showing cause why such clearing should not be done the corporation
commission shall review the case and may sustain the objection of the
owner or permit the clearing in whole or in part.

The corporation commission may require assistance of the State
forester in furnishing information pertinent to the carrying out of this
section.

Nothing contained in this act shall apply to temporary steam tram
roads used for hauling logs and lumber.