Chap. 814.—An ACT for the encouragement and extension of oyster culture in
the tidal waters of Fox island or Fox islands.

Approved March 8, 1894.

Whereas there are in the tidal waters of Fox island or Fox islands
large areas of salt marshes, mud and other flats between the level of
high and low water; and whereas these areas are now unavailable
for oyster culture under the system of leasing adopted by the state
of Virginia, by reason of the large expenditure necessary to fit them
for this purpose: therefore,

1. Beit enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the owner
of Fox island or Fox islands, in the county of Accomac, in the state
of Virginia, or any resident or resident corporation of Virginia, shall,
with the consent of said owner of said Fox island or Fox islands, be,
and is hereby, permitted to undertake the conversion of such tracts
into enclosed areas for the rearing and production of oysters, and all
such tracts as may by reason of such work and expenditure be perma-
nently enclosed and converted to the uses aforesaid shall become
the property in fee simple of the person or persons effecting these
improvements, and title in the same shall be duly affirmed to them
by patent, after paying the fees and complying with the regulations
and requirements governing the entry of public lands; and there-
upon the lands so recovered and acquired in fee simple shall be as-
sessed and taxed as are the agricultural lands of the state of Vir-

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2. Nothing in section one of this act shal] be construed to confer
the right to embrace any natural oyster bed, rock or shoal.

3. All acts or parts of acts inconsistent or in conflict with this act
be, and the same are hereby, repealed.

4, This act shall be in force from its passage.