CHAPTER 319

An Act to prohibit the discharge of oil generally, in certain waters, and
to provide a penalty therefor.
[H 511]

Approved March 11, 1952

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. The following words, as used in this act, shall have the follow-
ing Meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Oil” means any petroleum product or derivative.

(2) “Person” means any individual, association, firm or corporation.

(3) “Waters” means navigable tidal waters.

(4) “Vessel”? means any boat, ship, barge or other floating convey-
ance, however powered.

§ 2. Except in case of emergency imperiling life or property, or
unavoidable accident, collision or stranding, and except as otherwise per-
mitted by any lawful regulation, it shall be unlawful for any person to
discharge, or suffer, or permit the discharge from any vessel of oil by any
method, means, or manner into, upon or under the navigable tidal waters
of the State. Pursuant to such regulations which may be prescribed under
Federal laws or regulations, any lawful body of the State having jurisdic-
tion of the ports of this State is authorized and empowered to regulate the
discharge of oil from vessels in such quantities, under such conditions
and at such times and places as in its opinion will not be deleterious to
health or seafood, or a menace to navigation, or dangerous to persons
or property engaged in commerce on such waters, and for the loading,
handling and unloading of oil. Such body may cooperate with any agency
of the Federal government in the enforcement of this section.

§ 3. Any person who violates the preceding section or any regula-
tion prescribed in pursuance thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding
two thousand five hundred dollars and not less than five hundred dollars,
or by imprisonment not exceeding one year and not less than thirty days,
or by both such fine and imprisonment, for each offense. And any vessel
(other than one owned and operated by the State of Virginia or the
United States) from which oil is discharged in violation of the preceding
section, or any regulation prescribed in pursuance thereof, shall be liable
for the pecuniary penalty specified in this section and the penalty shall
constitute a lien on such vessel.