West Virginia Code Chapter 20. Natural Resources § 20-13-2. Legislative findings and purpose

The Legislature finds that efforts to restore, protect and utilize West Virginia's rivers and streams for public health, recreation, commercial and habitat uses are most successful when citizens work in partnership with state agencies to manage the state's rivers and streams by combining community resources, local initiative and state agency support.

It is the purpose of the Legislature, therefore, to establish a program to encourage citizens to work in partnership with appropriate state agencies so that the state's rivers and streams: (a) Are safe for swimming, fishing and other forms of recreation; (b) can support appropriate public and commercial purposes; and (c) can provide habitat for plant and animal life.