A. The authority to adopt regulations necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter is vested in the Director. Such regulations shall be consistent with regulations adopted by the Secretary pursuant to the federal act or in conformity with any court ruling construing such act. The Director may adopt by regulation definitions other than those provided in § 45.2-1000 as necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter. Unless otherwise directed by law, in adopting regulations, the Director shall comply with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) and the Virginia Register Act (§ 2.2-4100 et seq.).
B. In addition to the adoption of regulations under this chapter, the Director may issue or distribute to the public interpretative, advisory, or procedural bulletins pertaining to permit applications or to matters reasonably related thereto without following any of the procedures set forth in the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). Such materials shall be clearly designated as to their nature, shall be provided solely for purposes of public information and education, and shall not have the force of regulations.
C. The authority to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter is vested in the Director. In administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter, the Director shall exercise the following powers in addition to any other powers conferred upon him by law:
1. To supervise the administration and enforcement of this chapter; to make investigations and inspections necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter; to conduct hearings, administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and compel the attendance of witnesses and production of written or printed material as provided for in this chapter; to issue orders and notices of violation; to review and vacate or modify or approve orders and decisions; and to order the suspension, revocation, or withholding of any permit for failure to comply with any provision of this chapter or any regulation adopted hereunder;
2. To administer the program for the purchase and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mine areas pursuant to Article 4 (§ 45.2-1031 et seq.);
3. To encourage and conduct investigations, research, experiments, and demonstrations and to collect and disseminate information relating to coal surface mining and reclamation of lands and waters affected by coal surface mining;
4. To receive any federal, state, or other funds and to enter into any contracts for which funds are available to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and
5. To enter into cooperative agreements with the Secretary to regulate coal surface mining on federal lands.
D. The Division of Mined Land Repurposing shall have the responsibilities provided under this chapter and such duties and responsibilities as the Director may assign or as may be provided for in regulations adopted by the Director.
1979, c. 290, § 45.1-230; 1982, c. 425; 1984, c. 590; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 387, 532.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 10 - Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1979
§ 45.2-1001. Limitations of chapter
§ 45.2-1002. Application of chapter
§ 45.2-1003. Authority and duties of Director
§ 45.2-1004. Training and certification of blasters
§ 45.2-1005. Conflicts of interest prohibited
§ 45.2-1006. Resisting, etc., Director or agent of the Director; penalty
§ 45.2-1007. Coal Surface Mining Regulatory Fund
§ 45.2-1008. Coal exploration operations
§ 45.2-1009. Permit required for coal surface mining operation; term; transfer, etc.
§ 45.2-1010. Form and contents of permit application; fee
§ 45.2-1011. Operation and reclamation plans
§ 45.2-1012. Revision of permits
§ 45.2-1013. Approval or denial of permit
§ 45.2-1014. Public participation in process of issuing or revising permits
§ 45.2-1015. Decision of Director upon permit application; hearing; appeal
§ 45.2-1016. Performance bonds
§ 45.2-1017. Performance standards
§ 45.2-1018. Surface effects of underground coal mining operations
§ 45.2-1019. Inspections and monitoring
§ 45.2-1020. Enforcement of chapter generally
§ 45.2-1021. Civil and criminal penalties
§ 45.2-1022. Citizen suits; rights of citizens to accompany inspectors
§ 45.2-1023. Forfeiture or release of performance bond
§ 45.2-1024. Performance of reclamation operations by Director
§ 45.2-1025. Administrative review of notice or order issued under § 45.2-1020
§ 45.2-1027. Judicial review of final order or decision or decision under § 45.2-1035
§ 45.2-1028. Designating areas unsuitable for coal surface mining
§ 45.2-1029. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits
§ 45.2-1030. Replacement of water supply
§ 45.2-1031. State Reclamation Program
§ 45.2-1032. Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund
§ 45.2-1034. Eligible lands and water; priorities for expenditures
§ 45.2-1036. Commonwealth to have lien for reclamation work
§ 45.2-1037. Perfection of lien; waiver of lien
§ 45.2-1038. Recordation and indexing of lien; notice
§ 45.2-1040. Hearing to determine amount of lien
§ 45.2-1041. Satisfaction of lien
§ 45.2-1042. Miscellaneous powers of Director
§ 45.2-1043. Coal Surface Mining Reclamation Fund
§ 45.2-1044. Participation in Fund
§ 45.2-1045. Initial payments into Fund; renewal payments; bonds
§ 45.2-1046. Assessment of reclamation tax revenues for Fund
§ 45.2-1047. Special assessment
§ 45.2-1048. Collection of reclamation tax and penalties for nonpayment
§ 45.2-1049. Forfeiture of bonds on operations participating in the Fund; alternative remedies
§ 45.2-1050. Reinstatement to the Fund; recovery of Fund expenditures
§ 45.2-1051. Coal Surface Mining Reclamation Fund Advisory Board