Virginia Law

A. The director may issue a notice of violation if he finds a violation of any of the following:

1. Chapter 16 ( § 45.2-1600 et seq.) of Title 45.2 of the Code of Virginia;

2. This chapter;

3. 4VAC25-160 entitled "Virginia Gas and Oil Board Regulation";

4. Any board order; or

5. Any condition of a permit, which does not create an imminent danger or harm for which a closure order must be issued under 4VAC5-150-190.

B. A notice of violation shall be in writing, signed, and set forth with reasonable specificity:

1. The nature of the violation, including a reference to the section or sections of the Act, applicable regulation, order or permit condition which has been violated;

2. A reasonable description of the portion of the operation to which the violation applies, including an explanation of the condition or circumstance that caused the portion of the operation to be in violation, if it is not self-evident in the type of violation itself;

3. The remedial action required, which may include interim steps; and

4. A reasonable deadline for abatement, which may include a deadline for accomplishment of interim steps.

C. The director may extend the deadline for abatement or for accomplishment of an interim step, if the failure to meet the deadline previously set was not caused by the permittee's lack of diligence. An extension of the deadline for abatement may not be granted when the permittee's failure to abate has been caused by a lack of diligence or intentional delay by the permittee in completing the remedial action required.

D. If the permittee fails to meet the deadline for abatement or for completion of any interim steps, the director shall issue a closure order under 4VAC25-150-190.

E. The director shall terminate a notice of violation by written notice to the permittee when he determines that all violations listed in the notice of violation have been abated.

F. A permittee issued a notice of violation may request, in writing to the director, an informal fact-finding hearing to review the issuance of the notice. This written request shall be made within 10 days of receipt of the notice. The permittee may request, in writing to the director, an expedited hearing.

G. A permittee is not relieved of the duty to abate any violation under a notice of violation during an appeal of the notice. A permittee may apply for an extension of the deadline for abatement during an appeal of the notice.

H. The director shall issue a decision on any request for an extension of the deadline for abatement under a notice of violation within five days of receipt of such request. The director shall conduct an informal fact-finding hearing, in accordance with the Administrative Process Act, § 2.2-4019 of the Code of Virginia, no later than 10 days after receipt of the hearing request.

I. The director shall affirm, modify, or vacate the notice in writing to the permittee within five days of the date of the hearing.