4VAC25-130-740.17. Inspection, enforcement and civil penalties.
(a)(1) General requirements. Under an approved cooperative agreement, Subchapter VL shall govern inspection, enforcement and civil penalty activities by the division with respect to surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands, while the requirements of 30 CFR 842, 843 and 845 shall govern the OSM inspection, enforcement and civil penalty activities conducted in oversight of Virginia's program.
(2) The requirements of this section shall not apply to coal exploration on Federal lands subject to the requirements of 43 CFR 3480-3487.
(b) Right of entry.
(1) Persons engaging in coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands shall provide access for any authorized officer of the OSM, the Director, and, as applicable, the Bureau of Land Management or the appropriate Federal land management agency to inspect the operations, without advance notice or a search warrant and upon presentation of appropriate credentials, to determine whether the operations are in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, notices and orders, and terms and conditions of the permit.
(2) Any authorized representative of the Director and, as applicable, the Bureau of Land Management may, at reasonable times and without delay, have access to and copy any records and inspect any monitoring equipment or method of operation required under the Act, this Subchapter and the permit, lease, license or mining plan in accordance with Paragraph (a) of this section.
(3) No search warrant shall be required with respect to any activity under Paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, except entry into a building without consent of the person in control of the building.
(c) Inspections. Inspections shall, to the extent practical, be conducted jointly if more than one government agency is involved. The division shall coordinate inspections by Federal agencies and may request the participation of representatives from other Federal agencies when necessary to ensure compliance with this Subchapter and other applicable Federal laws, regulations and orders.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-03-19 § 740.17, eff. December 15, 1981; amended, eff. June 28, 1982; October 28, 1982; December 14, 1982; October 11, 1983; December 27, 1983; May 8, 1984; June 22, 1984; August 2, 1984; October 16, 1985; January 7, 1987; July 22, 1987; November 25, 1987; October 12, 1988; December 26, 1990; July 1, 1991; July 17, 1991; November 20, 1991; July 7, 1992; May 5, 1993; October 19, 1994.