Virginia Law

(a) Any person who intends to conduct coal exploration operations outside a permit area during which 250 tons or less of coal will be removed shall, before conducting the exploration, file with the division a written notice of intention to explore. Exploration which will take place on lands designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations under Subchapter VF, shall be subject to the permitting requirements under 4VAC25-130-772.12. Exploration conducted under a notice of intent shall be subject to the requirements prescribed under 4VAC25-130-772.13.

(b) The notice shall include-

(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the person seeking to explore;

(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the person's representative who will be present at, and responsible for, conducting the exploration activities;

(3) A narrative describing the proposed exploration area and map, at a scale of 1:24,000 or larger, showing the proposed area of exploration and the general location of drillholes and trenches, existing and proposed roads, occupied dwellings, topographic features, bodies of surface water, and pipelines.

(4) A statement of the period of intended exploration; and

(5) A description of the method of exploration to be used and the practices that will be followed to protect the environment from adverse impacts of coal exploration and to reclaim the area of the exploration activities.

(6) Any person who conducts coal exploration activities pursuant to this section which substantially disturb the natural land surface shall comply with Part 815.