Virginia Law

(a) If the permittee refuses or is unable to conduct reclamation of an unabated violation, fails to comply with the terms of the permit, or defaults on the conditions under which the bond was accepted, the division shall take the following action to forfeit all or part of a bond or bonds for the permit area or a portion of the permit area:

(1) Send written notification by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the permittee and the surety on the bond, if any, informing them of the determination to forfeit all or part of the bond, including the reasons for the forfeiture and the amount to be forfeited. The amount shall be based on the estimated total cost of achieving the reclamation plan requirements.

(2) Advise the permittee and surety, if applicable, of the conditions under which forfeiture may be avoided. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to--

(i) Agreement by the permittee or another party to perform reclamation operations in accordance with a compliance schedule acceptable to the division, which meets the conditions of the permit, the reclamation plan, and demonstrates that such party has the ability to satisfy the conditions; or

(ii) The division may allow a surety to complete the reclamation plan if the surety can demonstrate an ability to complete the reclamation in accordance with the approved reclamation plan. Except where the division may approve partial release authorized under 4VAC25-130-800.40, no surety liability shall be released until successful completion of all reclamation under the terms of the permit, including applicable liability periods of 4VAC25-130-800.13.

(b) In the event forfeiture of the bond is required by this section, the division shall:

(1) Proceed to collect the forfeited amount as provided by Virginia law for the collection of defaulted bonds or other debts if actions to avoid forfeiture have not been taken, or if rights of appeal, if any, have not been exercised within a time established by the division, or if such appeal, if taken, is unsuccessful.

(2) Use funds collected from bond forfeiture to complete the reclamation plan on the permit area.

(c) Upon default, the division may cause the forfeiture of any and all bonds deposited to complete reclamation for which the bonds were posted. Unless specifically limited, as provided in 4VAC25-130-800.11(b)(3), bond liability shall extend to the entire permit area under conditions of forfeiture.

(d)(1) In the event the estimated amount forfeited is insufficient to pay for the full cost of reclamation, the permittee shall be liable for the remaining costs. The division may complete, or authorize completion of, reclamation of the bonded area and may recover from the permittee all costs of reclamation in excess of the amount forfeited.

(2) In the event the amount of performance bond forfeited was more than the amount necessary to complete reclamation, the unused funds shall be returned by the division to the party from whom they were collected.