Virginia Law

(a) Land adversely affected by past coal mining practices may be acquired by the Director with moneys from the Fund if approved in advance by the OSM. The Director shall find in writing that acquisition is necessary for successful reclamation and that-

(1) The acquired land will serve recreation, historic, conservation, and reclamation purposes or provide open space benefits after restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices; and

(2) Permanent facilities will be constructed on the land for the restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.

(b)(1) Coal refuse disposal sites and all coal refuse thereon may be acquired with moneys from the Fund by the Director if approved in advance by the OSM. Prior to the approval of the acquisition of such sites, the Director shall find in writing that the acquisition of such land is necessary for successful reclamation and will serve the purposes of the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program.

(2) Where an emergency situation exists and a written finding as set out in 4VAC25-130-877.14 has been made, the Director may use Fund moneys to acquire lands where public ownership is necessary to meet an emergency situation and prevent recurrence of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.

(c) Land adversely affected by past coal mining practices may be acquired by the Director if the acquisition with moneys from the Fund is an integral and necessary element of an economically feasible plan or project to construct or rehabilitate housing which meets the specific requirements set out in section 407(h) of the Federal Act.

(d) Land or interests in land needed to fill voids, seal abandoned tunnels, shafts, and entryways or reclaim surface impacts of underground or surface mines may be acquired by the Director if he determines that acquisition is necessary under 4VAC25-130-874.12(a), (b), and (c).

(e) The Director shall acquire only such interests in the land as are necessary for the reclamation work planned or the postreclamation use of the land. Interests in improvements on the land, mineral rights, or associated water rights may be acquired if-

(1) The customary practices and laws of the Commonwealth will not allow severance of such interests from the surface estate; or

(2) Such interests are necessary for the reclamation work planned or for the postreclamation use of the land; and

(3) Adequate written assurances cannot be obtained from the owner of the severed interest that future use will not be in conflict with the reclamation to be accomplished.