Virginia Law

(a) The Director has the discretionary authority to place or waive a lien against land reclaimed if the reclamation results in a significant increase in the fair market value; except that-

(1) A lien shall not be placed against the property of a surface owner who acquired title prior to May 2, 1977, and who did not consent to, participate in, or exercise control over the mining operation which necessitated the reclamation work.

(2) The basis for making a determination of what constitutes a significant increase in market value or what factual situation constitutes a waiver of lien will be made by the Director pursuant to the Congressional intent expressed in Section 408 of the Federal Act and consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth governing liens.

(3) A lien may be waived if findings made prior to construction indicate that the reclamation work to be performed on private land shall primarily benefit the health, safety, or environmental values of the greater community or area in which the land is located; or if the reclamation is necessitated by an unforeseen occurrence, and the work performed to restore that land will not result in a significant increase in the market value of the land as it existed immediately before the unforeseen occurrence; and

(4) The Director may waive the lien if the cost of filing it, including indirect costs to the Commonwealth, exceeds the increase in fair market value as a result of reclamation activities.

(b) If a lien is to filed, the Director shall, within six months after the completion of the reclamation work, file a statement in the office having responsibility under applicable law for recording judgments and placing liens against land. Such statement shall consist of notarized copies of the appraisals obtained under 4VAC25-130-882.12 and may include an account of moneys expended for the reclamation work. The amount reported to be the increase in value of the property shall constitute the lien to be recorded in compliance with laws of the Commonwealth; Provided, however, That prior to the time of actual filing of the proposed lien, the landowner shall be notified of the amount of the proposed lien and shall be allowed a reasonable time to prepay that amount instead of allowing the lien to be filed against the property involved.

(c) Within 60 days after the lien is filed the landowner may petition under local law to determine the increase in market value of the land as a result of reclamation work. Any aggrieved party may appeal in the manner provided by § 45.2-1040 of the Code of Virginia.