Virginia Law

A. The applicant shall notify the following parties of a new permit application via certified mail:

1. Property owners within 1,000 feet of the permit boundary.

2. The Chief Administrative Official of the local political subdivision where the prospective mining operation would take place.

3. All public utilities on or within 500 feet of permit boundary.

B. All notifications shall contain:

1. The name of the permit applicant issuing notice and the date of notification;

2. The permit applicant's address, phone number, and other contact information as available;

3. The name and address of the property owner, chief administrative official, or utility receiving the notification;

4. A statement as required by § 45.2-1210 of the Code of Virginia to property owners that requires land owners within 1,000 feet of the permit boundary to be notified that the operator is seeking a mining and reclamation permit from the Department of Energy. The statement shall also note that the mining permit must address department requirements for regrading, revegetation, and erosion controls of mineral mine sites;

5. The location of the proposed mine, the city or county in which it is located, the distance of the nearest town or other easily identified landmark, and the tax map identification number of the parcels to be permitted; and

6. A notice that informs property owners within 1,000 feet of the permit boundary that they have 10 days from receipt of the permit notification to specify written objections or request a hearing. This request shall be in writing and shall be sent to the division. The current address for the division shall be provided on the notification.

C. No permit will be issued until at least 15 days after receipt of the application by the division. If all persons required to receive notice have issued a statement of no objection, the permit may be issued in less than 15 days.

D. Copies of all permit notifications shall be submitted to the division at the time they are mailed to the parties identified in subsection A of this section.

E. Documentation of certified mail receipts of the notifications described in this section shall be included with the permit application.