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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
12/3/2024

Part 783. Underground Mining Permit Applications—Minimum Requirements for Information on Environmental Resources

4VAC25-130-783.4. Responsibilities.

(a) It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide, except where specifically exempted in this Part, all information required by this Part in the application.

(b) It is the responsibility of State and Federal governmental agencies to provide information for applications as specifically required by this Part.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 783.4, eff. December 15, 1981; amended, eff. June 28, 1982; October 28, 1982; December 14, 1982; October 11, 1983; December 27, 1983; May 8, 1984; June 22, 1984; August 2, 1984; October 16, 1985; January 7, 1987; July 22, 1987; November 25, 1987; October 12, 1988; December 26, 1990; July 1, 1991; July 17, 1991; November 20, 1991; July 7, 1992; May 5, 1993; October 19, 1994.

4VAC25-130-783.11. General requirements.

Each permit application shall include a description of the existing, premining environmental resources within the proposed permit area and adjacent areas that may be affected or impacted by the proposed underground mining activities.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 783.11, eff. December 15, 1981; amended, eff. June 28, 1982; October 28, 1982; December 14, 1982; October 11, 1983; December 27, 1983; May 8, 1984; June 22, 1984; August 2, 1984; October 16, 1985; January 7, 1987; July 22, 1987; November 25, 1987; October 12, 1988; December 26, 1990; July 1, 1991; July 17, 1991; November 20, 1991; July 7, 1992; May 5, 1993; October 19, 1994.

4VAC25-130-783.12. General environmental resources information.

Each application shall describe and identify--

(a) The lands subject to surface coal mining operations over the estimated life of those operations and the size, sequence, and timing of the subareas for which it is anticipated that individual permits for mining will be sought; and

(b) The nature of cultural and historic resources listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and known archaeological features within the proposed permit and adjacent areas. The description shall be based on all available information, including, but not limited to, data of State and local archaeological, historical, and cultural preservation agencies.

(1) The description shall be based on all available information, including, but not limited to, information from the State Historic Preservation Officer and from local archaeological, historical, and cultural preservation agencies.

(2) The division may require the applicant to identify and evaluate important historic and archaeological resources that may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, through --

(i) Collection of additional information;

(ii) Conduct of field investigations; or

(iii) Other appropriate analyses.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 783.12, eff. December 15, 1981; amended, eff. June 28, 1982; October 28, 1982; December 14, 1982; October 11, 1983; December 27, 1983; May 8, 1984; June 22, 1984; August 2, 1984; October 16, 1985; January 7, 1987; July 22, 1987; November 25, 1987; October 12, 1988; December 26, 1990; July 1, 1991; July 17, 1991; November 20, 1991; July 7, 1992; May 5, 1993; October 19, 1994.

4VAC25-130-783.18. Climatological information.

(a) When requested by the division, the application shall contain a statement of the climatological factors that are representative of the proposed locality of the permit area, including:

(1) The average seasonal precipitation;

(2) The average direction and velocity of prevailing winds; and

(3) Seasonal temperature ranges.

(b) The division may request such additional data as deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Subchapter.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 783.18, eff. December 15, 1981; amended, eff. June 28, 1982; October 28, 1982; December 14, 1982; October 11, 1983; December 27, 1983; May 8, 1984; June 22, 1984; August 2, 1984; October 16, 1985; January 7, 1987; July 22, 1987; November 25, 1987; October 12, 1988; December 26, 1990; July 1, 1991; July 17, 1991; November 20, 1991; July 7, 1992; May 5, 1993; October 19, 1994.

4VAC25-130-783.19. Vegetation information.

(a) The permit application shall contain a map or narrative describing the vegetation within the proposed permit area and within any proposed reference area.

(b) Where a vegetative map is utilized, show the outline of the proposed permit area, and show north point indicator. Sufficient adjacent areas shall be included to allow evaluation of vegetation as important habitat for fish and wildlife for those species of fish and wildlife identified under 4VAC25-130-784.21.

(c) Explain the results of the vegetative survey conducted on the area to be affected by the proposed mining operation. This survey must include as a minimum:

(1) Names, addresses, and qualifications of persons or organization which collected and analyzed the data.

(2) Dates of the collection and analyses.

(3) Names, addresses, and positions of people in private, academic publications, or governmental agencies who contributed to the preparation of the vegetative survey.

(d) Delineate the major plant communities of canopy, shrubs, and understory types.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 783.19, eff. December 15, 1981; amended, eff. June 28, 1982; October 28, 1982; December 14, 1982; October 11, 1983; December 27, 1983; May 8, 1984; June 22, 1984; August 2, 1984; October 16, 1985; January 7, 1987; July 22, 1987; November 25, 1987; October 12, 1988; December 26, 1990; July 1, 1991; July 17, 1991; November 20, 1991; July 7, 1992; May 5, 1993; October 19, 1994.

4VAC25-130-783.21. Soil resources information.

Where the applicant proposes to use selected overburden materials as a supplement or substitute for topsoil, the application shall provide results of the analyses, trials, and tests required under 4VAC25-130-784.13.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 783.21, eff. December 15, 1981; amended, eff. June 28, 1982; October 28, 1982; December 14, 1982; October 11, 1983; December 27, 1983; May 8, 1984; June 22, 1984; August 2, 1984; October 16, 1985; January 7, 1987; July 22, 1987; November 25, 1987; October 12, 1988; December 26, 1990; July 1, 1991; July 17, 1991; November 20, 1991; July 7, 1992; May 5, 1993; October 19, 1994.

4VAC25-130-783.22. Land-use information.

(a) The application shall contain a statement of the condition, capability, and productivity of the land which will be affected by surface operations and facilities within the proposed permit area, including--

(1) A map and supporting narrative of the uses of the land existing at the time of the filing of the application. If the premining use of the land was changed within five years before the anticipated date of beginning the proposed operations, the historic use of the land shall also be described.

(2) A narrative of land capability and productivity, which analyzes the land-use description under Paragraph (a) of this section in conjunction with other environmental resources information required under this Part. The narrative shall provide analysis of:

(i) The capability of the land before any mining to support a variety of uses, giving consideration to soil and foundation characteristics, topography, vegetative cover and the hydrology of the area proposed to be affected by surface operations or facilities; and

(ii) The productivity of the area proposed to be affected by surface operations and facilities before mining, expressed as average yield of food, fiber, forage, or wood products from such lands obtained under high levels of management. The productivity shall be determined by yield data or estimates for similar sites based on current data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or appropriate State natural resources or agricultural agencies specified by the division.

(b) The application shall state whether the proposed permit area has been previously mined, and, if so, the following information, if available:

(1) The type of mining method used;

(2) The coal seams or other mineral strata mined;

(3) The extent of coal or other minerals removed;

(4) The approximate dates of past mining; and

(5) The uses of the land preceding mining.

(c) The application shall contain a description of the existing land uses and land use classifications under local law, if any, of the proposed permit and adjacent area.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 783.22, eff. December 15, 1981; amended, eff. June 28, 1982; October 28, 1982; December 14, 1982; October 11, 1983; December 27, 1983; May 8, 1984; June 22, 1984; August 2, 1984; October 16, 1985; January 7, 1987; July 22, 1987; November 25, 1987; October 12, 1988; December 26, 1990; July 1, 1991; July 17, 1991; November 20, 1991; July 7, 1992; May 5, 1993; October 19, 1994.

4VAC25-130-783.24. Maps; general requirements.

The permit application shall include maps showing--

(a) All boundaries of lands and names of present owners of record of those lands, both surface and subsurface, included in or contiguous to the permit area;

(b) The boundaries of land within the proposed permit area upon which the applicant has the legal right to enter and begin underground mining activities;

(c) The boundaries of all areas proposed to be affected over the estimated total life of the proposed underground mining activities, with a description of size, sequence, and timing of the mining of subareas for which it is anticipated that additional permits will be sought;

(d) The location of all buildings in and within 1,000 feet of the proposed permit area, with identification of the current use of the buildings;

(e) The location of surface and subsurface man-made features within, passing through, or passing over the proposed permit area, including, but not limited to, major electric transmission lines, pipelines, and agricultural drainage tile fields;

(f) The location and boundaries of any proposed reference areas for determining the success of revegetation;

(g) The locations of water supply intakes for current users of surface waters flowing into, out of, and within a hydrologic area defined by the division and those surface waters which will receive discharges from affected areas in the proposed permit area;

(h) Each public road located in or within 100 feet of the proposed permit area;

(i) The boundaries of any public park and locations of any cultural or historical resources listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and known archaeological sites within the permit and adjacent areas;

(j) Each cemetery that is located in or within 100 feet of the proposed permit area;

(k) Any land within the proposed permit area which is within the boundaries of any units of the National System of Trails or the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, including study rivers designated under section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; and

(l) Other relevant information required by the division.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 783.24, eff. December 15, 1981; amended, eff. June 28, 1982; October 28, 1982; December 14, 1982; October 11, 1983; December 27, 1983; May 8, 1984; June 22, 1984; August 2, 1984; October 16, 1985; January 7, 1987; July 22, 1987; November 25, 1987; October 12, 1988; December 26, 1990; July 1, 1991; July 17, 1991; November 20, 1991; July 7, 1992; May 5, 1993; October 19, 1994.

4VAC25-130-783.25. Cross sections, maps and plans.

(a) The application shall include cross sections, maps, and plans showing—

(1) Elevations and locations of test borings and core samplings;

(2) Elevations and locations of monitoring stations used to gather data for water quality and quantity and fish and wildlife in preparation of the application;

(3) Nature, depth, and thickness of the coal seams to be mined, any coal or rider seams above the seam to be mined, each stratum of the overburden, and the stratum immediately below the lowest coal seam to be mined;

(4) All coal crop lines and the strike and dip of the coal to be mined within the proposed permit area;

(5) Location and extent of known workings of active, inactive, or abandoned underground mines, including mine openings to the surface within the proposed permit and adjacent area;

(6) Location and extent of subsurface water, if encountered, within the proposed permit and adjacent area, including, but not limited to horizontal and vertical distribution of aquifers, and portrayal of seasonal differences of head in different aquifers on cross sections and contour maps;

(7) Location of surface water bodies, such as streams, lakes, ponds, springs, constructed or natural drains, and irrigation ditches within the proposed permit and adjacent areas;

(8) Location and extent of existing or previously surface-mined areas within the proposed permit area;

(9) Location and dimensions of existing areas of spoil, waste, coal development waste and noncoal waste disposal, dams, embankments, other impoundments, and water treatment facilities within the proposed permit area;

(10) Location and depth, if available, of gas and oil wells within the proposed permit area and water wells in the permit area and adjacent areas;

(b) Maps, plans, and cross sections included in a permit application which are required by this section shall be prepared by or under the direction of and certified by a qualified registered professional engineer or certified professional geologist, with assistance from experts in related fields, such as land surveying and landscape architecture and shall be updated as required by the division.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 783.25, eff. December 15, 1981; amended, eff. June 28, 1982; October 28, 1982; December 14, 1982; October 11, 1983; December 27, 1983; May 8, 1984; June 22, 1984; August 2, 1984; October 16, 1985; January 7, 1987; July 22, 1987; November 25, 1987; October 12, 1988; December 26, 1990; July 1, 1991; July 17, 1991; November 20, 1991; July 7, 1992; May 5, 1993; October 19, 1994; Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 6, eff. January 6, 1999.

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