Part 790. Initiation of Citizen Suits
4VAC25-130-790.1. Purpose.
Section 45.2-1022 of the Act authorizes the commencement of civil actions by persons having an interest which is or may be adversely affected, in order to compel compliance with provisions of the Act. The purpose of this Part is to prescribe procedures governing the giving of notices required by Subsections (B) and (C) of § 45.2-1022 as a prerequisite to the commencement of such actions.
Statutory Authority
§ 45.2-103 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-03-19 § 790.12, 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; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. March 31, 2022.
4VAC25-130-790.11. Service of notice.
(a) Notice to the Director. Service of notice given to the Director of an alleged violation or of an alleged failure of the Director to perform any act or duty under the Act which is not discretionary with the Director shall be accomplished by registered or certified mail addressed to the Director, Department of Energy, 1100 Bank Street, 8th Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219. A copy of such notice shall be mailed to the Director, Division of Mined Land Repurposing, 3405 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219.
(b) Notice to the Secretary of the Interior. Service of notice given to the Secretary of the Interior shall be accomplished by registered or certified mail addressed to the United States Secretary of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Main Interior Building, Washington, D. C. 20240.
(c) Notice to alleged violator. Service of notice given to an alleged violator of the provisions of the Act or of any regulation in this chapter or of any permit or order issued pursuant thereto, shall be accomplished by registered or certified mail addressed to, or personal service upon, the permittee or managing agent of the coal surface mining operation alleged to be in violation. Where the alleged violator is a corporation, a copy of the notice will be sent by certified or registered mail to the registered agent of such corporation. Where the alleged violator is a government instrumentality or agency, the notice shall be sent by certified or registered mail to the head of such government instrumentality or agency.
(d) Notice served in accordance with the provisions of this Part shall be deemed given on the postmark date, if served by mail, or on the date of receipt, if personally served.
Statutory Authority
§ 45.2-103 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-03-19 § 790.12, 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; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. March 31, 2022.
4VAC25-130-790.12. Contents of notice.
(a) Failure to act. Notice regarding a failure of the Director to perform an act or duty which is not discretionary shall contain the following:
(1) A description of the person's interest which is or may be adversely affected;
(2) The provisions of the Act which require such act or creates such duty;
(3) A specific description of the action taken or not taken by the Director which is claimed to constitute a failure to perform such act or duty; and
(4) The name and address of the person giving the notice.
(b) Violation of Act, rule, regulation, order or permit. Notices to the Director, the Secretary and alleged violators regarding an alleged violation of the Act, any regulation of this chapter, or of any permit or order issued pursuant thereto, shall contain sufficient information to enable the recipient to--
(1) Identify the specific provision of the Act, the regulation, order or permit condition which allegedly has been violated;
(2) The activity alleged to be in violation;
(3) The person or persons responsible for the alleged violation;
(4) The location of the alleged violation; and
(5) The date or dates of such violation.
(c) The notice shall also describe the interest, which is or may be adversely affected, and shall provide the name and address of the person alleging such a violation.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-03-19 § 790.12, 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.