Part 842. Inspections
4VAC25-130-842.11. Immediate inspections.
(a) An authorized representative of the Director shall immediately conduct an inspection when the authorized representative has reason to believe on the basis of information available to him that there exists a violation of the Act, this chapter, or any condition of a permit or an exploration approval, or that there exists any condition, practice, or violation which creates an imminent danger to the health or safety of the public or is causing or could reasonably be expected to cause a significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air, or water resources.
(b) An authorized representative shall have reason to believe that a violation, condition or practice exists if the facts alleged by the informant would, if true, constitute a condition, practice or violation referred to in Paragraph (a).
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-03-19 § 842.11, 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.
4VAC25-130-842.12. Citizens' requests for inspections.
(a) A person may request an inspection under 4VAC25-130-842.11(a), by furnishing to an authorized representative of the Director a signed, written statement (or an oral report followed by a signed, written statement) giving the authorized representative reason to believe that a violation, condition or practice referred to in 4VAC25-130-842.11(a) exists and setting forth a phone number and address where the person can be contacted.
(b) The identity of any person supplying information to the division relating to a possible violation or imminent danger or harm shall remain confidential with the division, if requested by that person, unless that person elects to accompany the inspector on the inspection, or unless disclosure is required under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Chapter 37 ( § 2.2-3700 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia).
(c) If an inspection is conducted as a result of information provided to the division by a person as described in Paragraph (a) of this section, the person shall be notified as far in advance as practicable when the inspection is to occur and shall be allowed to accompany the authorized representative of the Director during the inspection. It shall be the responsibility of the person to provide any or all safety equipment needed to accompany the division's inspector during the mine site inspection. Such person has a right of entry to, upon and through the coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operation about which he supplied information, but only if he is in the presence of and is under the control, direction, and supervision of the authorized representative while on the mine property. Such right of entry does not include a right to enter buildings without consent of the person in control of the building or without a search warrant.
(d) Within 10 days of the inspection or, if there is no inspection, within 15 days of receipt of the person's written statement, the division shall send the person the following:
(1) If an inspection was made, a description of the enforcement action taken, which may consist of copies of the inspection report and all notices of violation and cessation orders issued as a result of the inspection, or an explanation of why no enforcement action was taken;
(2) If no inspection was conducted, an explanation of the reason why; and
(3) An explanation of the person's right, if any, to informal review of the action or inaction of the division under 4VAC25-130-842.15.
(e) The division shall give copies of all materials in Paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section within the time limits specified in those Paragraphs to the person alleged to be in violation, except that the name of the person supplying information shall be removed unless disclosure of the person's identity is permitted under Paragraph (b) of this section.
Statutory Authority
§ 45.2-103 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-03-19 § 842.15, 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 23, Issue 13, eff. April 4, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 12, eff. March 18, 2009; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. March 31, 2022.
4VAC25-130-842.14. Review of adequacy and completeness of inspections.
Any person who is or may be adversely affected by a surface coal mining and reclamation operation or a coal exploration operation may notify the division in writing of any alleged failure on the part of the division to make adequate and complete or periodic inspections as provided in 4VAC25-130-840.11 and 4VAC25-130-842.11. The notification shall include sufficient information to create a reasonable belief that 4VAC25-130-840.11 and 4VAC25-130-842.11 are not being complied with and to demonstrate that the person is or may be adversely affected. The division shall within 30 days of receipt of the notification determine whether 4VAC25-130-840.11 and 4VAC25-130-842.11 are being complied with, and if not, shall immediately order an inspection to remedy the noncompliance. The division shall furnish the complainant with a written statement of the reasons for such determination and the actions, if any, taken to remedy the noncompliance.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3 and 45.1-230 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-03-19 § 842.14, 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.
4VAC25-130-842.15. Review of decision not to inspect or enforce.
(a) Any person who is or may be adversely affected by a coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operation may ask the division to review informally an authorized representative's decision not to inspect or take appropriate enforcement action with respect to any violation alleged by that person in a request for inspection under 4VAC25-130-842.12. The request for review shall be in writing and include a statement of how the person is or may be adversely affected and why the decision merits review.
(b) The division shall conduct the review and inform the person, in writing, of the results of the review within 30 days of receipt of the request. The person alleged to be in violation shall also be given a copy of the results of the review, except that the name of the person who is or may be adversely affected shall not be disclosed unless confidentiality has been waived or disclosure is required under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
(c) Informal review under this section shall not affect any right to formal review under § 45.2-1025 of the Act or to a citizen's suit under § 45.2-1022 of the Act.
(d) Any person who requested a review of a decision not to inspect or enforce under this section and who is or may be adversely affected by any determination made under subsection (b) of this section may request review of that determination by filing within 30 days of the division's determination an application for formal review and request for hearing under the Virginia Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). All requests for hearing or appeals for review and reconsideration made under this section shall be filed with the Director, Division of Mined Land Repurposing, Department of Energy, 3405 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219.
Statutory Authority
§ 45.2-103 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-03-19 § 842.15, 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 23, Issue 13, eff. April 4, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 12, eff. March 18, 2009; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. March 31, 2022.