LIS

Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
10/5/2024

Part 843. Enforcement Procedures

4VAC25-130-843.11. Cessation orders.

(a)(1) An authorized representative of the Director shall immediately order a cessation of a coal exploration or a surface coal mining and reclamation operation or of the relevant portion thereof, if the representative finds, on the basis of any inspection, any condition or practice, or any violation of the Act, this chapter, or any condition of a permit or an exploration approval imposed under the Act, or this chapter which:

(i) Creates an imminent danger to the health or safety of the public; or

(ii) Is causing or can reasonably be expected to cause significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air, or water resources.

(2) Surface coal mining operations conducted by any person without a valid surface coal mining permit constitute a condition or practice which causes or can reasonably be expected to cause significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air, or water resources, unless such operations:

(i) Are an integral, uninterrupted extension of previously permitted operations, and the person conducting such operations has filed a timely and complete application for a permit to conduct such operations; or

(ii) Were conducted lawfully without a permit under this chapter because no permit under this chapter has been required for such operations by the division.

(3) If the cessation ordered under Paragraph (a)(1) of this section will not completely abate the imminent danger or harm in the most expeditious manner physically possible, the authorized representative of the Director shall impose affirmative obligations on the permittee to abate the imminent danger or significant environmental harm. The order shall specify the time by which abatement shall be accomplished.

(b)(1) When a notice of violation has been issued under 4VAC25-130-843.12(a) and the permittee fails to abate the violation within the abatement period fixed or subsequently extended by the authorized representative, the authorized representative of the Director shall immediately order a cessation of coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operations, or of the portion relevant to the violation.

(2) A cessation order issued under this Paragraph (b) shall require the permittee to take all steps the authorized representative of the Director deems necessary to abate the violations covered by the order in the most expeditious manner physically possible.

(c) A cessation order issued under Paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section shall be in writing, signed by the authorized representative who issues it, and shall set forth with reasonable specificity: (1) The nature of the condition, practice or violation; (2) the remedial action or affirmative obligation required, if any, including interim steps, if appropriate; (3) the time established for abatement, including a schedule for meeting any interim steps, if appropriate; and (4) a reasonable description of the portion of the coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operation to which it applies. The order shall remain in effect until the condition, practice or violation resulting in the issuance of the cessation order has been abated or until vacated, modified or terminated in writing by an authorized representative of the Director, or until the order expires pursuant to § 45.2-1020 of the Act and 4VAC25-130-843.15.

(d) Reclamation operations and other activities intended to protect public health and safety and the environment shall continue during the period of any order unless otherwise provided in the order.

(e) An authorized representative of the Director may modify, terminate or vacate a cessation order for good cause, and may extend the time for abatement if the failure to abate within the time previously set was not caused by the permittee's lack of diligence.

(f) An authorized representative of the Director shall terminate a cessation order by written notice to the permittee when the representative determines that all conditions, practices or violations listed in the order have been abated. Termination shall not affect the right of the division to assess civil penalties under Part 845 of this chapter for those violations.

(g) Within 60 days after issuing a cessation order, the division shall notify in writing any person who has been identified under 4VAC25-130-773.17(h) and 4VAC25-130-778.13(c) and (d) as owning or controlling the permittee, that the cessation order was issued and that the person has been identified as an owner or controller.

Statutory Authority

§ 45.2-103 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 843.18, 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; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. March 31, 2022.

4VAC25-130-843.12. Notices of violation.

(a) An authorized representative of the director shall issue a notice of violation if, on the basis of an inspection pursuant to § 45.2-1019 of the Act, the representative finds a violation of the Act, this chapter, or any condition of a permit or an exploration approval imposed under the Act, or this chapter, which does not create an imminent danger or harm for which a cessation order must be issued under 4VAC25-130-843.11.

(b) A notice of violation issued under this section shall be in writing, signed by the authorized representative who issues it, and shall set forth with reasonable specificity:

(1) The nature of the violation;

(2) The remedial action required, which may include interim steps;

(3) A reasonable time for abatement, which may include time for accomplishment of interim steps; and

(4) A reasonable description of the portion of the coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operation to which it applies.

(c) An authorized representative of the director may extend the time set for abatement or for accomplishment of an interim step, if the failure to meet the time previously set was not caused by the permittee's lack of diligence. The total time for abatement under a notice of violation, including all extensions, shall not exceed 90 days from the date of issuance, except upon a showing by the permittee that it is not feasible to abate the violation within 90 calendar days due to one or more of the circumstances in subsection (f) of this section. An extended abatement date pursuant to this section shall not be granted when the permittee's failure to abate within 90 days has been caused by a lack of diligence or intentional delay by the permittee in completing the remedial action required.

(d)(1) If the permittee fails to meet the time set for abatement, the authorized representative shall issue a cessation order under 4VAC25-130-843.11(b).

(2) If the permittee fails to meet the time set for accomplishment of any interim step the authorized representative may issue a cessation order under 4VAC25-130-843.11 (b).

(e) An authorized representative of the director shall terminate a notice of violation by written notice to the permittee when the representative determines that all violations listed in the notice of violation have been abated. Termination shall not affect the right of the division to assess civil penalties under Part 845 for those violations.

(f) Circumstances which may qualify a coal exploration or a surface coal mining operation for an abatement period of more than 90 days are:

(1) Where the permittee of an on-going permitted operation has timely applied for and diligently pursued a permit renewal or other necessary approval of designs or plans but such permit or approval has not been or will not be issued within 90 days after a valid permit expires or is required, for reasons not within the control of the permittee;

(2) Where there is a valid judicial or administrative order precluding abatement within 90 days as to which the permittee has diligently pursued all rights of appeal and as to which the permittee has no other effective legal remedy;

(3) Where the permittee cannot abate within 90 days due to a labor strike;

(4) Where climatic conditions preclude abatement within 90 days, or where, due to climatic conditions, abatement within 90 days clearly would cause more environmental harm than it would prevent; or

(5) Where abatement within 90 days requires action that would violate safety standards established by statute or regulation under the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

(g) Whenever an abatement time in excess of 90 days is permitted, interim abatement measures shall be imposed to the extent necessary to minimize harm to the public or the environment.

(h) If any of the conditions in subsection (f) of this section exists, the permittee may request the authorized representative to grant an abatement period exceeding 90 days. The authorized representative shall not grant such an abatement period without the concurrence of the director and the abatement period granted shall not exceed the shortest possible time necessary to abate the violation. The permittee shall have the burden of establishing by clear and convincing proof that he is entitled to an extension under the provisions of 4VAC25-130-843.12 (c) and (f). In determining whether or not to grant an abatement period exceeding 90 days the authorized representative may consider any relevant written or oral information from the permittee or any other source. The authorized representative shall promptly and fully document in the file his reasons for granting or denying the request. The authorized representative's immediate supervisor shall review this document before concurring in or disapproving the extended abatement date and shall promptly and fully document the reasons for his concurrence or disapproval in the file.

(i) No extension granted under subsection (h) of this section may exceed 90 days in length. Where the condition or circumstance which prevented abatement within 90 days exists at the expiration of any such extension, the permittee may request a further extension in accordance with the procedures of subsection (h) of this section.

(j) Any determination made under subsection (h) of this section shall be subject to formal review pursuant to the provisions of the Virginia Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

Statutory Authority

§ 45.2-103 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 843.18, 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; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. March 31, 2022.

4VAC25-130-843.13. Suspension or revocation of permits; pattern of violations.

(a)(1) The director shall issue a show cause order to a permittee requiring justification as to why his permit and right to mine under the Act should not be suspended or revoked, if the director determines that a pattern of violations of any requirements of the Act, this chapter, or any permit condition required by the Act exists or has existed, and that the violations were caused by the permittee's willful or unwarranted failure to comply with those requirements or conditions, or if the permittee failed to pay the final civil penalty assessment as required by 4VAC25-130-845.20. Violations by any person conducting surface coal mining operations on behalf of the permittee shall be attributed to the permittee, unless the permittee establishes that they were acts of deliberate sabotage.

(2) The director may determine that a pattern of violations exists or has existed based upon two or more inspections of the permit area within any 12-month period, after considering the circumstances, including:

(i) The number of violations, cited on more than one occasion, of the same or related requirements of the Act, this chapter, or the permit;

(ii) The number of violations, cited on more than one occasion, of different requirements of the Act, this chapter, or the permit; and

(iii) The extent to which the violations were isolated departures from lawful conduct.

(3) The director shall promptly review the history of violations of any permittee who has been cited for violations of the same or related requirements of the Act, this chapter, or the permit during three or more inspections of the permit area within any 12-month period. If, after such review, the director determines that a pattern of violations exists or has existed, he shall issue a show cause order as provided in subdivision (a) (1) of this section.

(4)(i) In determining the number of violations within any 12-month period, the director shall consider only violations issued as a result of an inspection carried out pursuant to 4VAC25-130-840.11, 4VAC25-130-842.11 and 4VAC25-130-842.12.

(ii) The director may not consider violations issued as a result of inspections other than those mentioned in subdivision (a) (4) (i) of this section in determining whether to exercise his discretion under subdivision (a) (2) of this section, except as evidence of the "willful" or "unwarranted" nature of the permittee's failure to comply.

(5) Whenever a permittee fails to abate a violation contained in a notice of violation or cessation order within the abatement period set in the notice or order or as subsequently extended, the division shall review the permittee's history of violations to determine whether a pattern of violations exists pursuant to this section, and shall issue a show cause order as appropriate pursuant to 4VAC25-130-845.15(b)(2).

(b) The permittee shall have 15 days from receipt of the show cause order to file an answer and request a formal public hearing in writing. The director shall give 30 days written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing to the permittee, and any intervenor. The public hearing shall be conducted in accordance with § 2.2-4020 of the Virginia Administrative Process Act. The director shall publish the notice, if practicable, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the surface coal mining and reclamation operations, and shall post it at the division's Big Stone Gap office.

(c) Within 30 days after the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a written decision as to whether a pattern of violations exists, and, if appropriate, an order. The decision and order shall be final, subject to the review and reconsideration by the director or his designee provided in subsection (e) of this section. If the decision and order revoke or suspend the permit and the permittee's right to mine under the Act, the permittee shall immediately cease surface coal mining operations on the permit area and shall:

(1) If the permit and right to mine under the Act are revoked, complete reclamation within the time specified in the order; or

(2) If the permit and the right to mine under the Act are suspended, complete all affirmative obligations to abate all conditions, practices or violations, as specified in the order.

(d) Within 14 days after the issuance of a decision or order, the permittee, or any person who participated in the hearing and who has an interest which is or may be adversely affected by the hearing officer's decision may appeal to the director, or his designee (who shall not be the same person who issued the show cause order) for review of the record and reconsideration of the hearing officer's decision. The director or his designee may also, on his own motion, with notice to the parties, made within 14 days of the hearing officer's decision, review the record and reconsider the hearing officer's decision. No further evidence will be allowed in connection with such review and reconsideration but the director or his designee may hear further arguments, and may also after considering the record, remand any case for further hearing if he considers such action necessary to develop the facts. Within 30 days of the appeal or motion for review and reconsideration, the director or his designee shall complete his review of the hearing officer's decision and issue a final decision thereon.

(e) All requests for hearing before a hearing officer, or appeals for review and reconsideration, made under this section, and all notices of appeal for judicial review of a hearing officer's final decision or a final decision on review and reconsideration, shall be filed with the Director, Division of Mined Land Repurposing, Department of Energy, 3405 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, Virginia 24219.

(f) Any person who owns or controls or has owned or controlled any operations on which the permit has been revoked pursuant to this section may apply for reinstatement pursuant to 4VAC25-130-800.52.

Statutory Authority

§ 45.2-103 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 843.18, 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; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. March 31, 2022.

4VAC25-130-843.14. Service of notices of violation, cessation orders, and show cause orders.

(a) A notice of violation, cessation order, or show cause order shall be served on the person to whom it is directed or his designated agent promptly after issuance, as follows:

(1) By tendering a copy at the coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operation to the designated agent or to the individual who, based upon reasonable inquiry, appears to be in charge. If no such individual can be located at the site, a copy may be tendered to any individual at the site who appears to be an employee or agent of the person to whom the notice or order is issued. Service shall be complete upon tender of the notice or order and shall not be deemed incomplete because of refusal to accept.

(2) As an alternative to paragraph (a)(1) of this section, service may be made by sending a copy of the notice or order by certified mail or by hand to the permittee or his designated agent, or by any means consistent with the rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia governing service of a summons and complaint. Service shall be complete upon tender of the notice or order or of the certified mail and shall not be deemed incomplete because of refusal to accept.

(b) The permittee may designate, in writing to the division, the person who may accept service of any notice or order.

(c) The division may furnish copies of notices and orders to any person having an interest in the coal exploration, surface coal mining and reclamation operation, or the permit area, such as the surface and mineral owner, corporate officer of the permittee or entity conducting coal exploration, or the bonding company.

Statutory Authority

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

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 843.14, 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; Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 6, eff. January 6, 1999.

4VAC25-130-843.15. Informal public hearing.

(a) A notice of violation or cessation order which requires cessation of mining, expressly or by necessary implication, shall expire within 30 days after it is served unless an informal public hearing is held or if the notice or order is terminated prior to the hearing. Expiration of a notice or order shall not affect the division's right to assess civil penalties for the violations as set forth in part 845. For purposes of this section, mining includes (1) extracting coal from the earth or coal waste piles and transporting it within or from the permit area, and (2) the processing, cleaning, concentrating, preparing or loading of coal where such operations occur at a place other than at a mine site.

(b) A person issued a notice of violation or cessation order pursuant to this part may request, in writing within 15 days from service of the notice or order, an informal public hearing to review the issuance of the notice or order. The written request must be submitted to the division's Big Stone Gap Office.

(c) The division shall conduct the informal hearing within 30 days from receipt of the hearing request pursuant to § 2.2-4019 of the Virginia Administrative Process Act. The division shall give as much advance notice as is practicable of the time, place, and subject matter of the informal public hearing to:

(1) The person to whom the notice or order was issued; and

(2) Any person who filed a report which led to that notice or order.

(d) The division shall also post notice of the hearing at its Big Stone Gap office and, where practicable, publish it in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the mine.

(e) An informal public hearing shall be conducted by a representative of the division, who may accept oral or written arguments and any other relevant information from any person attending.

(f) Within five days after the close of the informal public hearing, the division shall affirm, modify, or vacate the notice or order in writing. The decision shall be sent to-

(1) The person to whom the notice or order was issued; and

(2) Any person who filed a report which led to the notice or order.

(g) The granting of an informal public hearing shall not affect the right of any person to formal review under § 45.2-1025 of the Act.

(h) The person conducting the hearing for the division shall determine whether or not the mine site should be viewed during the hearing. In making this determination the only consideration shall be whether a view of the mine site will assist the person conducting the hearing in reviewing the appropriateness of the enforcement action or of the required remedial action.

Statutory Authority

§ 45.2-103 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 843.18, 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; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. March 31, 2022.

4VAC25-130-843.16. Formal review of citations.

(a) A person issued a notice of violation or cessation order under 4VAC25-130-843.11 or 4VAC25-130-843.12, or a person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected by the issuance, modification, vacation, or termination of a notice or order may request review of that action by filing an application for formal review and request for hearing, under § 45.2-1025 of the Act, within 30 days after receiving notice of the action. A person may also request formal review of the decision rendered under 4VAC25-130-843.15, if the request is submitted within 15 days of receipt of the informal public hearing decision.

(b) The filing of an application for review and request for a hearing under this section shall not operate as a stay of any notice or order, or of any modification, termination, or vacation of either.

(c) Hearings under subsection (a) of this section shall be conducted by a hearing officer appointed by the director. Within 30 days after the close of the record, the hearing officer shall issue a written decision affirming, modifying, terminating, or vacating the notice or order. The decision shall be final, subject to the review and reconsideration by the director or his designee provided in subsection (d) of this section.

(d) Within 14 days after the issuance of a decision the permittee, or any person who participated in the hearing and who has an interest which is or may be adversely affected by the hearing officer's decision, may appeal to the director or his designee for review of the record and reconsideration of the hearing officer's decision. The director or his designee may also, on his own motion, with notice to the parties, made within 14 days of the hearing officer's decision, review the record and reconsider the hearing officer's decision. No further evidence will be allowed in connection with such review and reconsideration but the director or his designee may hear further arguments and may also, after considering the record remand any case for further hearing if he considers such action necessary to develop the facts. Within 30 days of the appeal or motion for review and reconsideration, the director or his designee shall complete his review of the hearing officer's decision and issue a final decision thereon.

(e) All requests for hearing before a hearing officer, or appeals for review and reconsideration, made under this section, and all notices of appeal for judicial review of a hearing officer's final decision, or a final decision on review and reconsideration, 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 § 843.18, 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; Volume 38, Issue 13, eff. March 31, 2022.

4VAC25-130-843.18. Inability to comply.

(a) No cessation order or notice of violation issued under this Part may be vacated because of inability to comply.

(b) Inability to comply may not be considered in determining whether a pattern of violations exists.

(c) Unless caused by lack of diligence, inability to comply may be considered only in mitigation of the amount of civil penalty under Part 845 and of the duration of the suspension of a permit under 4VAC25-130-843.13(c).

Statutory Authority

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

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 843.18, 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.

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