4 Va. Admin. Code § 25-130-740.13

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 22, June 17, 2024

Section 4VAC25-130-740.13 - Permits

(a) General requirements.

(1) No person shall conduct surface coal mining operations on lands subject to this Part unless that person has first obtained a permit issued pursuant to this Part.

(2) Every person conducting surface coal mining and reclamation operations on lands subject to this Part shall comply with the terms and conditions of the permit and the lease or license, the Federal Act, 30 CFR Subchapter D, Virginia's regulatory program and all other applicable State and Federal laws and regulations.

(b) Permit application package.

(1) Each application for a permit, or permit revision or renewal thereof to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations on lands subject to this Part shall be accompanied by a permit fee required by 4VAC25-130-777.17 and made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.

(2) Seven copies of the complete permit application package shall be filed with the division.

(3) Each permit application package shall include:

(i) The information required for a permit application or for an application for revision or renewal of a permit pursuant to Subchapter VG;

(ii) The resource recovery and protection plan required by 43 CFR 3480 - 3487 for operations on lands containing leased Federal coal; and

(iii) Where the proposed operations are on lands containing leased Federal coal, the following supplemental information to ensure compliance with Federal laws and regulations other than the Federal Act:

(A) A description of the affected area of the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation with respect to:

(1) Increases in employment, population and revenues to public and private entities, and

(2) the ability of public and private entities to provide goods and services necessary to support surface coal mining and reclamation operations.

(B) An evaluation of impacts to the scenic and aesthetic resources, including noise on the surrounding area, due to the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation.

(C) A statement, including maps and ownership data as appropriate, of any cultural or historical sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places within the affected area of the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation.

(D) A statement of the classes of properties of potential significance within the disturbed area, and a plan for the identification and treatment, in accordance with 36 CFR 800, of properties significant and listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places within the disturbed area of the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation.

(E) A description of the probable changes in air quality resulting from the mining operation and any necessary measures to comply with prevention of significant deterioration limitations, State Implementation Plans, or other Federal or State laws for air quality protection.

(F) A description of the location, acreage and condition of important habitats of selected indicator species located within the affected area of the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operation.

(G) A description of active and inactive nests and prey areas of any Bald or Golden eagles located within the affected area of the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operations.

(H) A description of all threatened and endangered species and their critical habitats located within the affected area of the proposed surface coal mining and reclamation operations.

(4) Where the surface of the Federal lands is subject to a lease or permit issued by the Federal government to a person other than the applicant, the permit application package shall contain information sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of 4VAC25-130-740.15(c)(1).

(c) Permit review and processing. Applications for permits, permit revisions or renewals thereof to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations on land subject to this Subchapter shall be reviewed and processed in accordance with Subchapter VG, subject to the following additional requirements:

(1) Permit terms and conditions. Permits shall include, as applicable, terms and conditions required by the lease issued pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act and by other applicable Federal laws and regulations.

(2) Criteria for permit approval or denial. The division shall not approve an application for a permit, or permit revision or renewal thereof for surface coal mining and reclamation operations on lands subject to this Part unless the application is in accordance with the requirements of Subchapter VG and the cooperative agreement.

(3) Public participation in permit review process. Where public hearings were held and determinations made under section 2(a)(3)(A), (B) and (C) of the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 USC § 201(a)(3)(A), (B) and (C) ), such hearings may be made a part of the record of each public hearing on a permit application held pursuant to the requirements of the Virginia regulatory program and 30 CFR 740. Matters covered at such hearings and determinations made at such hearings need not be readdressed.

(4) Permit review processing for operations on lands administered by a Federal land management agency. Upon receipt of a permit application package or a proposed revision or renewal of an approved permit that involves surface coal mining and reclamation operations on lands administered by an agency of the Federal Government, the division shall transmit a copy of the complete permit application package, or proposed revision or renewal thereof, to the Federal land management agency, with a request for review and comment.

(5) Consultation with other Federal agencies. Prior to approving or disapproving a permit, permit revision or renewal thereof, the division shall consider the comments of the Federal land management agency and include these comments in the record of permit decisions.

(6) Permit processing schedule. The division shall process the permit application package within the time schedule established by 4VAC25-130-773.15, except that the schedule may be extended if necessary to ensure compliance with Federal laws and regulations other than the Federal Act.

(7) Bonds and insurance required for issuance of permits. After the approval of an application for a new or revised permit or for renewal of an existing permit, but prior to issuance of such permit, the applicant/permittee shall file with the division:

(i) a performance bond which meets the requirements of Subchapter VJ;

(ii) proof of liability insurance in accordance with 4VAC25-130-800.60; and

(iii) where required, evidence of the execution of a Federal lessee protection bond.

(d) Review of permit revisions.

(1) The division shall inform the OSM of each request for a permit revision with respect to operations on lands containing leased Federal coal.

(2) The OSM shall review each permit revision in consultation with the Bureau of Land Management and the appropriate Federal land management agency to determine whether the permit revision constitutes a mining plan modification requiring the Secretary's approval under 30 CFR 746.18.

(3) The division shall consult with the Federal land management agency to determine whether any permit revision will adversely affect Federal resources other than coal and whether the revision is consistent with that agency's land use plans for other Federal laws, regulations and executive orders for which it is responsible.

(e) Transfer, assignment or sale of rights.

(1) The division, before approving or disapproving an application for transfer, assignment or sale of rights granted under a permit issued pursuant to this Subchapter, shall consult with the appropriate Federal land management agency and the Bureau of Land Management, as applicable.

(2) Approval of a transfer, assignment or sale of rights granted under a permit issued pursuant to this Subchapter shall not be construed to constitute a transfer or assignment of leasehold interests. Leasehold interests may be transferred or assigned only in accordance with 43 CFR 3453.

(f) Suspension or revocation of permits.

(1) A permit to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands may be suspended or revoked by the division in accordance with Part 843.

(2) If a permit to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations on lands containing leased Federal coal is suspended or revoked, the division shall notify the Bureau of Land Management so that it may determine whether action should be taken to cancel the Federal lease. This section does not release the Federal lessee from the diligent development or continued operation requirements of 43 CFR 3480 - 3487.

4 Va. Admin. Code § 25-130-740.13

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 740.13, 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.

Statutory Authority

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