Section 762.14. Exploration on land designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations

Designation of any area as unsuitable for all or certain types of surface coal mining operations pursuant to Section 45.1-252 of the Act and this Subchapter does not prohibit coal exploration operations in the area, if conducted in accordance with the Act, this chapter, and other applicable requirements. Exploration operations on any lands designated unsuitable for surface coal mining operations must be approved by the division under Part 772 to ensure that exploration does not interfere with any value for which the area has been designated unsuitable for surface coal mining operations.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 762.14, 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, and October 19, 1994.

Statutory Authority

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