Section 817.11. Signs and markers

Part 817. Permanent Program Performance Standards—Underground Mining Activities

(a) Specifications. Signs and markers required under this part shall—

(1) Be posted, maintained, and removed by the person who conducts the underground mining activities;

(2) Be of a uniform design throughout the operation that can be easily seen and read;

(3) Be made of durable material;

(4) Be made of or marked with fluorescent or reflective paint or material if the signs are permit boundary markers on areas that are located on steep slopes above private dwellings or other occupied buildings; and

(5) Conform to local ordinances and codes.

(b) Maintenance. Signs and markers shall be maintained during the conduct of all activities to which they pertain.

(c) Mine and permit identification signs.

(1) Identification signs shall be displayed at each point of access from public roads to areas of surface operations and facilities on permit areas for underground mining activities.

(2) Signs shall show the name, business address, and telephone number of the permittee and the identification number of the current permit authorizing underground mining activities.

(3) Signs shall be retained and maintained until after the release of all bonds for the permit area.

(d) Perimeter markers. The perimeter of a permit area shall be clearly marked prior to the permit review conducted by the division's field enforcement personnel. The perimeter shall be clearly marked by flagging, stakes or signs. All markers shall be easily visible from adjacent markers. The approximate outer perimeter of the solid portion of any pre-existing bench shall be closely marked prior to permit review.

(e) Buffer zone markers. Buffer zones shall be marked along their boundaries, prior to permit review conducted by the division's field enforcement personnel. The boundaries shall be clearly marked by flagging, stakes or signs as required under 4VAC25-130-817.57. All markers of the buffer zone shall be easily visible from adjacent markers.

(f) Blasting signs. If blasting is conducted incident to underground mining activities, the person who conducts these activities shall:

(1) Conspicuously place signs reading "Blasting Area" along the edge of any blasting area that comes within 100 feet of any public road right of way, and at the point where any other road provides access to the blasting area; and

(2) At all entrances to the permit area from public roads or highways place conspicuous signs which state "Warning! Explosives In Use" which clearly list and describe the meaning of the audible blast warning and all clear signals that are in use, and which explain the marking of blasting areas and charged holes awaiting firing within the permit area.

(g) Topsoil markers. Where topsoil or other vegetation-supporting material is segregated and stockpiled as required under 4VAC25-130-817.22, the stockpiled material shall be clearly marked.

(h) Incremental bonding markers. When the permittee elects to increment the amount of performance bond during the term of the permit, he shall, if required by the division, identify the initial and successive incremental areas for bonding by clearly marking such areas (with markers different from the perimeter markers) prior to disturbing the incremental area(s).

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-03-19 § 817.11, 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; Volume 23, Issue 13, eff. April 4, 2007.

Statutory Authority

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