{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-1035.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-1035.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-1035.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-1035.html"}],"law_id":60576,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60576,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1035","catch_line":" Right of entry, acquisition, disposition, and reclamation of land adversely affected by past coal mining practices","history":"1979, c. 290, \u00a7 45.1-263; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Director shall take all reasonable actions to obtain written consent from the owner or owners of record of the land or property to be entered onto to perform an inspection for purposes of reclamation or for conducting studies or exploratory work pertaining to the need for and feasibility of reclamation, prior to such entry.B\n\nThe provisions of subsection C shall apply if the Director, pursuant to an approved state program, makes findings of fact that:1\n\nLand or water resources have been adversely affected by past coal mining practices;2\n\nThe adverse effects are significant enough that, in the public interest, action to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent such effects should be taken; and3\n\nThe owners of the land or water resources where entry will be made to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects of past coal mining practices (i) are not known or readily available or (ii) will not give permission for the Director or his agents, employees, or contractors to enter upon such property to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.C\n\nUpon making the findings of fact required by subsection B and giving notice by certified mail to the owners if known or, if not known, by posting notice upon the premises and advertising once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or city in which the land lies, the Director, his agents, employees, or contractors shall have the right to enter upon the property adversely affected by past coal mining practices and any other property to have access to such property to do all things necessary or expedient to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects. Such entry shall be construed as an exercise of the police power for the protection of public health, safety, and general welfare and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property or trespass thereon. The moneys expended for such work and the benefits accruing to any such premises so entered upon shall be chargeable against such land to the extent provided in § 45.2-1036 and shall mitigate or offset any claim in or any action brought by any owner of any interest in such premises for any alleged damages by virtue of such entry. Such provision regarding the mitigation or offsetting of a claim or action by an owner is not intended to create new rights of action or eliminate the existing sovereign immunity of the Commonwealth and its agents and employees.D\n\nThe Director and his agents, employees, or contractors shall have the right to enter upon any property for the purpose of conducting studies or exploratory work to determine the existence of adverse effects of past coal mining practices and to determine the feasibility of restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of such adverse effects. Such entry shall be construed as an exercise of the police power for the protection of public health, safety, and general welfare and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property or trespass thereon.E\n\nThe Director, pursuant to an approved state program, may acquire title in the name of the Commonwealth to any land or interest therein by purchase, donation, or condemnation, if such land or interest is adversely affected by past coal mining practices, after approval of the Secretary and upon determinations that acquisition of such land is necessary for successful reclamation and that:1\n\nThe acquired land, after restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices, will serve recreational, historical, conservation, or reclamation purposes or provide open space benefits; and2\n\nEither (a) permanent facilities, such as a treatment plant or a relocated stream channel, will be constructed on the land for the restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices or (b) acquisition of coal refuse disposal sites and all coal refuse thereon will serve the purposes of this article or that public ownership is desirable to meet emergency situations and prevent recurrences of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.F\n\nThe price paid for land acquired under this section shall reflect the market value of the land as adversely affected by past coal mining practices.G\n\nThe Director, with the approval of the Secretary, and in accordance with the State Reclamation Plan, may:1\n\nTransfer the administrative responsibility for land acquired under this section to any state, regional, or local agency, department, or institution, with or without cost, upon terms that will ensure that the use of the land is consistent with the authorization under which the land was acquired;2\n\nSell land acquired under this section that is suitable for industrial, commercial, residential, or recreational development, by public sale under a system of competitive bidding, at not less than fair market value and under regulations adopted to ensure that such lands are put to proper use consistent with local, state, or federal land use plans, if any, for the area in which the land is located; and3\n\nTransfer land acquired under this section to the United States to be reclaimed by the Secretary. After such reclamation is completed, any state, regional, or local agency, department, or institution may purchase such land from the Secretary for governmental, educational, recreational, historical, open-space, or other public purpose upon such terms as the Secretary requires.H\n\nPrior to the disposition of any land acquired under this section, the Director, pursuant to the State Reclamation Plan, when requested and after appropriate public notice, shall hold a public hearing in the county or city or counties or cities where the land is located. The hearing shall be held at a time that shall afford local citizens and governments the maximum opportunity to participate in the decision concerning the use or disposition of the lands after restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.I\n\nThe Director may authorize the use, pending disposition, of land acquired under this section for any lawful purpose that is not inconsistent with the reclamation and post-reclamation uses for which the land was acquired. The Director shall charge any user of the land a reasonable use fee that shall go toward the purpose of operating and maintaining improvement of the land, and any excess thereof shall be deposited in the State Reclamation Fund. The Director may waive the fee if the Director finds in writing that a waiver is in the public interest.J\n\nAny state, regional, or local agency, department, or institution may purchase or otherwise acquire and develop lands that the Secretary is authorized to dispose of pursuant to § 407(h) of the federal act.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":221421,"text":"The Director shall take all reasonable actions to obtain written consent from the owner or owners of record of the land or property to be entered onto to perform an inspection for purposes of reclamation or for conducting studies or exploratory work pertaining to the need for and feasibility of reclamation, prior to such entry.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":221422,"text":"The provisions of subsection C shall apply if the Director, pursuant to an approved state program, makes findings of fact that:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":221423,"text":"Land or water resources have been adversely affected by past coal mining practices;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":221424,"text":"The adverse effects are significant enough that, in the public interest, action to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent such effects should be taken; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":221425,"text":"The owners of the land or water resources where entry will be made to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects of past coal mining practices (i) are not known or readily available or (ii) will not give permission for the Director or his agents, employees, or contractors to enter upon such property to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":221426,"text":"Upon making the findings of fact required by subsection B and giving notice by certified mail to the owners if known or, if not known, by posting notice upon the premises and advertising once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or city in which the land lies, the Director, his agents, employees, or contractors shall have the right to enter upon the property adversely affected by past coal mining practices and any other property to have access to such property to do all things necessary or expedient to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects. Such entry shall be construed as an exercise of the police power for the protection of public health, safety, and general welfare and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property or trespass thereon. The moneys expended for such work and the benefits accruing to any such premises so entered upon shall be chargeable against such land to the extent provided in § 45.2-1036 and shall mitigate or offset any claim in or any action brought by any owner of any interest in such premises for any alleged damages by virtue of such entry. Such provision regarding the mitigation or offsetting of a claim or action by an owner is not intended to create new rights of action or eliminate the existing sovereign immunity of the Commonwealth and its agents and employees.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":221427,"text":"The Director and his agents, employees, or contractors shall have the right to enter upon any property for the purpose of conducting studies or exploratory work to determine the existence of adverse effects of past coal mining practices and to determine the feasibility of restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of such adverse effects. Such entry shall be construed as an exercise of the police power for the protection of public health, safety, and general welfare and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property or trespass thereon.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":221428,"text":"The Director, pursuant to an approved state program, may acquire title in the name of the Commonwealth to any land or interest therein by purchase, donation, or condemnation, if such land or interest is adversely affected by past coal mining practices, after approval of the Secretary and upon determinations that acquisition of such land is necessary for successful reclamation and that:","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"E1"},"8":{"id":221429,"text":"The acquired land, after restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices, will serve recreational, historical, conservation, or reclamation purposes or provide open space benefits; and","type":"section","prefixes":["E","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"E1","prefix_anchor":"E1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"E2"},"9":{"id":221430,"text":"Either (a) permanent facilities, such as a treatment plant or a relocated stream channel, will be constructed on the land for the restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices or (b) acquisition of coal refuse disposal sites and all coal refuse thereon will serve the purposes of this article or that public ownership is desirable to meet emergency situations and prevent recurrences of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.","type":"section","prefixes":["E","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"E2","prefix_anchor":"E2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E1","next_prefix":"F"},"10":{"id":221431,"text":"The price paid for land acquired under this section shall reflect the market value of the land as adversely affected by past coal mining practices.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E2","next_prefix":"G"},"11":{"id":221432,"text":"The Director, with the approval of the Secretary, and in accordance with the State Reclamation Plan, may:","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"G1"},"12":{"id":221433,"text":"Transfer the administrative responsibility for land acquired under this section to any state, regional, or local agency, department, or institution, with or without cost, upon terms that will ensure that the use of the land is consistent with the authorization under which the land was acquired;","type":"section","prefixes":["G","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"G1","prefix_anchor":"G1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"G2"},"13":{"id":221434,"text":"Sell land acquired under this section that is suitable for industrial, commercial, residential, or recreational development, by public sale under a system of competitive bidding, at not less than fair market value and under regulations adopted to ensure that such lands are put to proper use consistent with local, state, or federal land use plans, if any, for the area in which the land is located; and","type":"section","prefixes":["G","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"G2","prefix_anchor":"G2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G1","next_prefix":"G3"},"14":{"id":221435,"text":"Transfer land acquired under this section to the United States to be reclaimed by the Secretary. After such reclamation is completed, any state, regional, or local agency, department, or institution may purchase such land from the Secretary for governmental, educational, recreational, historical, open-space, or other public purpose upon such terms as the Secretary requires.","type":"section","prefixes":["G","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"G3","prefix_anchor":"G3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G2","next_prefix":"H"},"15":{"id":221436,"text":"Prior to the disposition of any land acquired under this section, the Director, pursuant to the State Reclamation Plan, when requested and after appropriate public notice, shall hold a public hearing in the county or city or counties or cities where the land is located. The hearing shall be held at a time that shall afford local citizens and governments the maximum opportunity to participate in the decision concerning the use or disposition of the lands after restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G3","next_prefix":"I"},"16":{"id":221437,"text":"The Director may authorize the use, pending disposition, of land acquired under this section for any lawful purpose that is not inconsistent with the reclamation and post-reclamation uses for which the land was acquired. The Director shall charge any user of the land a reasonable use fee that shall go toward the purpose of operating and maintaining improvement of the land, and any excess thereof shall be deposited in the State Reclamation Fund. The Director may waive the fee if the Director finds in writing that a waiver is in the public interest.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"17":{"id":221438,"text":"Any state, regional, or local agency, department, or institution may purchase or otherwise acquire and develop lands that the Secretary is authorized to dispose of pursuant to § 407(h) of the federal act.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15502,"edition_id":1,"name":"Abandoned Mine Reclamation","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13540,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:55:36","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:55:36","permalink":{"id":223829,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15502,"identifier":"4","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4","url":"\/45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13540,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1979","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13539,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","permalink":{"id":223697,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13540,"identifier":"10","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10","url":"\/45.2\/II\/C\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13539,"edition_id":1,"name":"Surface Coal Mines","identifier":"C","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12985,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","permalink":{"id":223695,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13539,"identifier":"C","token":"45.2\/II\/C","url":"\/45.2\/II\/C\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12985,"edition_id":1,"name":"Coal Mining","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12713,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":222647,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12985,"identifier":"II","token":"45.2\/II","url":"\/45.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12713,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mines, Minerals, and Energy","identifier":"45.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":222539,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12713,"identifier":"45.2","token":"45.2","url":"\/45.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":72623,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1031","catch_line":" State Reclamation Program","url":"\/45.2-1031\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1031","metadata":false},{"id":70644,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1032","catch_line":" Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund","url":"\/45.2-1032\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1032","metadata":false},{"id":59076,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1032.1","catch_line":"Abandoned Mine Land Grant Retention Fund","url":"\/45.2-1032.1\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1032.1","metadata":false},{"id":81373,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1033","catch_line":" Operator may perform reclamation; bidding; conditions; adjustment of required bonds; regulations","url":"\/45.2-1033\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1033","metadata":false},{"id":59288,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1034","catch_line":" Eligible lands and water; priorities for expenditures","url":"\/45.2-1034\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1034","metadata":false},{"id":60576,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1035","catch_line":" Right of entry, acquisition, disposition, and reclamation of land adversely affected by past coal mining practices","url":"\/45.2-1035\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1035","metadata":false},{"id":71085,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1036","catch_line":" Commonwealth to have lien for reclamation work","url":"\/45.2-1036\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1036","metadata":false},{"id":69982,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1037","catch_line":" Perfection of lien; waiver of lien","url":"\/45.2-1037\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1037","metadata":false},{"id":79193,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1038","catch_line":" Recordation and indexing of lien; notice","url":"\/45.2-1038\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1038","metadata":false},{"id":77336,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1039","catch_line":" Priority of lien","url":"\/45.2-1039\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1039","metadata":false},{"id":85337,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1040","catch_line":" Hearing to determine amount of lien","url":"\/45.2-1040\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1040","metadata":false},{"id":75097,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1041","catch_line":" Satisfaction of lien","url":"\/45.2-1041\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1041","metadata":false},{"id":62422,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1042","catch_line":" Miscellaneous powers of Director","url":"\/45.2-1042\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1042","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":59288,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1034","catch_line":" Eligible lands and water; priorities for expenditures","url":"\/45.2-1034\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1034","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":71085,"structure_id":15502,"section_number":"45.2-1036","catch_line":" Commonwealth to have lien for reclamation work","url":"\/45.2-1036\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1036","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-1035\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 290 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76733,"section_number":"45.2-1027","catch_line":" Judicial review of final order or decision or decision under \u00a7 45.2-1035","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1027\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":71085,"section_number":"45.2-1036","catch_line":" Commonwealth to have lien for reclamation work","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1036\/"}],"permalink":{"id":223851,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60576,"identifier":"45.2-1035","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1035","url":"\/45.2-1035\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-1035\/","token":"45.2\/II\/C\/10\/4\/45.2-1035","dublin_core":{"Title":" Right of entry, acquisition, disposition, and reclamation of land adversely affected by past coal mining practices","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-1035","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Director<\/span> shall take all reasonable actions to obtain written consent from the owner or owners of record of the land or property to be entered onto to perform an inspection for purposes of reclamation or for conducting studies or exploratory work pertaining to the need for and feasibility of reclamation, prior to such entry. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The provisions of subsection C shall apply if the Director<\/span>, pursuant to an approved state program, makes findings<\/span> of fact<\/span> that: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Land or water resources have been adversely affected by past coal mining practices; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The adverse effects are significant enough that, in the public interest, action to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent such effects should be taken; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The owners of the land or water resources where entry will be made to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects of past coal mining practices (i) are not known or readily available or (ii) will not give permission for the Director<\/span> or his agents, employees, or contractors to enter upon such property to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects of past coal mining practices. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Upon making the findings<\/span> of fact<\/span> required by subsection B and giving notice by certified mail to the owners if known or, if not known, by posting notice upon the premises and advertising once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or city in which the land lies, the Director<\/span>, his agents, employees, or contractors shall have the right to enter upon the property adversely affected by past coal mining practices and any other property to have access to such property to do all things necessary or expedient to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects. Such entry shall be construed as an exercise of the police power for the protection of public health, safety, and general welfare and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property or trespass thereon. The moneys expended for such work and the benefits accruing to any such premises so entered upon shall be chargeable against such land to the extent provided in § 45.2-1036<\/a> and shall mitigate or offset any claim in or any action brought by any owner of any interest in such premises for any alleged damages<\/span> by virtue of such entry. Such provision regarding the mitigation or offsetting of a claim or action by an owner is not intended to create new rights of action or eliminate the existing sovereign immunity of the Commonwealth and its agents and employees. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Director<\/span> and his agents, employees, or contractors shall have the right to enter upon any property for the purpose of conducting studies or exploratory work to determine the existence of adverse effects of past coal mining practices and to determine the feasibility of restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of such adverse effects. Such entry shall be construed as an exercise of the police power for the protection of public health, safety, and general welfare and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property or trespass thereon. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Director<\/span>, pursuant to an approved state program, may acquire title in the name of the Commonwealth to any land or interest therein by purchase, donation, or condemnation, if such land or interest is adversely affected by past coal mining practices, after approval of the Secretary<\/span> and upon determinations that acquisition of such land is necessary for successful reclamation and that: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The acquired land, after restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices, will serve recreational, historical, conservation, or reclamation purposes or provide open space benefits; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Either (a) permanent facilities, such as a treatment plant or a relocated stream channel, will be constructed on the land for the restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices or (b) acquisition of coal refuse disposal sites and all coal refuse thereon will serve the purposes of this article or that public ownership is desirable to meet emergency situations and prevent recurrences of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The price paid for land acquired under this section shall reflect the market value of the land as adversely affected by past coal mining practices. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The Director<\/span>, with the approval of the Secretary<\/span>, and in accordance with the State Reclamation Plan, may: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Transfer the administrative responsibility for land acquired under this section to any state, regional, or local agency, department<\/span>, or institution, with or without cost, upon terms that will ensure that the use of the land is consistent with the authorization under which the land was acquired; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Sell land acquired under this section that is suitable for industrial, commercial, residential, or recreational development, by public sale under a system of competitive bidding, at not less than fair market value and under regulations adopted to ensure that such lands are put to proper use consistent with local, state, or federal land use plans, if any, for the area in which the land is located; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Transfer land acquired under this section to the United States to be reclaimed by the Secretary<\/span>. After such reclamation is completed, any state, regional, or local agency, department<\/span>, or institution may purchase such land from the Secretary<\/span> for governmental, educational, recreational, historical, open-space, or other public purpose upon such terms as the Secretary<\/span> requires. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> Prior to the disposition<\/span> of any land acquired under this section, the Director<\/span>, pursuant to the State Reclamation Plan, when requested and after appropriate public notice, shall hold a public hearing<\/span> in the county or city or counties or cities where the land is located. The hearing<\/span> shall be held at a time that shall afford local citizens and governments the maximum opportunity to participate in the decision concerning the use or disposition<\/span> of the lands after restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> The Director<\/span> may authorize the use, pending disposition<\/span>, of land acquired under this section for any lawful purpose that is not inconsistent with the reclamation and post-reclamation uses for which the land was acquired. The Director<\/span> shall charge any user of the land a reasonable use fee that shall go toward the purpose of operating and maintaining improvement of the land, and any excess thereof shall be deposited in the State Reclamation Fund. The Director<\/span> may waive<\/span> the fee if the Director<\/span> finds in writing that a waiver<\/span> is in the public interest. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

J.<\/span> Any state, regional, or local agency, department<\/span>, or institution may purchase or otherwise acquire and develop lands that the Secretary<\/span> is authorized to dispose of pursuant to § 407(h) of the federal act<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n RIGHT OF ENTRY, ACQUISITION, DISPOSITION, AND RECLAMATION OF LAND ADVERSELY\nAFFECTED BY PAST COAL MINING PRACTICES (\u00a7 45.2-1035)\n\nA. The Director shall take all reasonable actions to obtain written consent from\nthe owner or owners of record of the land or property to be entered onto to\nperform an inspection for purposes of reclamation or for conducting studies or\nexploratory work pertaining to the need for and feasibility of reclamation,\nprior to such entry.\n\nB. The provisions of subsection C shall apply if the Director, pursuant to an\napproved state program, makes findings of fact that:\n\n 1. Land or water resources have been adversely affected by past coal mining\n practices;\n\n 2. The adverse effects are significant enough that, in the public interest,\n action to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent such effects should be\n taken; and\n\n 3. The owners of the land or water resources where entry will be made to\n restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects of past coal\n mining practices (i) are not known or readily available or (ii) will not give\n permission for the Director or his agents, employees, or contractors to enter\n upon such property to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse\n effects of past coal mining practices.\n\nC. Upon making the findings of fact required by subsection B and giving notice\nby certified mail to the owners if known or, if not known, by posting notice\nupon the premises and advertising once in a newspaper of general circulation in\nthe county or city in which the land lies, the Director, his agents, employees,\nor contractors shall have the right to enter upon the property adversely\naffected by past coal mining practices and any other property to have access to\nsuch property to do all things necessary or expedient to restore, reclaim,\nabate, control, or prevent the adverse effects. Such entry shall be construed as\nan exercise of the police power for the protection of public health, safety, and\ngeneral welfare and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property\nor trespass thereon. The moneys expended for such work and the benefits accruing\nto any such premises so entered upon shall be chargeable against such land to\nthe extent provided in § 45.2-1036 and shall mitigate or offset any claim\nin or any action brought by any owner of any interest in such premises for any\nalleged damages by virtue of such entry. Such provision regarding the mitigation\nor offsetting of a claim or action by an owner is not intended to create new\nrights of action or eliminate the existing sovereign immunity of the\nCommonwealth and its agents and employees.\n\nD. The Director and his agents, employees, or contractors shall have the right\nto enter upon any property for the purpose of conducting studies or exploratory\nwork to determine the existence of adverse effects of past coal mining practices\nand to determine the feasibility of restoration, reclamation, abatement,\ncontrol, or prevention of such adverse effects. Such entry shall be construed as\nan exercise of the police power for the protection of public health, safety, and\ngeneral welfare and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property\nor trespass thereon.\n\nE. The Director, pursuant to an approved state program, may acquire title in the\nname of the Commonwealth to any land or interest therein by purchase, donation,\nor condemnation, if such land or interest is adversely affected by past coal\nmining practices, after approval of the Secretary and upon determinations that\nacquisition of such land is necessary for successful reclamation and that:\n\n 1. The acquired land, after restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or\n prevention of the adverse effects of past coal mining practices, will serve\n recreational, historical, conservation, or reclamation purposes or provide\n open space benefits; and\n\n 2. Either (a) permanent facilities, such as a treatment plant or a relocated\n stream channel, will be constructed on the land for the restoration,\n reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse effects of past\n coal mining practices or (b) acquisition of coal refuse disposal sites and all\n coal refuse thereon will serve the purposes of this article or that public\n ownership is desirable to meet emergency situations and prevent recurrences of\n the adverse effects of past coal mining practices.\n\nF. The price paid for land acquired under this section shall reflect the market\nvalue of the land as adversely affected by past coal mining practices.\n\nG. The Director, with the approval of the Secretary, and in accordance with the\nState Reclamation Plan, may:\n\n 1. Transfer the administrative responsibility for land acquired under this\n section to any state, regional, or local agency, department, or institution,\n with or without cost, upon terms that will ensure that the use of the land is\n consistent with the authorization under which the land was acquired;\n\n 2. Sell land acquired under this section that is suitable for industrial,\n commercial, residential, or recreational development, by public sale under a\n system of competitive bidding, at not less than fair market value and under\n regulations adopted to ensure that such lands are put to proper use consistent\n with local, state, or federal land use plans, if any, for the area in which\n the land is located; and\n\n 3. Transfer land acquired under this section to the United States to be\n reclaimed by the Secretary. After such reclamation is completed, any state,\n regional, or local agency, department, or institution may purchase such land\n from the Secretary for governmental, educational, recreational, historical,\n open-space, or other public purpose upon such terms as the Secretary requires.\n\nH. Prior to the disposition of any land acquired under this section, the\nDirector, pursuant to the State Reclamation Plan, when requested and after\nappropriate public notice, shall hold a public hearing in the county or city or\ncounties or cities where the land is located. The hearing shall be held at a\ntime that shall afford local citizens and governments the maximum opportunity to\nparticipate in the decision concerning the use or disposition of the lands after\nrestoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of the adverse\neffects of past coal mining practices.\n\nI. The Director may authorize the use, pending disposition, of land acquired\nunder this section for any lawful purpose that is not inconsistent with the\nreclamation and post-reclamation uses for which the land was acquired. The\nDirector shall charge any user of the land a reasonable use fee that shall go\ntoward the purpose of operating and maintaining improvement of the land, and any\nexcess thereof shall be deposited in the State Reclamation Fund. The Director\nmay waive the fee if the Director finds in writing that a waiver is in the\npublic interest.\n\nJ. Any state, regional, or local agency, department, or institution may purchase\nor otherwise acquire and develop lands that the Secretary is authorized to\ndispose of pursuant to § 407(h) of the federal act.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 290, \u00a7 45.1-263; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}