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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>76504</law_id><section_number>45.2-1015</section_number><catch_line> Decision of Director upon permit application; hearing; appeal</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="45.2">Mines, Minerals, and Energy</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Coal Mining</unit><unit label="part" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="C">Surface Coal Mines</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="10">Virginia Coal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1979</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="1" identifier="2">Regulation of Mining Activity</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Director</span> shall notify each applicant for a <span class="dictionary">permit</span> within a reasonable time, as set forth in regulations, taking into account the time needed for proper investigation of the site, the complexity of the <span class="dictionary">permit</span> application, and written objections that have been filed, of his written decision to approve or disapprove the application, in whole or in part, except that if an informal <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> has been held pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title=" Public participation in process of issuing or revising permits" href="/45.2-1014/">45.2-1014</a>, the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> to the applicant and the parties to the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> his written decision within 60 days of such <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>. <a id="paragraph-274604" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1015/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If such application is approved, a <span class="dictionary">permit</span> shall be issued. If such application is disapproved, specific reasons shall be given in the notification. Within 30 days after the applicant is notified of the final decision of the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> on such <span class="dictionary">permit</span> application, the applicant, or any <span class="dictionary">person</span> with an interest that is or might be adversely affected, may request a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> on the reasons for the final determination. The <span class="dictionary">Director</span> shall hold a formal adjudicatory <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title; purpose" href="/2.2-4000/">2.2-4000</a> et seq.) and within 30 days thereafter shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> to the applicant and every <span class="dictionary">person</span> who participated in the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> the written decision of the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> granting or denying the <span class="dictionary">permit</span> in whole or in part and stating the reasons therefor. No <span class="dictionary">person</span> who presided at an informal <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> under &#xA7; <a class="law" title=" Public participation in process of issuing or revising permits" href="/45.2-1014/">45.2-1014</a> shall preside at the formal adjudicatory <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> or participate in the decision therein or any administrative <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> therefrom. <a id="paragraph-274605" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1015/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Where a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> is requested pursuant to subsection B, the <span class="dictionary">Director</span>, under such conditions as he prescribes, may grant temporary relief pending final determination of the proceedings if: <a id="paragraph-274606" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1015/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> All parties to the proceeding have been notified and given an opportunity to be heard on any request for temporary relief; <a id="paragraph-274607" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1015/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The <span class="dictionary">person</span> requesting such relief shows that there is a substantial likelihood that he will prevail on the merits of the final determination of the proceeding; and <a id="paragraph-274608" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1015/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Such relief will not adversely affect the public health or safety or cause significant imminent environmental harm to land, air, or water resources. <a id="paragraph-274609" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1015/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Any applicant or <span class="dictionary">person</span> who has an interest that is or might be adversely affected and has participated in the formal <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> as an objector who is aggrieved by the decision of the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> or by the failure of the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> to act within the time limits specified in this chapter has a right to judicial review in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title; purpose" href="/2.2-4000/">2.2-4000</a> et seq.). <a id="paragraph-274610" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1015/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1979, c. 290, &#xA7; 45.1-240; 1983, c. 92; 1986, c. 615; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
