                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

WHEN BOARD MAY INITIATE A GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA STUDY PROCEEDING; HEARING
REQUIRED (§ 62.1-257)

A. The Board upon its own motion or, in its discretion, upon receipt of a
petition by any county, city or town within the area in question, may initiate a
ground water management area proceeding, whenever in its judgment there may be
reason to believe that:

   1. Ground water levels in the area are declining or are expected to decline
   excessively;

   2. The wells of two or more ground water users within the area are interfering
   or may reasonably be expected to interfere substantially with one another;

   3. The available ground water supply has been or may be overdrawn; or

   4. The ground water in the area has been or may become polluted. Such
   pollution includes any alteration of the physical, chemical or biological
   properties of ground water which has a harmful or detrimental effect on the
   quality or quantity of such waters.

B. If the Board finds that any one of the conditions required above exists, and
further finds that the public welfare, safety and health require that regulatory
efforts be initiated, the Board shall by regulation declare the area in question
to be a ground water management area. The Board shall include in its regulation
a definition of the boundaries of the ground water management area. The Board
shall mail a copy of the regulation to the mayor or chairman of the governing
body of each county, city or town within which any part of the area lies.

HISTORY: 1992, c. 812.