45.1-197.5 - Agreements with owners or lessees; reclamation by Director. - Virginia Statutes

§ 45.1-197.5. Agreements with owners or lessees; reclamation by Director.

The Director is authorized to enter into agreements with owners or lessees oforphaned lands when the owners agree to the reclamation of such lands by theDivision to the extent and in the manner deemed appropriate or reasonable bythe Director. In no event shall the Director return orphaned land to otherthan the minimum potential use thereof which obtained prior to the initiationof mining operations unless the landowner or owners, lessee or lessees, agreeto bind himself or themselves to the payment of the additional cost upon suchterms as the Director deems reasonable. In entering into such agreements, theDirector shall be guided by the priorities for reclamation established byhim, but in no event shall the Director enter into such agreement unlessfunds are immediately available for the performance of the agreement by theDirector as hereinafter provided.

(1978, c. 634.)