Virginia § 62.1-257 - When Board may initiate a ground water management area study proceeding; hearing required

§ 62.1-257. When Board may initiate a ground water management area study proceeding; hearing required

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.

1992, c. 812.