Regulatory Program: West Virginia
Summary
This regulation from the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) establishes rules for how coal mining and related surface disturbance activities are regulated in West Virginia. The rules set environmental standards and oversight procedures to minimize damage to the land, water, and community resources affected by mining operations.
Key Points
- 1Sets environmental standards for coal mining operations in West Virginia, including requirements for protecting water quality and managing mining waste
- 2Establishes a permit and inspection system so state and federal regulators can monitor mining companies to ensure they follow environmental rules
- 3Requires mining companies to restore mined land after operations end, such as replanting vegetation and reshaping the terrain
- 4Applies to surface mining, underground mining with surface impacts, and related activities like mountaintop removal
- 5Affects mining companies operating in West Virginia and local communities near mining sites that depend on clean water and stable land
Impact Assessment
If you are an energy company operating coal mines in West Virginia, this means you must comply with new environmental standards and oversight procedures for surface disturbance activities to minimize damage to land, water, and community resources.
State-specific
Significant
Key Dates
February 20, 2026
Regulatory Connections
Rescission of the ``Ten-Day Notices and Corrective Action for State Regulatory Program Issues'' Rule
West Virginia Regulatory Program
Regulatory Program: Wyoming and Montana
Regulatory Program: West Virginia; Correction
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.