4VAC25-145-10. Definitions.

"Department" means the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.

"Director" means the Director of the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy.

"Division" means the Division of Mined Land Reclamation.

"Net worth" means total assets less total liabilities including funds pledged or otherwise obligated to the Commonwealth or other in effect at any time during the contract period and any other contingent liabilities that might materially affect the Commonwealth's ability to realize the amount of bond required in the event of forfeiture.

"Operator" means any person engaging in coal surface mining operations whether or not such coal is sold within or without the Commonwealth.

"Reclamation project" means any work contracted out by or on behalf of the division for reclamation of eligible lands and waters, and defined in § 45.1-262 of the Code of Virginia and funded by the Federal Office of Surface Mining or reclamation of mined lands where the operator who mined the land has had his bond covering the land forfeited to the division or otherwise defaulted on his reclamation obligation and the project is funded either by the forfeited bond or the Virginia Coal Surface Mining Reclamation Fund.

"Relevant mining experience" means at least three years of satisfactory mining and reclamation work in the Commonwealth under Chapters 17 or Chapter 19 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia or a combination of both. The operator shall have active reclamation work experience for two of the three years.

"State reclamation program" means Articles 4 and 5 of Chapter 19 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia, as well as reclamation done by or for the Commonwealth and funded by the forfeited bond of an operator.

4VAC25-145-20. Satisfactory mining and reclamation work Operator requirements.

A. Operators must demonstrate relevant mining experience in order to bid on or be awarded contracts for any reclamation project in the Commonwealth. An operator may demonstrate satisfactory mining and reclamation work to the division by showing (i) that the operator has obtained partial or complete bond release on a coal surface mining permit obtained pursuant to Chapter 17 or 19 of Title 45.1 of the Code of Virginia under his control, or that all reclamation work on any active permit operated or controlled by the operator is up-to-date up to date; and (ii) that no coal surface mining permit under his control has any outstanding violations of any federal, state or local agency's laws, rules, regulations or ordinances unless the operator submits proof to the division that such violations have been corrected or are being corrected to the satisfaction of the agencies citing of such violations.

B. No operator shall be allowed to bid on or be awarded contracts for any reclamation project in the Commonwealth if:

1. The director of the department, after opportunity for a hearing, finds that the operator controls or has controlled mining operations with a demonstrated pattern of willful violations of the Federal Act or State Reclamation Program of such nature and duration with such resulting environmental damage as to indicate an intent not to comply with the Federal Act, P.L. 95-87 or State Reclamation Program.

2. The operator has had a coal surface mining permit revoked or suspended and has not been re-instated by the director; has had his bond forfeited,; or has received an order to show cause why his permit should not be revoked or suspended.

4VAC25-145-30. Compliance with other laws and obligations.

A. The operator bidding or seeking to bid on reclamation projects shall comply with all other applicable laws, ordinances, orders, rules and regulations of any federal, state or local agency with jurisdiction over the operator's mining or reclamation activities.

B. The operator shall comply with all applicable requirements of the division with regard to bidding on reclamation projects in the Commonwealth, excepting any requirements waived by § 45.1-161.1 of the Code of Virginia and this regulation.

4VAC25-145-40. Financial information; bonding.

A. Any operator bidding or seeking to bid on reclamation projects in the Commonwealth shall submit prior to the bidding, certification by a CPA certified public accountant, that the company has a net worth of at least $1 million in order to qualify for 50% reduction in the performance bond. Certification of at least $500,000 will qualify the applicant for a reduction of 25% of the performance bond. Net worth under $500,000 will not be eligible for any adjustment in the bid and performance bond.

B. The director, or his designee, after reviewing the information contained in the CPA statements certification described in subsection A of this section, shall adjust the bid and performance bonds accordingly unless he has information available to him that would contradict the net worth.

C. Net worth means total assets less total liabilities including funds pledged or otherwise obligated to the Commonwealth or other in effect at any time during the contract period and any other contingent liabilities that might materially affect the Commonwealth's ability to realize the amount of bond required in the event of forfeiture.