45.1-386 - Responsibilities and duties of the Division.
§ 45.1-386. Responsibilities and duties of the Division.
The Division shall have for its responsibilities and duties the following:
1. An examination of the geological formations of the Commonwealth and theresources contained therein, with special reference to both economic productsand energy resources, namely, coals, ores, clays, feldspar, lime, naturalgas, oil, cement, sand and gravel, stone, materials suitable for use inbuilding and road construction, mineral waters, other mineral substances, andgeothermal energy resources.
2. An examination of latent resources and waste minerals to determine thebest methods of utilizing the same, studies of the soils and weatheredresiduum as related to parent rock.
3. The maintenance of repositories for representative rock and mineralmaterials from various wells, mines, excavations and naturally occurringexposures.
4. Maintenance of records and statistics of the mineral industry andgeological conditions of the Commonwealth.
5. Performance of such chemical and physical tests, including test borings,to acquire subsurface information relative to mineral deposits masked bysoils and rock overburden.
6. An examination of the physical features of the Commonwealth with referenceto their practical bearing upon the occupation and well-being of the people.
7. The preparation of special geological and economic maps and displays toillustrate the resources of the Commonwealth.
8. The preparation of regular and special reports, with necessaryillustrations and maps, which shall embrace both a general and detaileddescription of the geology and mineral resources of the Commonwealth.
9. The consideration of such other scientific and economic questions as inthe judgment of the Director shall be deemed of value to the people of theCommonwealth.
10. To arrange for the investigation and reporting of geology of theCommonwealth with the Director or the representative of the United StatesGeological Survey in regard to cooperation between the United StatesGeological Survey and the Department in topographic and geologic work in suchinstances as may be deemed necessary and of advantage to the Commonwealth. Inall cooperative work, a sum of money shall be expended by the United StatesGeological Survey at least equivalent to that expended by the Department. TheDirector may accept or reject the work of the United States Geological Survey.
11. The participation in matters requiring geological and mineral resourcesadvice and guidance as related to state lands and sought by state agenciesand institutions.
12. The provision of basic research and the development of methods utilizedin the determination of characteristics, structure and origin for geologicalformations and economic mineral deposits.
(1984, c. 590.)