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 studyproceeding; hearing required.
A. The Board upon its own motion or, in its discretion, upon receipt of apetition by any county, city or town within the area in question, mayinitiate a ground water management area proceeding, whenever in its judgmentthere may be reason to believe that:
1. Ground water levels in the area are declining or are expected to declineexcessively;
2. The wells of two or more ground water users within the area areinterfering or may reasonably be expected to interfere substantially with oneanother;
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. Suchpollution includes any alteration of the physical, chemical or biologicalproperties of ground water which has a harmful or detrimental effect on thequality 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 thatregulatory efforts be initiated, the Board shall by regulation declare thearea in question to be a ground water management area. The Board shallinclude in its regulation a definition of the boundaries of the ground watermanagement area. The Board shall mail a copy of the regulation to the mayoror chairman of the governing body of each county, city or town within whichany part of the area lies.
(1992, c. 812.)