9VAC25-610-80. Declaration of groundwater management areas

A. If the board finds that any of the conditions listed in 9VAC25-610-70 exist, and further determines that the public welfare, safety and health require that regulatory efforts be initiated, the board shall declare the area in question a groundwater management area, by regulation.

B. Such regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the agency's Public Participation Guidelines ( 9VAC25-11 ) and the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

C. The regulation shall define the boundaries of the groundwater management area and identify the aquifers to be included in the groundwater management area. Any number of aquifers that either wholly or partially overlie one another may be included within the same groundwater management area.

D. After adoption the department shall mail by postal or electronic delivery 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 groundwater management area lies.