2005 West Virginia Code - §22-21-16. — Notice to owners.

§22-21-16. Notice to owners.

(a) At least thirty days prior to the date set for hearing under section seventeen of this article, the applicant shall deliver by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, notice to the following:
(1) Each coal owner and coal operator of any coal seam underlying any tract or portion thereof which is proposed to be included in the unit;
(2) Each owner and lessee of record and each operator of natural gas surrounding the well bore and existing in formations above the top of the uppermost member of the "Onondaga Group" or at a depth less than six thousand feet, whichever is shallower. Notices to gas operators shall be sufficient if served upon the agent of record with the office of oil and gas;
(3) Any coalbed methane owner to the extent not otherwise named; and
(4) Any other person or entity known to the operator to have an interest in the coal or coalbed methane.
(b) The notice required by subsection (a) of this section shall specify a time and place for a conference and a hearing on this application, shall advise the persons notified that the applicant has filed an application for a drilling unit for the production of coalbed methane, that they may be present and object or offer comments to the formation of the proposed unit, and shall be accompanied with copies of (i) the permit application for the coalbed methane well, (ii) the permit application for the drilling unit, and (iii) the plat of the drilling unit.