WEST VIRGINIA CODE
WVC 37 A-
CHAPTER 37A. ZONING.
WVC 37 A- 1 -
ARTICLE 1. RADIO ASTRONOMY ZONING ACT.
WVC 37 A- 1 - 1
§37A-1-1. Short title.
This article shall be known as the "Radio Astronomy Zoning
Act."
WVC 37 A- 1 - 2
§37A-1-2. Restrictions -- Within two miles of facility.
It shall be illegal to operate or cause to be operated any
electrical equipment within a two-mile radius of the reception
equipment of any radio astronomy facility if such operation
causes interference with reception by said radio astronomy
facility of radio waves emanating from any nonterrestrial source.
WVC 37 A- 1 - 3
§37A-1-3. Same -- Within ten miles of facility.
It shall be unlawful to operate or cause to be operated any
electrical equipment within a radius of ten miles of the
reception equipment of any radio astronomy facility, if the
instantaneous peak field strength of the emanation from such
electrical equipment is in excess of:
Ten microvolts per meter measured at a distance of ten feet
from such electrical equipment, if such electrical equipment is
located less than three miles from said reception equipment; ten
microvolts per meter measured at a distance of fifteen feet from
such electrical equipment, if such electrical equipment is
located less than four miles from said reception equipment; ten
microvolts per meter measured at a distance of twenty feet from
such electrical equipment, if such electrical equipment is
located less than five miles from said reception equipment; five
microvolts per meter measured at a distance of fifty feet from
such electrical equipment, if such electrical equipment is
located less than six miles from said reception equipment; six
microvolts per meter measured at a distance of fifty feet from
such electrical equipment, if such electrical equipment is
located less than seven miles from said reception equipment;
seven microvolts per meter measured at a distance of fifty feet
from such electrical equipment, if such electrical equipment is
located less than eight miles from said reception equipment;
eight microvolts per meter measured at a distance of fifty feet
from such electrical equipment, if such electrical equipment is
located less than nine miles from such reception equipment; nine microvolts per meter measured at a distance of fifty feet from
such electrical equipment, if such electrical equipment is
located less than ten miles from said reception equipment:
Provided, however, That notwithstanding the provisions of this
section, it shall not be unlawful to operate or cause to be
operated any electrical equipment so constructed or shielded as
not to cause interference with the reception by such radio
astronomy facility of radio waves emanating from a nonterrestrial
source.
WVC 37 A- 1 - 4
§37A-1-4. Applicability of article to existing equipment.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to render
unlawful the continued operation of electrical equipment within a
ten-mile radius of a radio astronomy site if such equipment
existed within such distance of such site previous to the
commencement of operation of such radio astronomy facility; or if
such equipment is intended as a replacement for such existing
equipment.
WVC 37 A- 1 - 5
§37A-1-5. Violations of article.
Any person knowingly operating or causing to be operated
electrical equipment in violation of the provisions of this
article shall be subject to a fine of fifty dollars plus an
additional fine of fifty dollars for each day such electrical
equipment is knowingly operated after receipt by such person of
written notice from the prosecuting attorney of the county in
which the radio astronomy facility is situated that such
operation is in violation of the provisions of this article.
WVC 37 A- 1 - 6
§37A-1-6. Same -- Injunctive relief.
The operation of any electrical equipment in violation of
this article shall be enjoined by the circuit court of the county
in which such electrical equipment is located upon petition filed
by the prosecuting attorney of such county or by the attorney
general of this state irrespective of any other legal remedy
available.
Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session