§22-3A-1. Legislative findings; policy and purposes.
(a) The Legislature declares that the establishment of an
office within the division of environmental protection to enforce
blasting laws pursuant to surface mining within the state of West
Virginia is in the public interest and will promote the protection
of the property and citizens of the state of West Virginia without
sacrificing economic development. It is the policy of the state of
West Virginia, in cooperation with other governmental agencies,
public and private organizations, and the citizens of this state,
to use reasonable means and measures to prevent harm from the
effects of blasting to its property and citizens.
(b) It is the purpose of this article to create the office of
explosives and blasting within the division of environmental
protection, and to vest in the office the authority to enforce all
the rules and laws established to regulate blasting consistent with
the authority granted in this article.