The term "surface mining" means to strip the earth by furrowing in the ground and opening the earth from the top to extract minerals. In recent years, surface mining of coal has become prevalent in certain counties of the State as a means by which coal can be extracted which cannot be mined underground. As a result of such operations, hilltops and mountainsides, if not reforested and revegetated, become ugly, barren spots in the midst of otherwise unmarred terrain. Another more serious condition resulting from failure to reclaim is siltation and soil erosion.

Another operation marring the scenic beauty of the State's landscape, is the creation of borrow pits, which are used to obtain sand and gravel for the construction of highways. With the vast federal Interstate Highway System, new construction of roads has reached on all-time high. Since these highways, by federal legislation, have no tourist attractions other than the natural beauty of the countryside, anything which detracts therefrom is more eye-catching. Of course highway construction is a vital part of the State's economy, both in the employment of personnel and increasing the tourist industry. Highway construction then is another vital industry of the State.

Thus, the conditions that these two industries create in the landscape beauty of Virginia are in some ways related and in 1964 the General Assembly adopted two resolutions: House Joint Resolution No. 40, directing the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to make a report and study of the problems associated with surface mining, with a view to determining the need for statutes requiring the restoration of strip mined areas and to control future mining so as to prevent harmful effects on the beauty of the land used for such mining operations; and House Joint Resolution No. 52, directing the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to make a study and report upon the steps necessary to be taken by the State Department of Highways to remove unsightly borrow pits.

Because the subject matter of these resolutions is related, they were combined for study. The Council selected John H. Daniel, Charlotte Court House, Virginia, member of the House of Delegates and of the Council to serve as Chairman of the Committee to make the initial studies and report to it. The following were chosen to serve with Mr. Daniel on this Committee: Paul Brown, Honaker, a retired mining engineer; J. V. Clarke, Richmond, Director of Operations, State Department of Highways; George W. Dean, Charlottesville, State Forester; Dr. W. C. Elliott, Lebanon, member of the House of Delegates; Lyman C. Harrell, Jr., Emporia, member of the House of Delegates; Thomas C. Johnstone, Arlington, executive, Krauser Company; Lawrence D. Langley, Arlington, Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company; J. M. B. Lewis, Jr., Roanoke, attorney at law and former Assistant General Counsel, Pocahontas Land Corporation; C. S. Luck, III, Richmond, Vice-President, Augusta Stone Corporation, and Dr. W. A. Pennington, Buckingham, member of the House of Delegates. Drs. W. C. Elliott and W. A. Pennington were elected Vice-Chairmen.

The Committee made a complete study of. the subject matter, including an on-site investigation and inspection of surface mining areas in Southwestern Virginia. Public hearings were held in Bristol and Richmond after full publicity was given thereto. The views of all interested persons were sought and given in detail. Based on its study, the Committee reported to the Council.

After carefully considering the report of the Committee, the Council now presents its findings and makes the following recommendations.