released 2-22-10

West Virginia Farm Bureau endorses HB 4566, addressing landowner’s issues

BUCKHANNON, WV - West Virginia Farm Bureau has endorsed House Bill 4566, introduced during the West Virginia legislative session on Friday, February 19.

The bill, providing guidelines for an appropriate relationship between oil and gas extractors and the owners of surface rights and mineral interests, is sponsored by Delegates Woody Ireland, (R-Ritchie), Carol Miller, (R-Cabell), Linda Longstreth, (D-Marion), Mike Manypenny, (D-Taylor), William Romine, (R- Tyler) and Bill Hamilton (R-Upshur).

Unlike other surface owners rights legislation proposed earlier in the session, HB 4566 addresses specifics such as valuation of timber, secondary road inspection, landowner’s right of redemption of minerals, reflection of mineral ownership in deeds, supervision of contractors, and notification of landowners before any work can begin.

“This bill addresses the overriding concerns of our membership,” says Charles Wilfong, WVFB President. “We believe these issues are legitimate concerns of landowners everywhere in West Virginia.”

The bill was referred to Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business, then goes to Judiciary.

Representing more than 21,000 members, the West Virginia Farm Bureau was founded in 1919 to provide leadership, education, information, training and economic services to county farm bureaus to enhance the quality of life for its membership. For more information on WVFB, visit our website at www.wvfarm.org .