West Virginia Code Chapter 22C. Environmental Resources; Boards, Authorities, Commissions and Compacts § 22C-9-3. Application of article; exclusions

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the provisions of this article shall apply to all lands located in this state, however owned, including any lands owned or administered by any government or any agency or subdivision thereof, over which the state has jurisdiction under its police power. The provisions of this article are in addition to and not in derogation of or substitution for the provisions of § 22-6-1 et seq. of this code.

(b) This article shall not apply to or affect:

(c) The provisions of this article shall not be construed to grant to the commissioner or the commission authority or power to:

(d) Nothing contained in either this chapter or § 22-1-1 et seq. of this code may be construed so as to require, prior to commencement of plugging operations, a lessee under a lease covering a well to give or sell the well to any person owning an interest in the well, including, but not limited to, a respective lessor, or agent of the lessor, nor shall the lessee be required to grant to a person owning an interest in the well, including, but not limited to, a respective lessor, or agent of a lessor, an opportunity to qualify under § 22-6-26 of this code to continue operation of the well.