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A.  At the time of submission of an application for a surface coal mining and reclamation permit, or revision of an existing permit, pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, the applicant shall submit to the commissioner a copy of his advertisement of the ownership, precise location, and boundaries of the land to be affected.  At the time of submission such advertisement shall be placed by the applicant in a local newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the proposed surface mine at least once a week for four consecutive weeks.  The commissioner shall notify various affected local governmental bodies, planning agencies, sewage and water treatment authorities and water companies in the locality in which the proposed surface mining will take place, notifying them of the operator’s intention to surface mine a particularly described tract of land and indicating the application’s permit number and where a copy of the proposed mining and reclamation plan may be inspected.  These local bodies, agencies, authorities or companies may submit written comments within a reasonable period established by the commissioner on the mining application with respect to the effect of the proposed operation on the environment which are within their area of responsibility.  Such comments shall immediately be transmitted to the applicant by the commissioner and shall be made available to the public at the same locations as are the mining applications.

B.  Any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected or the officer or head of any state, federal or local governmental agency or authority shall have the right to file written objections to the proposed initial or revised application for a permit for surface coal mining and reclamation operations with the commissioner within thirty days after the last publication of the above notice.  Such objections shall immediately be transmitted to the applicant by the commissioner and shall be made available to the public.  If written objections are filed and an informal conference requested, the commissioner shall then hold an informal conference in the locality of the proposed mining if requested within a reasonable time of the receipt of such objections or request.  The date, time and location of such informal conference shall be advertised by the commissioner in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality of the proposed mining operation at least two weeks prior to the scheduled conference date.  The commissioner may arrange with the applicant upon request by any party to the administrative proceeding access to the proposed mining area for the purpose of gathering information relevant to the proceeding.  An electronic or stenographic record shall be made of the conference proceeding, unless waived by all parties.  Such record shall be maintained and shall be accessible to the parties until final release of the applicant’s performance bond.  In the event all parties requesting the informal conference stipulate agreement prior to the requested informal conference and withdraw their request, such informal conference need not be held.

Acts 1978, No. 406, §1.