(b) Each county shall recommend to the Department those areas in the county that should be designated as areas of critical State concern.

(c) Before designating an area as an area of critical State concern, the Secretary shall consult with and consider any recommendations submitted by affected political subdivisions.

(d) The Secretary may adopt regulations for the political subdivisions to use in recommending areas to be designated as areas of critical State concern.

(e) The Department shall:

(1) furnish to the governing body of each affected political subdivision the full text of each proposed designation of an area as an area of critical State concern;

(2) give each political subdivision affected by a proposed designation at least 45 days to review and comment on the proposed designation; and

(3) publish its designation of areas of critical State concern, together with all written comments received from political subdivisions regarding the areas designated.