Ch. 739                                    1994 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(v) The means of storage, treatment, and disposal of all waste
products generated by the exploration or production of oil or gas at the proposed site;

(vi) The potential risks and harm to the Chesapeake Bay and its
tributaries that may result from a discharge of gas or oil; and

(vii) Any other relevant information that the Department deems
necessary.]

[(b) If a public hearing is requested, the Department shall:

(1)     Notify the applicant and any person who requested the hearing of the
date, time, and location of the hearing; and

(2)     Publish the date, time, and location of the hearing in a newspaper of
general circulation in the area of the proposed operation.]

[(c) (1) Within 30 days after the close of the public hearing record, the
Department shall:                                       

(i) Approve or reject the permit application; and

(ii) Notify the applicant and any participants in the public hearing of
the Department's decision.

     (2) If the Department decides to deny the permit, the notification of denial
shall state the reason, any modification necessary for approval of the application, and the
rights of the applicant to appeal the decision as provided in Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the
State Government Article.

(3)     Within 30 days of the Department's decision, any person adversely
affected by the decision may. request an adjudicatory hearing.

(4)     The Department shall conduct the hearing in accordance with the
provisions of Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.]

[(d) If an applicant or a person with an interest which is or may be adversely
affected has participated in the administrative proceedings provided under subsection (c)
of this section as an objector and is aggrieved by the decision of the Department to issue
or deny a permit, the applicant or person shall have the right to judicial review in
accordance with the provisions of Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.]

(B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE, PUBLIC
INFORMATIONAL HEARINGS, AND CONTESTED CASE HEARINGS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF § 8-206 OF THIS ARTICLE.

7-206.

(a) (1) Before any person conducts surface coal mining and reclamation
operations, the person shall obtain the Committee's approval of the reclamation plan for
the site.

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