WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 481

(IV)   INDICATE THE LOCATION WHERE A COPY OF THE
APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION; AND

(V)  INCLUDE A STATEMENT THAT WRITTEN COMMENTS
AND REQUESTS FOR A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE
DEPARTMENT FOR AT LEAST 30 DAYS AFTER THE LAST NEWSPAPER
PUBLICATION.

[(ii)] (3) The Department shall provide written
notice of applications for permits to any person who requests
written notice.

[(2) If a hearing is requested, within 60 days after
submission of the completed applications required by subsection
(b) of this section, the Secretary shall conduct a hearing with
the operator. The hearing shall be conducted in a manner that
fulfills the requirements of all other permit provisions of the
Natural Resources Article.]

[(3) (4) Prior to the hearing, the Secretary shall
seek the recommendations of the Land Reclamation Committee
concerning the general reclamation plan for the affected area. ]

(D) (1) IF A HEARING IS REQUESTED WITHIN THE COMMENT PERIOD
SET FORTH IN THE PUBLIC NOTICE, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY THE
APPLICANT AND ANY PERSON WHO REQUESTS THE HEARING OF THE DATE,
TIME, AND LOCATION OF THE HEARING. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBLISH
THE DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF THE HEARING IN A NEWSPAPER OF
GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE COUNTY OF THE PROPOSED OPERATION.

(2)  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HOLD THE HEARING AT LEAST 15
BUT NOT MORE THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES PUBLIC
NOTICE OF THE HEARING. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHALL BE PROVIDED
AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE APPLICATION IN WRITING UNTIL THE
DATE OF THE HEARING AND COPIES OF THE APPLICATION SHALL BE
AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE DEPARTMENT AND AT THE SOIL
CONSERVATION DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE COUNTY OF THE PROPOSED MINE
SITE 15 DAYS BEFORE THE HEARING.

(3)  A RECORD OF THE HEARING SHALL BE MADE AND BE
AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

[(d)] (E) (1) The Secretary shall approve, reject, or
modify the proposed deep mining plans. If a hearing is
requested, after the hearing, the Secretary shall approve,
reject, or modify the proposed deep mining plans.

(2) If the Secretary modifies or rejects a deep
mining plan, the operator shall be notified in writing of the
reasons for rejection or the modifications required. The operator
may resubmit the plan with the requested corrections or
modifications to the Secretary.

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