Section R18-9-109. Public Participation

A.      Notice of Preliminary Decision.

1.        The Department shall publish a Notice of Preliminary Decision regarding the issuance or denial of a significant permit amendment or a final permit determination in one or more newspapers of general circulation where the facility is located.

2.        The Department shall accept written comments from the public before a significant permit amendment or a final permit determination is made.

3.        The written public comment period begins on the publi- cation date of the Notice of Preliminary Decision and extends for 30 calendar days.

B.       Public hearing.

1.        The Department shall provide notice and conduct a public hearing to address a Notice of Preliminary Decision regarding a significant permit amendment or final permit determination if:

a.         Significant public interest in a public hearing exists, or

b.        Significant issues or information has been brought to the attention of the Department that has not been considered previously in the permitting process.

2.        If, after publication of the Notice of Preliminary Deci- sion, the Department determines that a public hearing is necessary, the Department shall schedule a public hearing and publish the Notice of Preliminary Decision at least once, in one or more newspapers of general circulation where the facility is located.

3.        The Department shall accept written public  comment until the close of the hearing record as specified by the person presiding at the public hearing.

C.      The Department shall respond in writing to all comments sub- mitted during the formal public comment period.

D.      At the same time the Department notifies a permittee of a sig- nificant permit amendment or an applicant of the final permit determination, the Department shall send, through regular mail