R315-124-12. Procedures for Decisionmaking -- Public Hearings

  (a)(1) The Director shall hold a public hearing whenever the Director finds, on the basis of requests, a significant degree of public interest in a draft permit(s);

  (2) The Director may also hold a public hearing at the Director's discretion, whenever, for instance, such a hearing might clarify one or more issues involved in the permit decision;

  (3)(i) the Director shall hold a public hearing whenever the Director receives written notice of opposition to a draft permit and a request for a hearing within 45 days of public notice under Subsection R315-124-10(b)(1);

  (ii) whenever possible the Director shall schedule a hearing under Section R315-124-12 at a location convenient to the nearest population center to the proposed facility;

  (4) Public notice of the hearing shall be given as specified in Section R315-124-10.

  (b) Whenever a public hearing will be held, the Director shall designate a Presiding Officer for the hearing who shall be responsible for its scheduling and orderly conduct.

  (c) Any person may submit oral or written statements and data concerning the draft permit. Reasonable limits may be set upon the time allowed for oral statements, and the submission of statements in writing may be required. The public comment period under Section R315-124-10 shall automatically be extended to the close of any public hearing under Section R315-124-12. The hearing officer may also extend the comment period by so stating at the hearing.

  (d) An electronic recording or written transcript of the hearing shall be made available to the public.