(a) Before adopting a final remedial action plan, the department or the regional board shall prepare or approve a draft remedial action plan and shall do all of the following:

(1) Circulate the draft plan for at least 30 days for public comment.

(2) Notify affected local and state agencies of the removal and remedial actions proposed in the remedial action plan and publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected by the draft remedial action plan. The department or the regional board shall also post notices in the location where the proposed removal or remedial action would be located and shall notify, by direct mailing, the owners of property contiguous to the site addressed by the plan, as shown in the latest equalized assessment roll.

(3) Hold one or more meetings with the lead and responsible agencies for the removal and remedial actions, the potentially responsible parties for the removal and remedial actions, and the interested public, to provide the public with the information that is necessary to address the issues that concern the public. The information to be provided shall include an assessment of the degree of contamination, the characteristics of the hazardous substances, an estimate of the time required to carry out the removal and remedial actions, and a description of the proposed removal and remedial actions.

(4) Comply with Section 78930.

(b) After complying with subdivision (a), the department or the regional board shall review and consider any public comments, and shall revise the draft plan, if appropriate. The department or the regional board shall then issue the final remedial action plan.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 257, Sec. 2. (AB 2293) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 4 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 257.)