Sec. 11. (a) If written objections are filed and a hearing requested under section 10 of this chapter, the director shall do the following:

(1) Inform all the interested parties of the date, time, and location of the hearing.

(2) Publish notice of the information one (1) time each week for two (2) consecutive weeks:

(A) with each publication of notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the surface coal mining and reclamation operation proposed for bond release is located; or

(B) with the first publication of notice in the newspaper described in clause (A) and the second publication of notice:

(i) in accordance with IC 5-3-5; and

(ii) on the official web site of the county where the surface coal mining and reclamation operation proposed for bond release is located.

     (b) The director shall hold the public hearing in accordance with IC 14-34-4-5:

(1) in the county where the surface coal mining and reclamation operation proposed for bond release is located; or

(2) at the state capital;

at the option of the objector, within thirty (30) days of the request for the hearing.

     (c) At a hearing held under this section, the director may inspect the land affected and other surface coal mining operations carried on by the applicant in the vicinity.

     (d) The director shall notify the permittee in writing of the decision and findings of the hearing within thirty (30) days of the completion of the hearing.

     (e) The director’s decision is subject to IC 4-21.5.

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-4.1-6-7(e).]

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.27. Amended by P.L.152-2021, SEC.25.