OAR 340-209-0070: Hearing Procedures

When a public hearing is required or requested, DEQ will provide the hearing at a reasonable place and time before taking the final permit action. (1) Notice of the hearing may be given either in the notice accompanying the proposed or draft permit action or in such other manner as is reasonably calculated to inform interested persons. DEQ will provide notice of the hearing at least 30 days before the hearing. (2) Presiding Officer. A Presiding Officer will preside over the public hearing and ensure that proper procedures are followed to allow for the public to comment on the proposed permit action. (a) Before accepting oral or written comments by members of the public, the Presiding Officer or DEQ representative will present a summary of the proposed permit action DEQ's preliminary decision. During this period, there may be an opportunity to ask questions about the proposed or draft permit action. (b) The Presiding Officer will then provide an opportunity for interested persons to submit oral or written comments regarding the proposed permit action. Interested persons are encouraged to submit written comments because time constraints may be imposed, depending on the level of participation. While public comment is being accepted, discussion of the proposed or draft permit action will not be allowed. (c) After the public hearing, the Presiding Officer will prepare a report of the hearing that includes the date and time of the hearing, the permit action, names of persons attending the hearing, written comments, and a summary of the oral comments. The Presiding Officer's report will be entered into the permit action record. NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan that EQC adopted under OAR 340-200-0040.