Section 11-56-17 - Public hearings(a) The owner or operator, any interested agency, person, or group of persons may request or petition for a public hearing with respect to the determinations of persons subject to this chapter. Any request or petition for public hearing shall be submitted within thirty days of registration pursuant to section 11-56-5.(b) The director shall hold a hearing if the director determines that there is a significant public interest in holding the hearing. Instances of doubt should be resolved in favor of holding the hearing. Any hearing brought under this paragraph shall be held in the geographical area of the proposed facility or other appropriate area, at the director's discretion.(c) Any person may submit oral or written statements and data concerning the issue being heard.(d) Public notice for hearings shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the geographical area of the facility.(e) The public notice for hearings shall include: the name and address of the agency holding the public hearing; name and address of the facility being considered; a brief description of the facility and activities conducted; information regarding the date, time, and location of the hearing; the purpose of the hearing; a brief description of the nature of the hearing, including the rules and procedures to be followed; name, address, and telephone number of the person at the State from whom interested persons may obtain further information.(f) All publication and mailing costs associated with the public notice of the hearing shall be paid by the owner or operator of the facility being considered. The owner or operator shall submit the original signed affidavit of publication to the department within four weeks of the publication date. Failure to provide and pay for the public notification, as deemed appropriate by the director, is basis to delay authorization of discharges or may be considered a violation of this chapter.[Eff 6/25/2021] (Auth: HRS §§ 342D-4, 342E-2, 342E-3) (Imp: HRS §§ 42E-2, 342E-3)