Section 20-7209. PUBLIC HEARING REQUIREMENT

 

7209.1The lead agency shall hold a public hearing on an EIS within forty-five (45) calendar days of any request made during the public comment period by twenty-five (25) registered voters in a single member district, or it there is significant public interest in the action that is the subject of the EIS.

 

7209.2The hearing shall provide an opportunity for the citizens affected by the environmental impacts of the proposed major action and other interested parties to present written and oral comments.

 

7209.3The applicant shall be given an opportunity to respond to all verbal or written public comments. Comments shall be addressed both individually and collectively and shall be responded to by:

 

(a)Supplementing, improving or modifying the analyses in the original EIS;

 

(b)Making factual corrections to the original EIS;

 

(c)Explaining why the comments do not warrant further response, by citing the sources, authorities, or reasons which support the position, and if appropriate, indicating those circumstances which would trigger agency reappraisal or further response; and

 

(d)By attaching to the response all comments received, whether or not the comment is thought to merit individual discussion and response.

 

7209.4All written and oral comments, and responses to those comments, become part of the record and shall be considered by the lead agency in deciding whether the EIS identifies an adverse effect and that the public health, safety or welfare is imminently and substantially endangered by the action.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 44 DCR 2799 (May 9, 1997).