§925. Review by commissioner

            A.(1) A permittee issued a notice or order by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 30:921(A)(2) and (3), or any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected by such notice or order or by any modification, vacation, or termination of such notice or order, may apply to the commissioner for review of the notice or order within thirty days of receipt thereof or within thirty days of its modification, vacation, or termination. Upon receipt of such application, the commissioner shall cause such investigation to be made as he deems appropriate. Such investigation shall provide an opportunity for a public hearing, at the request of the applicant or the person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected, to enable the applicant or such person to present information relating to the issuance and continuance of such notice or order or the modification, vacation, or termination thereof. The filing of an application for review under this Subsection shall not operate as a stay of any order or notice.

            (2) The permittee and other interested persons shall be given written notice of the time and place of the hearing at least five days prior thereto. Any such hearing shall be of record and shall be subject to the Administrative Procedure Act except where the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act are in conflict with the provisions of this Chapter and the regulations issued by the commissioner pursuant to this Chapter, in which case the provisions of this Chapter and the regulations issued by the commissioner hereunder shall govern.

            B. Upon receiving the report of such investigation, the commissioner shall make findings of fact, and shall issue a written decision, incorporating therein an order vacating, affirming, modifying, or terminating the notice or order, or the modification, vacation, or termination of such notice or order complained of and incorporate his findings therein. Where the application for review concerns an order for cessation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations issued pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 30:921(A)(2) or (3), the commissioner shall issue the written decision within thirty days of the receipt of the application for review, unless temporary relief has been granted by the commissioner pursuant to Subsection C of this Section or by the court pursuant to R.S. 30:926(C).

            C. Pending completion of the investigation and hearing required by this section, the applicant may file with the commissioner a written request that the commissioner grant temporary relief from any notice or order issued under R.S. 30:921, together with a detailed statement giving reasons for granting such relief. The commissioner shall issue an order or decision granting or denying such relief expeditiously: Provided, that where the applicant requests relief from an order for cessation of coal mining and reclamation operations issued pursuant to R.S. 30:921(A)(2) and (3), the order or decision on such a request shall be issued within five days of its receipt. The commissioner may grant such relief, under such conditions as he may prescribe, if:

            (1) A hearing has been held in the locality of the permit area on the request for temporary relief in which all parties were given an opportunity to be heard.

            (2) The applicant shows that there is substantial likelihood that the findings of the commissioner will be favorable to him, and

            (3) Such relief will not adversely affect the health or safety of the public or cause significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air, or water resources.

            D. Following the issuance of an order to show cause as to why a permit should not be suspended or revoked pursuant to R.S. 30:921, the commissioner shall hold a public hearing after giving written notice of the time, place, and date thereof. Any such hearing shall be of record and shall be subject to the Administrative Procedure Act, except where the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act are in conflict with the provisions of this Chapter and the regulations issued by the commissioner pursuant to this Chapter, in which case the provisions of this Chapter and the regulations issued by the commissioner shall govern. Within sixty days following the public hearing, the commissioner shall issue and furnish to the permittee and all other parties to the hearing a written decision, and the reasons therefor, concerning suspension or revocation of the permit. If the commissioner revokes the permit, the permittee shall immediately cease surface coal mining operations on the permit area and shall complete reclamation within a period specified by the commissioner, or the commissioner shall declare as forfeited the performance bonds for the operation.

            E. Whenever an order is issued under this Section, or as a result of any administrative proceeding under this Chapter, at the request of any person, a sum equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses, including attorney fees, as determined by the commissioner to have been reasonably incurred by such person for or in connection with his participation in such proceedings, including any judicial review of agency actions, may be assessed against either party as the court, resulting from judicial review or the commissioner, resulting from administrative proceedings, deems proper.

            Added by Acts 1978, No. 406, §1. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 121, §6, eff. June 27, 1980.