Notice rules for public hearings on water carrier applications

(a) Whenever the commission conducts a public hearing on an application for a certificate pursuant to section 271G-10, the commission shall provide reasonable notice in writing to the applicant for a certificate and to the public on each island that will be affected by the proposed service of the fact of the public hearing and the matter to be considered. Notice pursuant to this section shall be provided at least thirty days before the date fixed by the commission for the public hearing. (b) Notice provided pursuant to this section shall plainly state the proposed operations, routes, and services of the applicant and the proposed effective date. Notice under this section shall be effective upon compliance with subsection (c); provided that the commission shall retain and make available for public inspection copies of all notices and related documents issued pursuant to this section. (c) Any public hearing held pursuant to section 271G-10(c) shall be a noticed public hearing or hearings on the island or islands to which the water carrier proposes to provide services or which will be affected by the proposed service. Notice of the hearing, its purpose, and the date, time, and place at which it will open shall be given not less than once in each of three weeks on each island in the county or counties to which the water carrier proposes to provide services or which will be affected by the proposed service. The first notice shall be given not less than twenty-one days before the public hearing and the last notice shall be given not more than two days before the public hearing.