(a) At least 30 days before the issuance of a permit under AS 16.10.400, a public hearing shall be held in a central location in the vicinity of the proposed hatchery facility.
(b) Notice of the hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for three consecutive weeks, with completion of the notice at least 10 days before the hearing.
(c) The hearing shall be conducted by the department. At a hearing for a permit under AS 16.10.400(a)(1), the applicant shall present a plan for the proposed hatchery, describing the capacity of the hatchery and other relevant facts that may be of interest to the department or the public. Interested members of the public shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard.
(d) The department shall record and consider objections and recommendations offered by the public at the hearing conducted under this section. It shall respond in writing, within 10 days after the hearing is held, to any specific objections offered by a member of the public at the hearing.