(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided, any notice, order, or other instrument issued by or under authority of the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission may be served upon any person affected thereby, personally or by publication. Proof of the service may be made in like manner as in the case of service of a summons in a civil action, with the proof to be filed in the office of the commission.
(b)
(1) Service may be had by mailing a copy of the notice, order, or other instrument, by certified mail, directed to the person affected at his or her last known post office address as shown by the files or records of the commission. Proof of the mailing may be made by the affidavit of the person that did the mailing, filed in the office of the commission.
(2) Service by publication shall be accomplished by one (1) insertion in a newspaper of general circulation in the area affected.
(c) Every certificate or affidavit of service made and filed as provided in this section shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated, and a certified copy thereof shall have like force and effect.