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118.01.18-1402. Confidentiality

AR ADC 118.01.18-1402Arkansas Administrative CodeEffective: December 25, 2021

West's Arkansas Administrative Code
Title 118. Department of Energy and Environment
Division 01. Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission
Rule 18. Rule NO. 18: Arkansas Air Pollution Control Code
Chapter 14. Public Information and Confidentiality
Effective: December 25, 2021
Ark. Admin. Code 118.01.18-1402
Formerly cited as AR ADC 014.01.5-14
118.01.18-1402. Confidentiality
Information which constitutes a trade secret shall be held confidential and segregated from the public files of the Division if requested in writing by the permit applicant in accordance with this subsection.
(A) For purposes of this subsection, “Trade Secret” means any information, including formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, process, or rate of production that:
(1) derives independent economic value (actual or potential) from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable through, proper means by other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and
(2) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.
(B) In order to establish entitlement to confidentiality, the applicant must submit a sworn affidavit to the Division that is subject to public scrutiny which describes in a manner that does not reveal trade secrets, the processes or market conditions that supports the applicant's confidentiality claim in the terms of Rule 18.1402(A)(1) and (2). This affidavit must also recite the following:
“The applicant agrees to act as an indispensable party and to exercise extraordinary diligence in any legal action arising from the Division's denial of public access to the documents or information claimed herein to be a trade secret.”
If an applicant anticipates numerous permit modifications that may involve regulatory review of trade secrets, it may submit an omnibus affidavit establishing the prerequisites of Rule 18.1402(A)(1) and (2) and reference this document in future confidentiality claims.
(C) Confidentiality claims shall be afforded interim protected status until the Division determines whether the requirements of Rule 18.402(B) are satisfied. The Division shall make such determination prior to the issuance of any permit or publication of any draft permit. In the event the Division does not make such determination prior to permit issuance, the information shall be deemed confidential until a request is made. If a third party request to review information claimed as confidential is received before the Division provides its written determination concerning the claim, the Division shall not release such information before notifying the applicant of the request. The Division shall notify the applicant of the request and the Division's determination on the confidentiality claim at least two business days before releasing the information, at which time the applicant may choose to supplement its affidavit supporting confidentiality or seek legal recourse.
(D) For any permit application submitted subject to a claim of trade secret, the applicant shall provide two copies of the application; one prominently marked as confidential and another that is subject to public review with confidential information excised. The Division will not accept applications that are deemed totally confidential.

Credits

Amended June 13, 2010; March 14, 2016; Dec. 25, 2021.
Current with amendments received through February 15, 2024. Some sections may be more current, see credit for details.
Ark. Admin. Code 118.01.18-1402, AR ADC 118.01.18-1402
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