A. Any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected shall have the right to petition the Department to have an area designated as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations or to have such a designation terminated. Such a petition shall contain allegations of facts with supporting evidence which would tend to establish the allegations. Within ten (10) months after receipt of the petition the Department shall hold a public hearing in the locality of the affected area, after appropriate notice and publication of the date, time and location of such hearing. After a person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected has filed a petition and before the hearing, as required by this section, any person may intervene by filing allegations of facts with supporting evidence which would tend to establish the allegations. Within sixty (60) days after such hearing, the Department shall issue and furnish to the petitioner and any other party to the hearing, a written decision regarding the petition, and the reasons therefor. In the event that all the petitioners stipulate agreement prior to the requested hearing, and withdraw their request, such hearing need not be held.

B. Prior to designating any land areas as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations, the Department shall prepare a detailed statement on the potential coal resources of the area, the demand for coal resources, and the impact of such designation on the environment, the economy and the supply of coal.