Notice of proposed action

Sec. 16. (a) Before the commission: (1) makes a finding of the existence of an imperative and unavoidable public necessity under section 15 of this chapter; (2) grants an estate, an interest, or a right in a nature preserve under section 15 of this chapter; (3) disposes of a nature preserve or an estate, an interest, or a right in a nature preserve under section 15 of this chapter; or (4) enters into an amendment of articles of dedication under section 13 of this chapter; the department must give notice of the proposed action and an opportunity for any person to be heard. (b) The notice must be published at least one (1) time in a newspaper printed in the English language with a general circulation in each county in which the nature preserve is located. The notice must do the following: (1) Set forth the substance of the proposed action. (2) Describe, with or without legal description, the nature preserve affected. (3) Specify a place and time not less than thirty (30) days after the publication for a public hearing before the commission on the proposed action. (c) All persons desiring to be heard shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard before action by the commission on the proposal.