1. (a) Before the commission:

   1. (1) makes a finding of the existence of an imperative and unavoidable public necessity under section 15 of this chapter;
   2. (2) grants an estate, an interest, or a right in a nature preserve under section 15 of this chapter;
   3. (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. (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.

2. (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. (1) Set forth the substance of the proposed action.
   2. (2) Describe, with or without legal description, the nature preserve affected.
   3. (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.

3. (c) All persons desiring to be heard shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard before action by the commission on the proposal.

   [Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-4-5-9.]

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.24.