12 2 STA T .3750PUBLIC LA W 110 – 3 4 2 —O CT. 3 , 200 8‘ ‘ d.TheParti e s a g ree that the p r o te c tio n o f the integrit y of the G reat L a k es —S t. La w rence R i v er B asin E cosyste m sha l l b e the overarching principle for reviewing Proposals s u b j ect to Regional Review , recogni z ing uncertainties with respect to demands that may be placed on Basin W ater, including ground - water, levels and flows of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, future changes in environmental conditions, the reli- ability of e x isting data and the extent to which D iversions may harm the integrity of the Basin Ecosystem. ‘‘e. The O riginating Party shall have lead responsibility for coordinating information for resolution of issues related to evaluation of a Proposal, and shall consult with the A pplicant throughout the Regional Review Process. ‘‘f. A majority of the members of the Regional Body may re q uest Regional Review of a regionally significant or poten- tially precedent setting Proposal. Such Regional Review must be conducted, to the extent possible, within the time frames set forth in this Section. Any such Regional Review shall be undertaken only after consulting the Applicant. ‘‘ 2 . N otice from Originating Party to the Regional Body. ‘‘a. The Originating Party shall determine if a Proposal is subject to Regional Review. I f so, the Originating Party shall provide timely notice to the Regional Body and the public. ‘‘b. Such notice shall not be given unless and until all information, documents and the Originating Party ’ s Technical Review needed to evaluate whether the Proposal meets the Standard of Review and Decision have been provided. ‘‘c. An Originating Party may
‘‘i. Provide notice to the Regional Body of an Applica- tion, even if notification is not required
or, ‘‘ii. Request Regional Review of an application, even if Regional Review is not required. Any such Regional Review shall be undertaken only after consulting the Applicant. ‘‘d. An Originating Party may provide preliminary notice of a potential Proposal. ‘‘ 3 . Public Participation. ‘‘a. To ensure adequate public participation, the Regional Body shall adopt procedures for the review of Proposals that are subject to Regional Review in accordance with this Article. ‘‘b. The Regional Body shall provide notice to the public of a Proposal undergoing Regional Review. Such notice shall indicate that the public has an opportunity to comment in writing to the Regional Body on whether the Proposal meets the Standard of Review and Decision. ‘‘c. The Regional Body shall hold a public meeting in the State or Province of the Originating Party in order to receive public comment on the issue of whether the Proposal under consideration meets the Standard of Review and Decision. ‘‘d. The Regional Body shall consider the comments received before issuing a Declaration of F inding. ‘‘e. The Regional Body shall forward the comments it receives to the Originating Party. ‘‘ 4 . Technical Review. ‘‘a. The Originating Party shall provide the Regional Body with its Technical Review of the Proposal under consideration. Publicme e t i ngs.No ti f ic a tion. Notification.
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