§ 170.16 - Conducting the public hearing.

(a) The Superintendent will appoint a tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs official to preside at the public hearing and to maintain a medium for free and open discussion designed to reach early and amicable resolution of issues.

(b) The Superintendent shall be responsible for maintaining a record of the hearing and shall make arrangements for appropriate officials to be present at the hearing to be responsive to questions which may arise.

(c) The purpose of the hearing and an agenda of items to be discussed should be presented at the beginning of the hearing. It should be made clear at the hearing that the tribal chairman or his designated roads committee are the officials responsible for setting reservation road priorities and considering the merits of one road proj-ect over another. Sufficient maps and project plans will be available at the hearing for public review. The hearing audience should be informed of the Bureau's road construction and right-of-way acquisition procedures on reservations. If the project will require relocating residences or businesses, information on relocation services and authorized payments will be given.