§ 772.15 - Public availability of information.

§ 772.15 Public availability of information.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, all information submitted to the regulatory authority under this part shall be made available for public inspection and copying at the local offices of the regulatory authority closest to the exploration area.

(b) The regulatory authority shall keep information confidential if the person submitting it requests in writing, at the time of submission, that it be kept confidential and the information concerns trade secrets or is privileged commercial or financial information relating to the competitive rights of the persons intending to conduct coal exploration.

(c) Information requested to be held as confidential under paragraph (b) of this section shall not be made publicly available until after notice and opportunity to be heard is afforded persons both seeking and opposing disclosure of the information.