Section 15-2909. Water resources management strategy; hearings

Upon receipt of the statewide water resources management strategy from
  the department of environmental conservation, the council shall promptly
  publish once a week for three consecutive weeks in newspapers of general
  circulation  notice of public hearings thereon. Public hearings shall be
  conducted in each of the substate areas  represented  in  the  statewide
  strategy,  and  shall  be  in accordance with regulations adopted by the
  department, subject to modification by  the  council.  Such  regulations
  shall,  at  a  minimum,  require  a  hearing  on  the  record with sworn
  witnesses and shall afford interested parties a  reasonable  opportunity
  to  sponsor  witnesses  and  to  question witnesses sponsored by others,
  including department staff, consistent with the  need  to  conclude  the
  hearings  expeditiously  so  that  a  state  water  resources management
  strategy can be adopted in a timely manner. The hearings  shall  not  be
  considered part of an adjudicatory proceeding, as defined in subdivision
  three  of  section one hundred two of the state administrative procedure
  act, or as part of a rule-making proceeding held under  subdivision  one
  of section two hundred two of such act.