Sec. 3. (a) The local bodies, agencies, authorities, or companies notified under section 2 of this chapter may, within thirty (30) days of notification, submit written comments concerning the permit applications with respect to the effect of the proposed surface coal mining operation on the environment in their area of responsibility.
(b) The director shall immediately do the following:
(1) Transmit the comments to the applicant.
(2) Make the comments available to the public at the same locations that the permit applications are available.