(1) Before streams are classified or standards established or modified, the department shall hold a public hearing.

(a) Notice of the hearing specifying the waters concerned and the classification, standards or modification of them shall be published at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the area affected.

(b) Notice shall also be mailed directly to persons the department believes may be affected by the proposed action.

(c) The water pollution control advisory council shall be given not less than 30 days prior to first publication to comment on the proposed action.

(d) The general rules of procedure found in ARM 17.4.101 relating to rulemaking will be followed.