(a) Any person desiring to obtain a permit required by § 6604 of this title shall submit an application in such form and accompanied by such plans, specifications and other information as required by applicable regulations.
(b) Upon receipt of an application in proper form, the Secretary shall advertise in a daily newspaper of statewide circulation and in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the activity is proposed:
(1) The fact that the application has been received; and
(2) A brief description of the nature of the application.
The Secretary may hold a public hearing with respect to any application if it is deemed to be in the best public interest. The Secretary shall hold a public hearing if he or she receives a written meritorious objection within 20 days of advertisement. A public hearing request shall be deemed meritorious if it exhibits a familiarity with the application and a reasoned statement of the permit's probable impact.