Those SMAs identified in the PROGRAM as of the date these procedures and

Those SMAs identified in the PROGRAM as of the date these procedures and guidelines are adopted, are designated as SMAs. The following process will be used to designate additional SMAs. A. An area may be nominated by a concerned agency, organization, or person. The nomination must include a specific description of the area and a justification for the nomination. B. The Department will conduct an examination of the nomination to determine its merits, and more specifically to determine whether a SMA designation is needed to manage the area properly in light of the purposes specified in this chapter. A public hearing may be held at the discretion of the Executive Director. After completing its examination of the nomination, the Department will make a recommendation to the Executive Director as to whether the nominated areas should be designated as a SMA. C. The Executive Director may act on the Department’s recommendation. MISS. CODE ANN. §§49-27-1 et seq. and 15 C.F.R. 923.20 – 923.25.