The responsible local government and the Executive Director, acting through the

The responsible local government and the Executive Director, acting through the Department, will enter into an agreement to develop a SMA Plan. The agreement may be at the initiative of either party. The agreement must state the scope of work to be performed, the responsibilities of the parties involved, and the nature of any involvement with other agencies or consultants. A. Federal agencies, particularly the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency, must be consulted and involved in the early stages of planning. The Department and the local government will jointly develop a draft of the plan in cooperation with federal agencies, with the Department providing general oversight. During the course of the plan’s development, public hearings or meetings may be held. If private lands are included in a SMA Plan, a hearing must be held. B. The draft SMA Plan must be submitted to the local government or state agency and the Executive Director for concurrence and must be submitted to appropriate federal agencies. C. A public hearing must be held on the draft plan prior to its formal adoption. Such a hearing must be advertised and held in the manner specified in Chapter 05. D. Based on the comments received during the public hearing, the draft plan will be revised as appropriate, and considered for final approval by the local government or agency involved, and the Executive Director. Upon final approval by the Executive Director, a notice must be published at least once a week for three weeks. The notice must describe the contents of the proposal. E. When approved according to these procedures, the specific provisions of a SMA Plan will prevail over the more general provisions of the coastal program. MISS. CODE ANN. §§49-27-1 et seq. and 15 C.F.R. 923.20 – 923.25.