<!doctype html> <html> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-KP41DY94PJ"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-KP41DY94PJ'); </script>  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cloud.typography.com/616688/6528192/css/fonts.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Merriweather:700">  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://sec.nv.gov/assets/styles/main.css">  <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="https://sec.nv.gov/assets/images/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="https://sec.nv.gov/assets/images/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="https://sec.nv.gov/assets/images/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="https://sec.nv.gov/assets/images/manifest.json">  <script src="https://sec.nv.gov/assets/scripts/lib/modernizr.min.js"></script> </head> <body> <div class="main-wrapper"> <nav class="mp-menu" aria-hidden="true"><div class="mp-level"><ul id="push-nav"><li class="first"><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/meetings/">Hearings & Meetings</a></li> <li><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/about-us/">About Us</a> <div class='mp-level'> <a class='mp-back' href='#'><span class='icon icon-left-triangle' aria-hidden='true'></span> Back</a> <h2><a href='https://sec.nv.gov/about-us/'>About Us</a></h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/about-us/sec-procedural-authorities/">SEC Regulations</a></li> <li><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/about-us/rule-making/">Environmental Rulemaking</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/about-us/sec-commissioners/">SEC Commissioners and Staff</a></li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="parent-mp-current"><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/participate/">Participate</a> <div class='mp-level'> <a class='mp-back' href='#'><span class='icon icon-left-triangle' aria-hidden='true'></span> Back</a> <h2><a href='https://sec.nv.gov/participate/'>Participate</a></h2> <ul> <li class="mp-current first"><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/participate/sec-appeal-process/">SEC Appeal Process</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/participate/forms-and-documents/">Forms and Documents</a></li> </ul> </div> </li> <li><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/contact-us/">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/how-rules-are-made/">How Rules Are Made</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/our-appeal-process/">Our Appeal Process</a></li> </ul></div></nav> <div class="wrapper"> <nav class="nav"> <div class="container"> <div class="nav__content"> <div class="nav__logo"> <a href="/"> <img src="https://sec.nv.gov/assets/images/logo.svg" width="350" height="87" alt="Nevada State Environmental Commission"> </a> </div> <div class="nav__menu"> <ul> <li><a href="/meetings">Hearings & Meetings</a></li> <li><a href="/participate">Participate</a></li> <li><a href="/about-us/">About US</a></li> <li><a href="/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/search" aria-label="Search"><span class="icon icon--search" aria-hidden="true"></span></a></li> <li><a href="https://epayments.ndep.nv.gov/" class="button" target="_blank">Make Payment</a></li> </ul> </div> <button class="nav__mobile-menu js-nav__mobile-menu" type="button"> <span class="nav__mobile-menu-text">Menu</span> <span class="nav__mobile-menu-bars"></span> </button> </div> </div> </nav> <div class="header" style="background-image: url(https://sec.nv.gov/uploads/images/appealhearingheader.jpg)"></div> <article class="article" role="main"> <div class="container"> <ul class="breadcrumbs"> <li><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/participate/">Participate</a></li><li class="last">SEC Appeal Process</li> </ul> <div class="article__container"> <div class="article__content"> <h1>SEC Appeal Process</h1> <p>Through our appeal process, the public can dispute final decisions made by the <a href="https://ndep.nv.gov/" target="_blank">Nevada Division of Environmental Protection</a>. Appeals often concern compliance orders, environmental permits, or other NDEP decisions. After reviewing the facts, evidence, and legal context of a case, we issue a final decision to resolve the conflict. Our appeal hearings are open to the public but are addressed in a quasi-judicial setting. Much like a court room then, appeals are “contested cases” that are not subject to Nevada's Open Meeting Law. </p> <p><strong>If you want to comment on issues associated with an appeal, you may only do so during the final comment period after the appeal hearing concludes.</strong></p> <div style="background:#eee; border:1px solid #ccc; padding:5px 10px"> <blockquote> <h4>Need to Make an Appeal?</h4> <p><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/participate/forms-and-documents/">Fill out SEC Form #3 to get started</a></p> </blockquote> </div> <h2>On What Evidence Can I Base an Appeal?</h2> <p><img alt="A microphone on a table " src="https://sec.nv.gov/uploads/images/Signup.png" style="float:right; height:267px; margin:5px; width:400px" />Nevada law gives you six grounds for filing an appeal. You may appeal because a decision:</p> <ol> <li>Violated any constitutional or statutory provision</li> <li>Exceeded the statutory authority of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection</li> <li>Was made upon unlawful procedure</li> <li>Was affected by other error of law</li> <li>Was clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the whole record</li> <li>Was arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion</li> </ol> <hr /> <h2>Four Steps to the SEC Appeal Process</h2> <h3>1. Someone Files an Appeal</h3> <p>Appeals must be made within 10 days after a final NDEP decision is made, except for certain decisions related to water pollution control (<a href="https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-445A.html#NRS445ASec690" target="_blank">NRS 445A.690</a>). We work with all parties to set a date for the hearing.</p> <h3>2. We May Ask for Briefs</h3> <p>In many cases, we issue an order for briefs in preparation for the hearing. Briefs, submitted on an agreed schedule, help delineate the issues surrounding the case and facilitate a more focused appeal hearing.</p> <h3>3. We Hold a Hearing</h3> <p>Each party makes a case, which may include opening statements, testimony (given under oath), cross examination, and exhibits (evidence). In most cases, parties to the appeal are represented by an attorney.</p> <h3>4. We Rule on the Appeal</h3> <p>After each party has made its case and arguments are over, we openly discuss the case. We then rule by motion to uphold, modify, or revert the decision being contested. We may also take the case under submission and notify the parties 30 days after the hearing of our findings and recommendations.</p> <hr /> <h2>More About Appeals</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/meetings/">Recent appeal hearings</a></li> <li><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/uploads/documents/SEC_Rules_of_Practice.pdf">SEC rules of practice</a></li> <li><a href="https://sec.nv.gov/uploads/documents/SEC_Information_Packet.pdf">SEC Information Packet</a></li> </ul> <h3>Relevant Laws and Regulations:</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-233B.html" target="_blank">Nevada Administrative Procedures Act</a> (NRS 233B)</li> <li><a href="https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-445B.html#NRS445BSec340">Appeals to Commission: Notice of appeal</a> (NRS 445B.340)</li> <li><a href="https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-445a.html#NRS445ASec605" target="_blank">Appeals to Commission: Appealable matters; action by Commission</a> (NRS 445A.605)</li> <li><a href="https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-459.html#NAC459Sec9995" target="_blank">Appeal of final decision of State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources</a> (NAC 459.9995)</li> <li><a href="http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nac/nac-445b.html#NAC445BSec890" target="_blank">A</a><a href="https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nac/nac-445b.html#NAC445BSec890" target="_blank">ppeal of final decision of Department: Request for hearing; basis for appeal</a><a href="http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nac/nac-445b.html#NAC445BSec890" target="_blank"> </a>(NAC 445B.890)</li> <li><a href="https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-444.html#NAC444Sec980" target="_blank">Appeal of final decision of State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources</a> (NAC 444.980)</li> <li><a href="https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-519A.html#NAC519ASec415" target="_blank">Appeals to Commission</a> (NAC 519A.415)</li> </ul> </div> <div class="article__sidebar"> <div class="sidebar"> <div class="sidebar__panel hide-small"> <ul class="js-sidebar__menu sidebar__menu"> <li class="first"><a href="/meetings/">Hearings & Meetings</a></li> <li><a href="/about-us/">About Us</a></li> <li class="parent-is-active"><a href="/participate/">Participate</a> <ul> <li class="is-active first"><a href="/participate/sec-appeal-process/">SEC Appeal Process</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="/participate/forms-and-documents/">Forms and Documents</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/contact-us/">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="/how-rules-are-made/">How Rules Are Made</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="/our-appeal-process/">Our Appeal Process</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="sidebar__panel"> <div class="sidebar__contact"> <div class="sidebar__contact-item"> <div class="sidebar__contact-title">Office Phone</div> <div class="sidebar_contact-description">(775) 687-9374</div> </div> <div class="sidebar__contact-item"> <div class="sidebar__contact-title">Email</div> <a href="mailto:sfontaine@ndep.nv.gov" class="sidebar_contact-description">sfontaine@ndep.nv.gov</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> <div class="section section--light"> <div class="container"> <div class="section__icon"> <img src="https://sec.nv.gov/assets/images/icon-triangle-line-circle.svg" width="55" height="55" role="presentation" alt=""> </div> <h2 class="section__headline"> Follow the SEC </h2> <p class="section__description"> Don鈥檛 miss a meeting. 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