Public hearing by petition - Hearing board - Presiding officer

The owner or agent of the owner, board of township supervisors, or board of county commissioners may petition the state forester for a public hearing to take testimony and hear evidence on whether lands shall be entered or continued under this chapter. Upon filing of the petition, the state forester shall set the matter for public hearing at a time as the state forester sees fit in the county in which the land is located, but not later than ninety days from the date of the filing of the petition. The state forester, the county auditor, and the local assessor of the township in which the lands are located constitute the hearing board. The state forester is the presiding officer of the hearing and shall give thirty days' written notice of the hearing to the owner or agent of the owner, board of township supervisors, and the board of county commissioners. The hearing may be deferred not more than sixty days after notice to the parties involved.