What opportunity to comment will there be before the Assistant Secretary reviews the re-petition request?

(a) Publication of notice of the request will be followed by a 120-day comment period. During this comment period, any individual or entity may submit the following to OFA to rebut or support the request:

(1) Comments, with citations to and explanations of supporting evidence; and

(2) Evidence cited and explained in the comments.

(b) Any individual or entity that submits comments and evidence to OFA must provide the petitioner with a copy of their submission.

(c) If OFA has received a timely objection and evidence challenging the request, then the petitioner will have 60 days to submit a written response, with citations to and explanations of supporting evidence, and the supporting evidence cited and explained in the response. The Department will not consider additional comments or evidence on the request submitted by individuals or entities during this response period.

(d) After the close of the comment-and-response period, the Department will consider the re-petition request ready for active consideration, and within 30 days of the close of the comment-and-response period, OFA will place the request on the register that OFA maintains under § 83.53(a).