(a) Upon completion of the penultimate draft of a management plan, the director shall conduct public hearings within the river basin. At least one public hearing shall be held in each river basin named in Code Section 12-5-521. The director shall publish notice of each such public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the area announcing the date, time, place, and purpose of the public hearing. A draft of the management plan shall be made available to the public at least 30 days prior to the public hearing. The director shall receive public comment at the public hearing and for a period of at least ten days after the public hearing.

(b) The division shall evaluate the comments received as a result of the public hearings and shall develop the final draft of the management plan for submission to the board for consideration within 60 days of the public hearing.

(c) The board shall consider the management plan within 60 days after submission by the director. The department shall publish the management plan adopted by the board and shall make copies available to all interested local governmental officials and citizens within the river basin covered by such management plan.

(d) Upon the board's adoption of a final river basin management plan, all permitting and other activities conducted by or under the control of the Department of Natural Resources shall be consistent with such plan.

(e) No provision of this article shall constitute an enlargement of the existing statutory powers of the department.