Opinion ID: 1830798
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: whether the commission on marine resources denied appellants of due process of law

Text: ¶ 32. In their final assignment of error, relying on Thrash v. Mayor of Jackson, 498 So.2d 801 (Miss.1986), the citizens groups assert that they were denied due process of law by the Commission's failure to allow them to address their concerns at the August 20, 1996, meeting where their petition for reconsideration was denied. As the record amply documents, public notice has been provided at every step of the process and the citizens groups actively participated in the Commission's proceedings through their letter writing campaigns, their various written complaints and their appearances at public meetings. Further, neither in the record nor in the citizens groups' brief is there any suggestion of what witnesses or testimony they might have presented at the meeting. In Thrash, where we found that opponents to a rezoning decision had received ample notice of all proceedings and an opportunity to be heard, it was noted, as in the case sub judice, that no logical argument or authority in support thereof had been presented to support their due process argument. Id. at 807. Further, provisions of the Coastal Program governing the reconsideration and appeal of permit decisions state that when such a request is considered, the Commission  may secure any additional information it deems necessary, either through DWC/BMR or through testimony from interested parties. From the argument presented, we cannot say that any alleged due process rights of the citizens groups were violated.