When a hearing is requested pursuant to this act, the Department may, under such conditions as it may prescribe, grant such temporary relief as it deems appropriate pending final determination of the proceedings if:

1. All parties to the proceedings have been notified and given an opportunity to be heard on a request for temporary relief;

2. The person requesting such relief shows that there is a substantial likelihood that he will prevail on the merits of the final determination of the proceeding; and

3. Such relief will not adversely affect the public health or safety or cause significant imminent environmental harm to land, air or water resources.

For the purpose of this and every hearing authorized by this act, the Department may, pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, or written or printed materials, compel attendance of the witnesses, or production of the materials, and take evidence including, but not limited to, site inspections of the land to be affected and other surface coal mining operations carried on by the applicant in the general vicinity of the proposed operation. A verbatim record of each public hearing required by this act shall be made, and a transcript made available on the motion of any party or by order of the Department.

Any applicant or any person with an interest which is or may be adversely affected who has participated in the application process as an objector, and who is aggrieved by the decision of the Department, or if the Department fails to act within the time limits specified in this act, shall have the right to appeal as provided by Section 53 of this act.

Laws 1979, c. 249, § 18, emerg. eff. June 1, 1979.