The parties to any proceeding before the commission may include the applicant, if any, any landowner whose lands will be directly affected by the proposed action of the commission, any landowner whose lands are adjacent to, directly across the river from, or within 500 feet of lands to be directly affected, any municipality or agency thereof whose jurisdiction includes lands or bodies of water to be directly affected and any citizens' group or organization qualified under section 966‑A.   [PL 1979, c. 459, §1 (NEW).]

Nothing in this section may be construed so as to limit the right of any member of the public to appear or be heard at any public hearing of the commission, subject only to such reasonable rules and regulations as the commission may establish.   [PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. A, §40 (AFF); PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. B, §205 (AMD).]