8. Comments on Draft Decision

The draft decision of the ALJ in this matter was mailed to the parties in accordance with Section 311(g)(1) of the Public Utilities Code and Rule 77.7 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Pursuant to Rule 77.7(f)(9), the time for comments was reduced to 13 days, and no reply comments were accepted. We reduced the public review and comment period so that the proposed Interim Decision could be placed on the Commission's Agenda for July 10, 2003. Public necessity requires this approach because the public interest is served by resolving these issues on an interim basis before the hot air ballooning season ends.

Comments were filed by Robert C. Welker. Essentially, Welker repeated the information he supplied in his June 20, 2003, letter that we have treated as a protest. Additionally, Welker questions whether our order today intrudes on an area that would be better directed to the California Department of Insurance. That is a valid point, and we share Welker's concern, which we have addressed by the modifications we are making to the proposed Interim Plan. Comments also were filed by Petitioners, which were supportive of the ALJ's draft decision.