SMH...
I do admire your tenacity, Druggie....
The facts:

APPROVAL vs INTENT TO APPROVE
Here’s the distinction:

Intent to Approve

An “intent to approve” is essentially a preliminary decision or notice of proposed approval from the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

It means the agency has reviewed the application (for a permit, project, or license) and, on its face, finds it meets the regulatory requirements pending any final review steps.

At this stage, the DEM typically issues the intent publicly, which can trigger:

Public notice requirements (posting, publishing in newspapers, or online).

Comment periods where the public, municipalities, or other agencies can raise objections or concerns.

Opportunity for hearings if requested within a certain timeframe.



Approval

Actual approval comes after the intent period closes.

The DEM considers any comments, objections, or new information submitted during the notice period.

If no significant objections arise (or they are resolved), the agency will issue the final approval (permit/license).

Only at this point is the approval legally effective, enforceable, and typically recorded.



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???? In short:

Intent to approve = proposed decision, not final (allows public comment and procedural checks).

Approval = final, legally binding decision (after all notice and comment steps are done).

Cut the shit, Druggie....