221.12—Where and how must documents be filed?
(a) Place of filing.
Any documents relating to a case under this subpart must be filed with the appropriate office, as follows:
(1)
Before NMFS refers a case for docketing under § 221.25, any documents must be filed with the Office of Habitat Conservation. The Office of Habitat Conservation's address, telephone number, and facsimile number are set forth in § 221.2.
(2)
NMFS will notify the parties of the date on which it refers a case for docketing under § 221.25. After that date, any documents must be filed with:
(i)
The Department of Commerce's designated ALJ office. The name, address, telephone number, and facsimile number of the Department of Commerce's designated ALJ office will be provided in the referral notice from NMFS; or
(ii)
The hearings component of or used by another Department, if that Department will be conducting the hearing under § 221.25. The name, address, telephone number, and facsimile number of the appropriate hearings component will be provided in the referral notice from NMFS.
(b) Method of filing.
(1)
A document must be filed with the appropriate office under paragraph (a) of this section using one of the following methods:
(ii)
By sending the original document by express mail or courier service for delivery on the next business day; or
(2)
Parties are encouraged, but not required to supplement any original document by providing the appropriate office with an electronic copy of the document on compact disc.
(c) Date of filing.
A document under this subpart is considered filed on the date it is received. However, any document received after 5 p.m. at the place where the filing is due is considered filed on the next regular business day.
(d) Nonconforming documents.
If any document submitted for filing under this subpart does not comply with the requirements of this subpart or any applicable order, it may be rejected. If the defect is minor, the party may be notified of the defect and given a chance to correct it.