Except as otherwise provided in Section 59654, if, after receiving a petition for the establishment of a proration zone and a proposed marketing program for it, the director determines that such proposed proration zone and proposed marketing program are consistent with the provisions of this chapter, the director shall hold a public hearing at some central point which is located within the area described in the petition and proposed to be established as a proration zone.

If the director determines that the proposed proration zone or proposed marketing program is not consistent with the provisions of this chapter, no hearing need be held.