ORS 543A.120
Proposed final order


(1)

A proposed final order prepared by a Hydroelectric Application Review Team and submitted to the Water Resources Department under ORS 543A.040 (Process determination), 543A.055 (Hydroelectric Application Review Team review of application) or 543A.105 (Hydroelectric Application Review Team review of final application) shall be based on the application of the standards set forth in ORS 543A.025 (Minimum standards for decision on reauthorization of water right) and shall reflect the complete review of the water right application for compliance with applicable statutes and rules.

(2)

The proposed final order shall cite findings of fact and conclusions of law and shall include but need not be limited to:

(a)

Confirmation or modification of the preliminary determinations made in the initial review;

(b)

A brief statement that explains the criteria considered relevant to the decision, including the applicable basin program, the compatibility of the proposed use with applicable land use plans and information set forth in the application report or final report on studies;

(c)

An assessment of water availability and the amount of water necessary for the proposed use;

(d)

An assessment of whether the proposed use would result in injury to existing water rights;

(e)

An assessment of whether the proposed use would impair or be detrimental to the public interest as provided in ORS 543A.025 (Minimum standards for decision on reauthorization of water right);

(f)

A draft certificate, including any proposed conditions, or a recommendation to deny the application; and

(g)

The date by which protests to the proposed final order must be received by the department.

(3)

The department shall mail copies of the proposed final order, as submitted by the team, to the applicant and to persons who have requested copies and paid the fee required under ORS 536.050 (Fees) (1)(p). The department also shall give public notice of the proposed final order in the weekly notice published by the department.

(4)

Any person may request standing for purposes of participating in any contested case proceeding on the proposed final order or for judicial review of a final order. A request for standing shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by the fee established under ORS 536.050 (Fees) (1)(n).

(5)

Any person may submit a protest against a proposed final order. A protest shall be in writing and shall include:

(a)

The name, address and telephone number of the protestant;

(b)

A description of the protestant’s interest in the proposed final order and, if the protestant claims to represent the public interest, a precise statement of the public interest represented;

(c)

A detailed description of how the action proposed in the proposed final order would impair or be detrimental to the protestant’s interest;

(d)

A detailed description of how the proposed final order is in error or deficient and how to correct the alleged error or deficiency;

(e)

Any citation of legal authority supporting the protest, if known; and

(f)

The protest fee required under ORS 536.050 (Fees) (1)(j).

(6)

Requests for standing and protests on the proposed final order shall be submitted within 45 days after publication of the notice of the proposed final order in the weekly notice published by the department. Any person who asks to receive a copy of the department’s final order shall submit to the department the fee required under ORS 536.050 (Fees) (1)(p), unless the person has previously requested copies and paid the required fee.

(7)

The Hydroelectric Application Review Team shall review any protest received and provide to the Water Resources Director a recommended response to any protest received.

(8)

Within 120 days after the close of the period for receiving protests and after consultation with the Hydroelectric Application Review Team, the director shall:

(a)

Issue a final order as provided under ORS 543A.130 (Contested case hearing); or

(b)

Schedule a contested case hearing if a protest has been submitted and if:

(A)

Upon review of the issues, the director finds that there are significant disputes related to the proposed reauthorization of the project; or

(B)

Within 30 days after the close of the period for submitting protests, the applicant requests a contested case hearing.

(9)

At the request of the applicant, the department may extend the time periods set forth in subsection (8) of this section for a reasonable period of time.

(10)

If the application is for reauthorization of a water right for a federally licensed project, the department may postpone the issuance of the final order until the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license is issued. [1997 c.449 §23; 2013 c.644 §13]

Source: Section 543A.120 — Proposed final order, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors543A.­html.

543A.005
Definitions
543A.010
Findings
543A.015
Purpose
543A.020
Policy
543A.025
Minimum standards for decision on reauthorization of water right
543A.030
Notice of intent
543A.035
Reauthorization application and public comment
543A.040
Process determination
543A.045
Public scoping meeting
543A.050
Application report
543A.055
Hydroelectric Application Review Team review of application
543A.060
Coordination of state and federal reauthorization processes
543A.065
Changes to expiration date of water right for existing project
543A.071
Water Resources Department notification to holder of hydroelectric license or water right for hydroelectric purposes
543A.075
Notice of intent to apply for reauthorization of right to use water for hydroelectric purposes
543A.080
Submission of preliminary application information
543A.085
Public scoping meeting
543A.090
Mid-study status report
543A.095
Draft application
543A.100
Final application for water right
543A.105
Hydroelectric Application Review Team review of final application
543A.110
Water quality certification
543A.115
Final unified state position
543A.120
Proposed final order
543A.125
Approval or rejection of application for reauthorization
543A.130
Contested case hearing
543A.135
Exceptions to final order
543A.140
Terms, limitations and conditions of water right
543A.145
Water right certificate
543A.150
Modification of time limits
543A.300
Decommissioning
543A.305
Conversion of hydroelectric water right to in-stream water right
543A.400
Duties of Hydroelectric Application Review Team
543A.405
Application fees
543A.410
Fee schedule
543A.800
Effect of hydroelectric reauthorization process on existing rights
543A.805
Reference to licensee or license
543A.810
Effect of amendment or repeal of law
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