Section 1501.34. Determinations for application approval

(A) The director of natural resources shall not approve an application submitted under section 1501.33 of the Revised Code if he determines that any of the following criteria apply:

(1) Public water rights in navigable waters will be adversely affected;

(2) The facility's current consumptive use, if any, does not incorporate maximum feasible conservation practices as determined by the director, considering available technology and the nature and economics of the various alternatives;

(3) The proposed plans for the withdrawal, transportation, development, and consumptive use of water resources do not incorporate maximum feasible conservation practices as determined by the director, considering available technology and the nature and economics of the various alternatives;

(4) The proposed withdrawal and consumptive uses do not reasonably promote the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare;

(5) The proposed withdrawal will have a significant detrimental effect on the quantity or quality of water resources and related land resources in this state;

(6) The proposed withdrawal is inconsistent with regional or state water resources plans;

(7) Insufficient water is available for the withdrawal and other existing legal uses of water resources are not adequately protected.

(B) The director may hold public hearings upon any application for a permit submitted under section 1501.33 of the Revised Code. The director shall determine the period for which each permit approved under this section will be valid and specify the expiration date, but in no case shall a permit be valid beyond the life of the project as stated in the application. The director shall establish rules providing for the transfer of permits. A permit may be transferred on the conditions that the quantity of water withdrawn not be increased and that the purposes of the withdrawal not be changed.

(C)

(1) Within a time established by rule, the director shall do one of the following:

(a) Notify the applicant that an application he submitted under section 1501.33 of the Revised Code is approved or denied and, if denied, the reason for denial;

(b) Notify the applicant of any modification necessary to qualify the application for approval.

(2) Any person who receives notice of a denial or modification under this division is entitled to a hearing under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code if the person sends a written request for a hearing to the director within thirty days after the date on which the notice is mailed or otherwise provided to the applicant.

(D) The director shall revoke a permit under this section without a prior hearing if he determines that the quantity of water being consumed exceeds the quantity stated in the permit application.

The director may suspend a permit if he determines that the continued consumption of water under the permit will endanger the public health, safety, or welfare. Before suspending a permit, the director shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the permittee that he intends to suspend the permit. If the attempt fails, notification shall be given as soon as practicable following the suspension. Within five days after the suspension, the director shall provide the permittee an opportunity to be heard and to present evidence that the continued consumption of water will not endanger the public health, safety, or welfare.

If the director determines, before the expiration date of a suspended permit, that the consumption of water can be resumed without danger to the public health, safety, or welfare, he shall, upon request of the permittee, reinstate the permit.

(E) Any six or more residents of this state may petition the director for an investigation of a withdrawal of water resources that they allege is in violation of a permit issued under this section.

The petition shall identify the permittee and detail the reasons why the petitioners believe that grounds exist for the revocation or suspension of the permit under this section.

Upon receipt of the petition, the director shall send a copy to the permittee and, within sixty days, make a determination whether grounds exist for revocation or suspension of the permit under this section.

(F) Each permittee under this section shall submit to the director an annual report containing such information as the director may require by rule.

Effective Date: 06-29-1988