North Dakota Century Code Title 38. Mining and Gas and Oil Production § 38-14.1-20. Ruling on permit application--Timing and content

1. If an informal conference in reference to a permit application has been held pursuant to section 38-14.1-19, the commission shall issue its written findings approving or disapproving the application in whole or in part and stating the reasons for such findings within thirty days of the informal conference. At the time of issuance, copies of the findings, reasons, and the commission's ruling must be furnished to the permit applicant and all persons who were parties to the informal conference along with the notice of the right to request a formal hearing provided for in section 38-14.1-30.

2. If no informal conference has been held, the commission shall notify the permit applicant within a reasonable time as set forth in regulations, whether the application has been approved or disapproved in whole or in part along with notice of the right to request a formal hearing pursuant to section 38-14.1-30. In setting such reasonable time, the commission shall take into account the time needed for proper investigation of the site, the complexity of the permit application, and whether objections to the application have been filed.

3. Under either subsection 1 or 2, if the application is approved, a permit must be issued subject to the right of any person with an interest which is or may be adversely affected to request formal hearing pursuant to section 38-14.1-30; if the application is disapproved, specific reasons therefor must be set forth in the notification of disapproval together with the requirements for approval.