Oregon Revised Statutes Water Resources: Irrigation, Drainage, Flood Control, Reclamation § 543.225

(1) The Water Resources Commission shall conduct a public hearing on any application or amended application for a preliminary permit or for a license for a major project of more than 100 theoretical horsepower and an application for preliminary permit or license for a minor project of less than 100 theoretical horsepower if the commission concludes it is in the public interest to do so.

(2) The commission shall give proper notice of the public hearing on an application under subsection (1) of this section, to the applicant and to each protestant, if any. After the hearing, if the commission determines that the proposed project does not comply with the standards set forth in ORS 543.017 or rules adopted by the commission under ORS 543.017, or would otherwise impair or be detrimental to the public interest so far as the coordinated, integrated state water resources policy is concerned, it shall enter an order rejecting the application or requiring its modification to conform to the public interest, to the end that the highest public benefit may result from the proposed project. The order may set forth any or all of the provisions or restrictions to be included in a preliminary permit or license concerning the use, control and management of the water to be appropriated for the project, including, but not limited to, a specification of reservoir operation and minimum releases to protect the public interest.

(3) In determining whether the proposed project would impair or be detrimental to the public interest, the commission shall have due regard for:

(4) After the entry of the order specified in subsection (2) of this section, the application for a preliminary permit or for a license shall be referred to the Water Resources Director for further proceedings consistent with the commission's order.