Oregon Revised Statutes Water Resources: Irrigation, Drainage, Flood Control, Reclamation § 543.230

(1) The Water Resources Commission shall, by order or rule, provide for the time and manner of hearings upon applications. However, upon request by any person made within 30 days after the Water Resources Director issues an order pertaining to cumulative impacts under ORS 543.255, the Water Resources Commission shall conduct a contested case hearing in accordance with the applicable provisions of ORS chapter 183 and any rules adopted by the commission.

(2) Every application for the appropriation of water for the generation of electricity subject to the terms of ORS 543.010 to 543.610 shall be subject to protest or remonstrance on behalf of the public, or any district organized for public purposes, or any interested private person, on the ground that the proposed construction, development or improvement would damage or destroy the use or utility of the stream or other body of water involved for other beneficial purposes, including propagation of fish, scenic, aesthetic, recreational, park, highway or other beneficial use. All protests and remonstrances under this subsection must be filed with the commission within the time specified in the notice and must be in writing and verified by the parties protesting, and a certified copy thereof shall be served upon the applicant for the permit. However, in the discretion of the administrative law judge, at the time of the hearing any interested party may make an oral protest if there exists any good reason therefor, and the administrative law judge shall allow the applicant to be heard in opposition thereto. Every protest or remonstrance under this subsection which is not filed and served as required in this subsection shall be deemed waived.