(1) For applications other than those to appropriate public waters for induced ground water recharge, if there is unappropriated water in the source of supply named in the application, if such application and appropriation when perfected are not otherwise detrimental to the public welfare, and if denial of the application is not demanded by the public interest, the department shall approve the application and shall make a record in its office and return the application to the applicant, who shall on receipt thereof be authorized to proceed with the work and to take such measures as may be necessary to perfect such application into an appropriation. The priority of such application and appropriation when perfected shall date from the filing of the application in the office of the department, and the date of filing shall be regarded as the priority number thereof. The department may, upon examination of such application, approve it for a shorter period of time for perfecting the proposed appropriation or for a smaller amount of water or of land than applied for. The department may also impose such other reasonable conditions as it deems appropriate to protect the public interest. An applicant aggrieved by the action of the department shall, upon proper showing, be granted a hearing before the department, which hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of procedure adopted by the department, and a full and complete record shall be kept of all such proceedings. When a complete record of the case has been made up, the department shall render an opinion of facts and of law based upon the evidence before it.

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(2)(a) An application for an induced ground water recharge appropriation for public water supplier wells constructed and placed in service before September 9, 1993, shall be approved by the director if he or she finds that:

(i) The appropriation is necessary to maintain the well or wells for the use or uses for which the appropriation has been requested;

(ii) The rate and timing of the flow is the amount reasonably necessary to maintain the well or wells for the uses for which the appropriation has been requested; and

(iii) The application is in the public interest and is not detrimental to the public welfare. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that wells which are the subject of an application pursuant to subdivision (2)(a) of this section are in the public interest and are not detrimental to the public welfare.

(b) The director may approve the application for a well or wells constructed before September 9, 1993, but may specifically deny the applicant the right to request regulation of junior appropriators if the director, at the time of approval, finds that the well or wells, at the time of their construction, were not located, designed, or constructed so as to take reasonable advantage of aquifer conditions in the area to minimize the frequency and amount of the demand for flows for induced ground water recharge. Thereafter a public water supplier holding an approved application which has been denied the right to request regulation of junior appropriators may petition the director for a hearing to present evidence showing the director that the well or wells have been modified, relocated, or reconstructed to take reasonable advantage of the aquifer conditions in the area. If the director determines that the well or wells have been so modified, relocated, or reconstructed, the director shall cause to be modified the approval of the application to allow for the regulation of junior appropriators, subject to the restrictions or conditions applicable to public water suppliers.

(c) An application for an induced ground water recharge appropriation for public water supplier wells constructed and placed in service before September 9, 1993, shall not be subject to the requirements of sections 46-288 and 46-289.

(3) An application for an induced ground water recharge appropriation for public water supplier wells constructed or to be constructed on or after September 9, 1993, shall be approved by the director if he or she makes the findings required by subdivision (2)(a) of this section and further finds that:

(a) There is unappropriated water available for the appropriation; and

(b) The well or wells involved have been or will be located and constructed to take reasonable advantage of aquifer conditions in the area to minimize the frequency and amount of the demand for flows for induced ground water recharge.

(4)(a) The director may approve the application filed under subsection (2) or (3) of this section for a smaller amount of water than requested by the applicant. The director may also impose reasonable conditions on the manner and timing of the appropriation which the director deems necessary to protect the public interest. The director may grant an appropriation for specific months of the year if so demanded by the public interest. If the director approves the application, he or she shall issue a written order, which written order shall include the findings required by this section, the amount of the appropriation, and any conditions or limitations imposed under this section.

(b) In determining whether an application for an appropriation for induced ground water recharge is in the public interest, the director’s considerations shall include, but not be limited to, the possible adverse effects on existing surface water or ground water users and the economic, social, and environmental value of such uses, including, but not limited to, irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife, public water supply, induced ground water recharge for public water supply systems, and water quality maintenance.

(c) The stream segment and the determination of a reasonable and necessary amount of water required for induced ground water recharge purposes throughout the reach shall be defined specifically by the director in the order issued under this section.