(1) Not later than one year before the applicant files a final application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reauthorize the federal license for the hydroelectric project, the applicant shall file with the Hydroelectric Application Review Team:

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(a) A draft application for a water right for the project, which shall be the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission draft application; and

(b) Information regarding potential water quality impacts of the project.

(2) The applicant shall provide the team with copies of any agency and public comment submitted to the applicant in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proceedings or in the state reauthorization proceedings.

(3) The applicant shall include with the application required under subsection (1) of this section the final report on the studies conducted pursuant to ORS § 543A.085.

(4) Upon receipt of the draft application, the team shall identify in writing to the applicant any informational and analytical deficiencies. Subject to any identified deficiencies, the team shall prepare a provisional state position on:

(a) Whether, and under what conditions, the Water Resources Department should issue the water right;

(b) Whether the project would comply with ORS § 468B.040 and water quality standards adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission, and what conditions might be appropriate under 33 U.S.C. § 1341(d); and

(c) Recommendations to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under 16 U.S.C. § 803(j).

(5) Upon completion of the provisional state position, the team shall give public notice of the availability of the provisional state position. The notice shall allow 30 days for the public to comment on the provisional state position.

(6) Based on comments received during the 30-day public comment period allowed under subsection (5) of this section, the team may revise the provisional state position. The team also shall resolve any conflict between agencies about the provisional state position.

(7) After considering agency and public comments, resolving interagency conflicts and making any necessary revisions, but no later than 160 days before the date by which the final application must be filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the team shall provide the applicant with the provisional unified position of the state. However, the provisional unified position shall not constitute a final agency determination or action under any authority. [1997 c.449 § 19; 2001 c.369 § 3]