Section 8610.5 Of Article 1. General Powers From California Water Code >> Division 5. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 1.
8610.5
. (a) (1) The board shall adopt regulations relating to
evidentiary hearings pursuant to Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section
11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(2) The board shall hold an evidentiary hearing for any matter
that requires the issuance of a permit if the proposed work may
significantly affect any element of the State Plan of Flood Control
or if a formal protest against that permit has been lodged.
(3) The board may, by regulation, define types of encroachments
that will not significantly affect any element of the State Plan of
Flood Control. Evidentiary hearings are not required for uncontested
applications for those defined encroachments unless, in the judgment
of the executive officer, there is a reasonable possibility that the
project will have a significant effect on an adopted plan of flood
control.
(4) The board may delegate approval of permits for encroachments
that will not significantly affect any element of the State Plan of
Flood Control to the executive officer.
(5) The board is not required to hold an evidentiary hearing
before making a decision relating to general flood protection policy
or planning.
(b) The board may take an action pursuant to Section 8560 only
after allowing for public comment.
(c) The board shall, in any evidentiary hearing, consider all of
the following, as applicable, for the purpose of taking any action
pursuant to Section 8560:
(1) Evidence that the board admits into its record from any party,
state or local public agency, or nongovernmental organization with
expertise in flood or flood plain management.
(2) The best available science that relates to the scientific
issues presented by the executive officer, legal counsel, the
department, or other parties that raise credible scientific issues.
(3) Effects of the proposed decision on the entire State Plan of
Flood Control.
(4) Effects of reasonably projected future events, including, but
not limited to, changes in hydrology, climate, and development within
the applicable watershed.