Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1020.6

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 188

A. Once the Board has set a tentative maximum annual yield for

the groundwater basin or subbasin, the Board shall call and hold

hearings at centrally located places within the area of the major

groundwater basin or subbasin or in the county for minor groundwater

basins or subbasins. Prior to such hearings being held, the Board

shall make copies of such hydrologic survey available for inspection

and examination by all interested persons and, at such hearings,

shall present evidence of the geological findings and determinations

upon which the tentative maximum annual yield has been based. Any

interested party shall have the right to present evidence in support

or opposition thereto. The hearings shall be conducted pursuant to

Article II of the Administrative Procedures Act.

B. Notice of such hearings shall be published in a newspaper of

general circulation in each county having lands that overlie the

basin or subbasin. The notice shall be published at least once per

week for two (2) consecutive weeks and the last publication shall be

at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the hearing. Notice

and hearing on the tentative determination of the maximum annual

yield for minor groundwater basins or subbasins may be consolidated.

C. After such hearings are completed, the Board shall then

proceed to make its final determination as to the maximum annual

yield of groundwater which shall be allocated by regular permit to

each acre of land overlying such basin or subbasin by issuing a

final order containing findings of fact and conclusions of law,

which order shall be subject to judicial review pursuant to Article

II of the Administrative Procedures Act. As prescribed in a final

order setting forth the maximum annual yield, or any amendment

thereto, the Board may prescribe delayed or gradual implementation

of equal proportionate share allocations if current total allocated

amount of groundwater from the aquifer is twenty-five percent (25%)

or less of the maximum annual yield. Such delayed or gradual

implementation of equal proportionate share allocations may be

authorized only if such implementation would not cause interference

or violation of limits applicable to use of waters from a sensitive

sole source aquifer, or allow the use of groundwater in excess of

twenty-five percent (25%) of the maximum annual yield. Such delayed

or gradual implementation of equal proportionate share allocations

shall not affect any regular permit and shall be effectuated by

issuance of appropriate temporary permits, in accord with parameters

specified by the Board in accord with this act.

D. The Board may, in subsequent basin or subbasin hearings, and

after additional hydrologic surveys, increase the amount of water

allocated but shall not decrease the amount of water allocated by

regular permit issued prior to the completion of the additional

hydrologic surveys.