85-2-307. Notice of application. (1) (a) Upon receipt of a correct and complete application for a permit, the department shall prepare a notice containing the facts pertinent to the application and shall publish the notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area of the source.
     (b) Before the date of publication, the department shall also serve the notice by first-class mail upon:
     (i) an appropriator of water or applicant for or holder of a permit who, according to the records of the department, may be affected by the proposed appropriation;
     (ii) any purchaser under contract for deed, as defined in 70-20-115, of property that, according to the records of the department, may be affected by the proposed appropriation; and
     (iii) any public agency that has reserved waters in the source under 85-2-316.
     (c) The department may, in its discretion, also serve notice upon any state agency or other person the department feels may be interested in or affected by the proposed appropriation.
     (d) The department shall file in its records proof of service by affidavit of the publisher in the case of notice by publication and by its own affidavit in the case of service by mail.
     (2) The notice shall state that by a date set by the department (not less than 15 days or more than 60 days after the date of publication) persons may file with the department written objections to the application.
     (3) The requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section do not apply if the department finds, on the basis of information reasonably available to it, that the appropriation as proposed in the application will not adversely affect the rights of other persons.

     History: En. Sec. 17, Ch. 452, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 485, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 89-881; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 357, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 448, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 29, Ch. 526, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 535, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 370, L. 1993.