85-3-206. Permits -- requirements and hearing. (1) The permits must be issued in accordance with procedures and subject to conditions that the department may by rule establish to effectuate this chapter.
(2) Within 30 days after completion of the report required under 85-3-202, the department shall hold a hearing under Title 2, chapter 4, part 6, to determine whether to grant, conditionally grant, or deny the application for a permit. The department may not grant or conditionally grant an application unless all requirements of this section are satisfied and the applicant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the following criteria have been met:
(a) the applicant is licensed pursuant to this chapter;
(b) sufficient notice of intention has been published;
(c) an applicant has furnished proof of financial responsibility in an amount to be determined by the department as required in 85-3-211;
(d) the fee for the permit has been paid as required in 85-3-212 and the department's costs incurred under 85-3-202 have been paid;
(e) the weather modification and control activities to be conducted have been determined by the department to be for the general welfare and the public good. That determination must be based on a finding of whether the operation:
(i) is reasonably conceived to improve water quantity or quality, reduce loss from weather hazards, provide economic benefits for the people of Montana, or advance scientific knowledge;
(ii) is designed to include adequate safeguards to minimize or avoid possible damage to the public health, safety, and welfare and to the environment; and
(iii) will adversely affect another operation for which a permit has been issued.
(3) The department may determine not to hold a public hearing only if after giving notice of a hearing, no person files a notice of intent to appear at the hearing to contest the issuance of a permit. If a hearing is not held, the department may grant or conditionally grant a permit based on the information contained in the application and the department's report.
(4) Costs incurred by the department in holding a hearing under subsection (2) must be paid by the applicant.