61-04-31. Reservation of waters - Public hearing - Notice

61-04-31. Reservation of waters - Public hearing - Notice 1. Whenever it appears necessary to the department of water resources, or when directed by the commission, the department may reserve and set aside waters by regulation for beneficial use in the future. a. Before the adoption of a regulation under this section, the department shall conduct a public hearing in each county where waters relating to the regulation are located. At least seven days before the date set for the public hearing, a notice must be published in the official county newspapers within each of the counties. b. Regulations adopted hereunder are subject to chapter 28-32. 2. When sufficient information or data is lacking to allow for sound decisionmaking on a water permit application, the department of water resources may withdraw various waters of the state from additional appropriations until sufficient data or information is available. Water permit applications pending from these sources will be placed in a deferred status.