Oklahoma § 82-277.4 - Hearing - Notice - Order

§ 82-277.4. Hearing - Notice - Order

After receipt of the petition, the Oklahoma Water Resources

Board shall:

1. Set the petition for hearing before a hearing officer in a

place of general convenience at the nearest county seat. The

Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall instruct the petitioners to

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights

publish, at their expense, notice of said hearing by legal

publication for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general

circulation, published in each county containing lands within the

boundaries of the proposed district. Such hearing date shall be set

not earlier than thirty (30) days after the last publication date of

said notice. In addition, owners of land included in the proposed

district, as reflected by the records of the county clerk of the

county wherein the land is located, shall be notified by the

petitioners of the hearing by registered or certified mail. Such

notice shall be mailed at least thirty (30) days prior to the date

set for the hearing. The notice shall contain:

a.

a brief statement describing the purpose of such

hearing,

b.

a description of the territory to be included within

said district, and

c.

the date and the time and place of the hearing at

which all persons residing or owning property within

the proposed district may appear and be heard

concerning the petition;

2. Permit filing of statements supporting or opposing the same;

3. Approve or deny the petition and plan as the Oklahoma Water

Resources Board deems advisable;

4. Include or exclude lands within the district, upon

application of the owners thereof, provided the Oklahoma Water

Resources Board finds that it is in the best interest of the

district and the owners of such land;

5. If the organization of the district is approved, issue an

order describing the boundaries of the district. The order shall be

filed of record within thirty (30) days after the date of issuance

by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in the office of the county

clerk of each county or counties wherein lands included within the

district are located; and

6. Call a meeting, and instruct the petitioners to give notice

by mail of such meeting, of the district electors for the purpose of

adopting bylaws and electing directors.

Laws 1973, c. 179, § 4, emerg. eff. May 16, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 69,

§ 5, emerg. eff. April 13, 1992.