Sec 45-574. Variances; application; notice; hearing; issuance

A. A person who requires additional time to comply with an irrigation water duty or conservation requirement established pursuant to section 45-565, 45-566, 45-566.01, 45-567, 45-567.01, 45-568 or 45-568.01 may apply to the director for a variance from the water duty or requirement within ninety days from the date of notice of the water duty or requirement. The application shall include the following:

1. The name and mailing address of the applicant.

2. The name of the active management area in which the use is located.

3. The amount of groundwater currently being withdrawn annually by the person.

4. The irrigation water duty or conservation requirement from which the variance is sought.

5. A general description of the economic circumstances preventing timely compliance with the irrigation water duty or conservation requirement and any information relevant to such circumstances.

6. The sworn statement that the information contained in the application is true and correct to the best belief and knowledge of the applicant.

7. Such other information as the director may require.

B. The director shall give written notice to the applicant of the opportunity for an administrative hearing. An administrative hearing shall be held before the director's decision on the application if the director deems a hearing necessary or a hearing is requested by the applicant.

C. The director may grant a variance upon a showing of compelling economic circumstances. The variance shall specify:

1. The amount of groundwater which may be withdrawn by the person during the variance period, or a schedule of intermediate water duties or conservation requirements to be reached at specified intervals during the variance period.

2. The duration of the variance, which may not exceed five years from the date of the director's final determination of the variance.

D. A party aggrieved by the director's decision may seek judicial review of the final decision of the director as provided in section 45-114, subsection B in the superior court in the county in which the irrigated land or non-irrigation use is located.

E. Section 45-114, subsections A and B govern administrative proceedings, rehearing or review and judicial review of final decisions of the director under this section. If an administrative hearing is held, it shall be conducted in the active management area in which the use is located.