[§174C-11]  Hearings officers.  (a)  Thechairperson may appoint hearings officers, not subject to chapter 76, to hearand reach a preliminary decision on any matter concerning the implementation oradministration of the state water code which the commission may refer to thehearings officers by rule or otherwise.

(b)  In assigning matters to hearings officers,the chairperson shall make the assignments in a manner which ensures thathearings officers will develop familiarity and expertise with given geographicareas.

(c)  In conducting a hearing on any matterreferred by the commission, a hearings officer shall solicit and consider theviews of the appropriate county officials responsible for planning, economicdevelopment, and resource management and such other county officials and othersas the commission shall direct.  Any affected county agency shall be admittedas a party upon request.

(d)  Each hearings officer is deemed to be anagent of the commission with all powers associated with such designation.

(e)  In order to facilitate dispute resolution,the commission may employ mediation methods where practicable including the useof masters.

(f)  The commission shall adjudicate disputeswhere there is insufficient water to meet competing needs. [L 1987, c 45, pt of§2; am L 2000, c 253, §150]