2009 California Water Code - Section 1490-1491 :: Article 7. Priority Of Applications For Hydroelectric Power ..

1490.  Applications or petitions for retrofit hydroelectric plants
at existing dams, canals, or conduits where the streamflow regime
will not be changed and where there will be no significant adverse
environmental impacts shall receive expedited processing by the
board. The applicant shall not be required to show a need for the
power that will be generated by the plant unless protests are filed
that are not resolved.

1491.  Applications for hydroelectric powerplants with a generating
capacity not to exceed five megawatts, which do not impound water
during times of high waterflow to be used to generate power during
times of low waterflow, and which will not have any significant
adverse environmental impacts shall receive expedited processing by
the board. The applicant shall not be required to show a need for the
power that will be generated by the plant unless protests are filed
against the project that are not resolved.