(a)
The board may cancel a protest or application for failure to provide information requested by the board under this article within the period provided.
(b)
Except as provided in subdivisions (c) and (d), a protest shall not be canceled for failure to submit information not in the possession or under the control of the protestant if the protest is in compliance with Section 1331 and the applicant is or could be required to submit the information under Section 1260 or 1275.
(c)
If a protest is based on interference with a prior right, the board may cancel the protest if the protestant fails to submit any of the following information requested by the board:
(1)
Information that the protestant is required to submit to the board to comply with Part 5.1 (commencing with Section 5100) during any period after the protest is filed.
(2)
Information that is reasonably necessary to determine if the protestant has a valid water right.
(3)
Information concerning the protestant’s historical, current, or proposed future diversion and use of water that is reasonably necessary to determine if the proposed appropriation will result in injury to the protestant’s exercise of its water right.
(d)
If the protest is based on an allegation that the proposed appropriation would not be in the public interest, would adversely affect public trust uses, or would have adverse environmental impact, the board may cancel the protest for failure to submit information requested by the board if the board determines both of the following:
(1)
The public review period has expired for any draft environmental document or negative declaration required to be circulated for public review and comment pursuant to Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
(2)
In the absence of the requested information, there is no substantial evidence in light of the whole record to support the allegation.
