(2) Not later than the 90th day after publication of the notice referred to in subsection (1) of this section, and upon finding that the notice complied with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, the State Department of Agriculture may grant to the applicant the area applied for if the area is known to be available and if the department has classified the area as suitable for oyster cultivation.
(3) If the application referred to in this section is denied, the department shall provide the applicant with a written statement explaining the reason for the denial.
(4) Any person who holds an oyster plantation claim or plat that was in effect on June 1, 1997, may submit to the department an application to cultivate clams or mussels on not more than 20 percent of the lands subject to the claim or plat, but not less than one acre. Any such application must be in compliance with ORS 622.230 (1) and (2) and be accompanied by a fee of $250 for each such claim or plantation. [Formerly 509.431; 1997 c.249 §189; 1997 c.375 §4; 2005 c.22 §438]