Cal. Water Code § 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.