Wat. Code, § 12878.4

If the local agency, within 45 days after the date of receipt of the said statement of the department, files a protest thereto with the board or department setting forth in detail the basis of its objections, then the board or department shall schedule a hearing to be held within 30 days of the filing of the said protest to hear any relevant information which said local agency may care to present in support of its protest. As to projects under the jurisdiction of the board, the board shall make such investigation as it deems necessary to determine the likelihood that the unit will thereafter be operated and maintained satisfactorily by the local agency. The said local agency shall be given at least 10 days written notice of the date and place of said hearing. Representatives of the local agency, the department and other interested parties may appear at the said hearing and present any information relevant to the said protest of the local agency or in support of the statement of the department. Upon conclusion of said hearing, if the board or department finds that there are no items of defective maintenance, or that the local agency will correct the deficiencies and maintain and operate the project works in accordance with the standards established by the federal regulations, there shall be no further proceedings under the provisions of this chapter.