Section 540.578 - Filing of protest; hearing on proposed transfer(1) Any user may file with the Water Resources Commission, within 60 days after the date of mailing the notice under ORS 540.576, a protest against approval of the petition, map and transfer. Whenever a timely protest is filed, or in the opinion of the commission a hearing is necessary to determine whether the district has complied with the requirements of ORS 540.572 to 540.580, or the proposed transfers described in the petition would result in injury to existing water rights, the commission shall hold a hearing on the matter. The hearing shall be conducted according to the provisions of ORS chapter 183 applicable to contested case proceedings. The hearing shall be held in the area of the state where the rights are located unless the parties and the persons who filed the protest under this section stipulate otherwise.(2) If, after examination or hearing, the commission finds that the petition complies with the requirements of ORS 540.572 to 540.580, and that the proposed changes described in the petition would not result in injury to existing water rights, the commission shall issue an order approving the transfer and proceed as provided in ORS 540.530(1) and (2).(3) A certificate issued under this section for the transferred water right shall have the evidentiary effect provided for in ORS 537.270 unless the right to appropriate water described in the certificate is forfeited after the certificate is issued.