Cal. Wat. Code § 1250.5
The board shall consider and act upon all applications for permits to appropriate water which propose, as a primary purpose of the application, the development of small hydroelectric energy facilities at an existing dam, canal, or conduit, up to and including 30 megawatts, or the development of any other hydroelectric facility with a generating capacity of five megawatts or less, within one year from the date a complete application and an instream beneficial use assessment have been filed with the board, except that the assessment need not be filed if the streamflow regime will not be changed, and except that final board action may be continued for a reasonable time not to exceed one year upon the request of the applicant or upon a finding by the board that the additional time is necessary to determine (1) if unappropriated water is available or (2) the effect upon instream uses.
Ca. Water Code § 1250.5