87-5-505. Arbitration of disputes. (1) If the department notifies the applicant that the construction will adversely affect fish or game habitat, the applicant, within 15 days after receiving the recommendations and alternatives of the department, shall notify the department if it refuses to modify its plans in accordance with the recommendations or alternatives. In the event of refusal, the disagreement shall be arbitrated as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) (a) Upon receipt of a notice of refusal, the department shall determine if it wants the disagreement arbitrated. Within 10 days after an affirmative determination and after notice to the applicant, the department shall notify, in writing, all district judges of the judicial district or districts in which the project is located that an arbitration board is needed. Within 5 days of receipt of notification, the judges shall appoint three people from the county or counties in which the project is located to an arbitration committee. Within 10 days after the committee is appointed, it shall meet, hear testimony from all the parties concerned, and issue a decision signed by at least two members of the committee. The decision shall be binding on all parties concerned.

(b) Travel expenses of the arbitrators shall be allowed as in 2-18-501 through 2-18-503, as amended, and shall be divided equally among the agencies involved.