Prior to the hearing the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission staff shall have made the following determinations:
- (1) The supply of water available in the basin of origin and in the basin to which proposed diversion is to be made;
- (2) The amount of excess surface water at the point of diversion of the basin of origin;
- (3) The present and future water demands of water users in the basin of origin;
- (4) Whether there are water shortages in the basin at the point of proposed use; and
- (5) The availability at a reasonable cost of alternative sources of water.