Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and any other permitting agency shall take final action to issue or deny a permit subject to the consolidated application process set forth in ORS § 517.952 to 517.989 within one year after issuance of a notice to proceed under ORS § 517.977. However, with the concurrence of the applicant, the processing of the application may be suspended for a period of time to allow the applicant to resolve issues having a bearing on, or necessary to any permitting agency’s decision or the department’s decision on whether to issue or deny a permit. [1991 c.735 § 24]