172 FERC ¶ 61,061

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

18 CFR Part 12

[Docket No. RM20-9-000]

Safety of Water Power Projects and Project Works

(Issued July 16, 2020)

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: The Commission is proposing to amend its regulations governing the 

safety of hydropower projects licensed by the Commission under the Federal Power Act. 

These regulations are intended to promote the safe operation, effective maintenance, and 

efficient repair of licensed hydropower projects and project works to ensure the 

protection of life, health, and property in surrounding communities. Specifically, the 

Commission proposes to revise its regulations to: incorporate two tiers of project safety 

inspections by independent consultants, codify existing guidance requiring certain 

licensees to develop an owner’s dam safety program and a public safety plan, update 

existing regulations related to public safety incident reporting, and make various minor 

revisions. 

DATES: Comments are due [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF

PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, identified by RM20-9-000, by either of the 

following methods: 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 ii

• Agency web site: Electronic Filing through http://www.ferc.gov. 

Documents created electronically using word processing software should be 

filed in native applications or print-to-PDF format and not in a scanned 

format.

• Mail: Those unable to file electronically may mail comments to: Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First 

Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand-delivered comments should be 

delivered to Health and Human Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, 

Rockville, Maryland 20852.

Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional 

information on the rulemaking process, see the Comment Procedures section of this 

document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ken Fearon (Technical Information) 

Office of Energy Projects 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

888 First Street NE 

Washington, DC 20426 

(202) 502-6015

kenneth.fearon@ferc.gov

Doug Boyer (Technical Information) 

Office of Energy Projects 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

805 SW Broadway, Suite 550

Portland, OR 97205

(503) 552-2709

douglas.boyer@ferc.gov
Docket No. RM20

-9-000 iii

Tara DiJohn (Legal Information) 

Office of the General Counsel 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

888 First Street NE 

Washington, DC 20426 

(202) 502-8671 

tara.dijohn@ferc.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Safety of Water Power Projects and Project Works Docket No. RM20-9-000

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Paragraph Numbers

I. Background ..................................................................................................................... 4.

II. Discussion.................................................................................................................... 14.

A. Review, Inspection, and Assessment by Independent Consultants ........................ 21.

B. Owner’s Dam Safety Program ................................................................................ 69.

C. Public Safety and Miscellaneous Updates............................................................... 76.

III. Regulatory Requirements........................................................................................... 87.

A. Information Collection Statement........................................................................... 87.

B. Environmental Analysis........................................................................................ 107.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act..................................................................................... 108.

D. Comment Procedures............................................................................................ 118.

E. Document Availability .......................................................................................... 122.
172 FERC ¶ 61,061

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Safety of Water Power Projects and Project Works Docket No. RM20-9-000

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

(Issued July 16, 2020)

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC), under Part I 

of the Federal Power Act (FPA), licenses hydropower projects that are developed by nonFederal entities including individuals, private entities, states, municipalities, electric 

cooperatives, and others. Under section 10(c) of the FPA, the licensee of any 

hydropower project under the jurisdiction of the Commission must conform to “such 

rules and regulations as the Commission may from time to time prescribe for the 

protection of life, health, and property.”1

Since early 2017, the Commission has solicited, received, and reviewed expert 

opinions on the structure and implementation of the Commission’s dam safety program, 

particularly the provisions for independent consultants’ safety inspections required under 

part 12, subpart D of the Commission’s regulations.2

 These independent consultant 

safety inspections, commonly referred to as part 12 inspections, are facilitated by 

1 16 U.S.C. 803(c). 

2 18 CFR pt. 12. 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 2 -

licensees and are in addition to the dam safety inspections conducted by Commission 

staff. 

To address expert recommendations on the part 12 inspection process, and to 

codify guidance issued by the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects, Division of Dam 

Safety and Inspections (D2SI) over the past several years, the Commission proposes to 

revise its rules in Title 18, part 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Under this 

proposal to revise the Commission’s part 12 regulations, the entirety of subpart D will be 

replaced, a new subpart F will be added, and minor revisions will be made to subparts A, 

B, C, and E.

I. Background

Section 10(c) of the FPA requires licensees, in pertinent part, to “maintain the 

project works in a condition of repair adequate . . . for the efficient operation of said 

works in the development and transmission of power,” to “make all necessary renewals 

and replacements,” and to “conform to such rules and regulations as the Commission may 

from time to time prescribe for the protection of life, health, and property.”3

Pursuant to FPA section 10(c), on December 27, 1965, the Commission’s 

predecessor agency, the Federal Power Commission (FPC), in Order No. 315, 

promulgated regulations that require licensees to provide complete safety inspections of 

licensed water power project works by independent consultants at five-year intervals, or 

3 18 U.S.C. 803(c).
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 3 -

more frequently if necessary.4 Order No. 315 was intended to supplement D2SI staff’s 

inspections of project works with detailed periodic inspections overseen by an 

independent consultant.5

On January 21, 1981, the Commission issued Order No. 122 to consolidate the 

Commission’s orders, regulations, and practices relating to project safety under part 12 of 

the Commission’s rules and to revise the existing project safety inspection regulations.

6

 

The Commission’s rules related to independent consultant safety inspections have not 

been substantially revised or amended since 1981.

To ensure that the Commission’s dam safety program remains current with the 

evolving nature of the dam safety field, D2SI staff issues, and periodically updates,

Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower Projects (Engineering 

Guidelines).7

 D2SI staff has also augmented the part 12 inspection process over the years

by adding additional inspection components (e.g., the Potential Failure Mode Analysis, 

the Supporting Technical Information Document, and the Dam Safety Surveillance and 

Monitoring Program and Report). 

4 Hydroelectric Licensed Projects–Inspections to Insure Safe Operation, Order 

No. 315, 34 FPC 1551 (1965).

5 Id. 

6 Water Power Projects and Project Works Safety, Order No. 122, FERC Stats. & 

Regs. ¶ 30,225 (1981) (cross-referenced at 14 FERC ¶ 61,041).

7 D2SI’s Engineering Guidelines are available on the Commission’s website at 

https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/hydropower/dam-safety-andinspections/engineering-guidelines-evaluation-hydropower.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 4 -

In June 2002, D2SI began a licensee pilot program for conducting a Potential 

Failure Mode Analysis8 as a component of a part 12 inspection and issued for comment a 

draft Chapter 14 of the Engineering Guidelines, which would guide licensees in 

performing this type of dam safety analysis. In April 2003, D2SI issued a final Chapter 

14 of the Engineering Guidelines and required a Potential Failure Mode Analysis to be 

performed during all part 12 inspections. Consistent with this requirement, licensees 

have conducted over a thousand Potential Failure Mode Analyses. The Commission 

proposes to codify the Potential Failure Mode Analysis as part of the scope of a part 12 

inspection, specifically during a comprehensive assessment and typically at a ten-year 

interval.

On December 14, 2005, the upper reservoir of the Taum Sauk Hydroelectric 

Project No. 2277, a pumped storage project, was overtopped during the final pumping 

cycle, causing a breach of the upper reservoir which released over 1 billion gallons of 

water, resulting in personal injury and significant environmental and property damage.9

Following the December 2005 failure of Taum Sauk Dam, D2SI began requiring 

8 A Potential Failure Mode Analysis is a method to evaluate the various ways a 

dam and its components could possibly fail. Generally, this involves identifying possible 

failure scenarios and evaluating those factors that could make the failure mode scenario 

more or less likely to occur. Finally, the significance of each potential failure mode is 

determined and a prioritized plan to address the most significant potential failure modes 

is developed. 

9 More information about the Taum Sauk Dam Breach Incident can be found on 

the Commission’s website at https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/hydropower/damsafety-and-inspections/taum-sauk-pumped-storage-project-p-2277-dam. 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 5 -

licensees to develop and maintain an Owner’s Dam Safety Program, with the goal of 

ensuring that licensees have a robust and focused dam safety program to protect public 

safety, the environment, and project facilities. In August 2012, D2SI staff required all 

owners of high and significant hazard potential dams10 to submit an Owner’s Dam Safety 

Program.11 The Commission proposes to codify this requirement by adding a new 

subpart F to the Commission’s part 12 regulations.

On February 7, 2017, high flows in the Feather River basin caused the water level 

in the Feather River Hydroelectric Project No. 2100 reservoir to rise at Oroville Dam and, 

for the first time in project history, flow down the emergency spillway, resulting in 

extensive erosion and damage to Oroville Dam’s main spillway and emergency spillway 

area. 12 This event precipitated the evacuation of nearly 188,000 residents from the town 

of Oroville and from other downstream communities north of Sacramento, California. 

10 Hazard potential is a classification based on the potential consequences in the 

event of failure or misoperation of the dam, canal, or water conveyance, and is 

subdivided into categories (e.g., Low, Significant, High). High hazard potential generally 

indicates that failure or misoperation of the project feature will probably cause loss of 

human life. Significant hazard potential and low hazard potential generally indicate that 

failure or misoperation will probably not cause loss of human life but may have some 

amount of economic, environmental, or other consequences. Hazard classifications are 

based solely on the consequences of dam failure and do not in any way reflect the 

condition of the rated dams. 

11 See Commission staff’s August 15, 2012 letter to owners of high and significant 

hazard potential dams, https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/letter-submitodsp.pdf.

12 More information about the Oroville Dam Spillway Incident can be found on the 

Commission’s website at https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/hydropower/dam-safetyand-inspections/oroville-dam-service-spillway-p-2100. 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 6 -

Following the February 2017 Oroville Dam spillway incident, the Commission required 

the project licensee, California Department of Water Resources (CA DWR), to convene a 

team of independent, third-party consultants to complete a forensic analysis to determine 

the cause of the incident.13 The Oroville Independent Forensic Team Report documented 

the team’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations.14 Several of the Oroville 

Independent Forensic Team’s observations related to potential areas for improvement in 

the Commission’s dam safety program, particularly the part 12 inspection process.

Separately, the Commission convened a FERC After Action Panel to review and 

evaluate the Commission’s dam safety program in the months following the Oroville 

Dam spillway incident. The D2SI Director’s mandate to the FERC After Action Panel 

was to: “review project documents and history for Oroville Dam . . . .;” “review the 

performance of the FERC dam safety program at the Oroville Dam Project, which 

includes both work and actions by FERC staff, and the program requirements on the dam 

owner, such as the [p]art 12 process, the [Potential Failure Mode Analyses] process, the 

Instrumentation and Monitoring Program, and Owners Dam Safety Program . . . .;” 

“make conclusions regarding any shortcomings in the FERC dam safety program 

13 See Commission staff’s letter to CA DWR regarding the emergency repair and 

board of consultants for Oroville Dam spillway, Project No. 2100 (Feb. 13, 2017), 

https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/Orovilledam.pdf.

14 Independent Forensic Team Report, Oroville Dam Spillway Incident (Jan. 5, 

2018), 

https://damsafety.org/sites/default/files/files/Independent%20Forensic%20Team%20Rep

ort%20Final%2001-05-18.pdf.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 7 -

implementation at Oroville Dam;” and if shortcomings are identified, recommend

“improvement or changes to the FERC dam safety program to ensure that future incidents 

like Oroville can be avoided.”15

The FERC After Action Panel Report documented several shortcomings of the 

Commission’s dam safety program with respect to its implementation at the Oroville 

Dam Project, and provided several recommendations for improvements to the part 12 

inspection process that could increase the likelihood that design and operational 

deficiencies are detected in advance of a major incident. 

In light of the Oroville Independent Forensic Team Report and the FERC After 

Action Panel Report findings, the desire to codify existing dam safety guidance, and the 

Commission’s authority under FPA section 10(c) to promulgate rules protecting life, 

health, and property, the Commission proposes to revise its part 12 regulations as 

discussed further below.16

15 See FERC After Action Panel Assessment of Oroville Spillway Incident Causes 

and Recommendations to Improve Effectiveness of the FERC Dam Safety Program 

(Nov. 23, 2018), https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/reportdamsafety.pdf.

16 Recently, the failures of the Edenville and Sanford Dams in Michigan have

resulted in substantial hardship and economic damage. A forensic investigation is being 

undertaken to understand the root causes of those failures. This proposed rule was 

substantially complete prior to the Michigan dam failures and is not intended to address 

any findings or recommendations that may result from the forensic investigation. The 

Commission will review the findings once the investigation is complete. 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 8 -

II. Discussion

In evaluating potential revisions to its part 12 regulations, the Commission 

considered the findings of the Oroville Independent Forensic Team and FERC After 

Action Panel; reviewed the inspection practices of other Federal agencies responsible for 

ensuring the safety of a large number of dams, including those of the Bureau of 

Reclamation (Reclamation)17 and the US Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps);18 and 

reviewed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Federal Guidelines for 

Dam Safety.

19

First, the Commission proposes to implement two tiers of part 12 inspections, in 

addition to staff’s regular inspections. The two-tier structure would include two types of 

inspections: a comprehensive assessment and a periodic inspection. Each type of 

inspection would be performed at a ten-year interval, with the periodic inspection 

occurring midway between comprehensive assessments. The proposed structure would 

maintain the current five-year interval between part 12 inspections (alternating between a 

comprehensive assessment and a periodic inspection) and would mirror FEMA’s 

17 Reclamation, Review/Examination Program for High and Significant Hazard 

Dams (Sept. 2018), https://www.usbr.gov/recman/fac/fac01-07.pdf.

18 Army Corps, Safety of Dams – Policy and Procedures (Mar. 2014), 

https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerRegulations/E

R_1110-2-1156.pdf.

19 FEMA, Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety (Apr. 2004), 

https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1502-20490-5785/fema-93.pdf

(FEMA Dam Safety Guidelines). 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 9 -

recommendation that formal inspections be conducted at an interval not to exceed five 

years.20 The proposed alternating two-tier structure is similar to those used by 

Reclamation and Army Corps. Because the existing five-year interval between part 12 

inspections remains the same, the proposed regulations will not increase the likelihood

that undiscovered safety issues will persist for longer periods of time between 

inspections. The comprehensive assessment would require a more in-depth review than 

the current part 12 inspection, would formally incorporate the existing potential failure 

modes analysis (PFMA) process, and would require a semi-quantitative risk analysis, as 

recommended by the Oroville Independent Forensic Team and FERC After Action Panel. 

The periodic inspection would have a narrower scope than the current part 12 inspection 

and focus primarily on the performance of project works between comprehensive 

assessments.

Second, the Commission proposes to change the process by which D2SI reviews 

and evaluates the qualifications of independent consultants that conduct part 12 

inspections. Currently, § 12.34 of the Commission’s regulations require the licensee to 

submit to the Director of D2SI for approval a resume describing the independent 

consultant’s experience.21 FEMA recommends that “the inspection team should be 

chosen on a site-specific basis considering the nature and type of dam . . . [and] should 

comprise individuals having appropriate specialized knowledge in structural, mechanical, 

20 Id. at 42. 

21 18 CFR 12.34. 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 10 -

electrical, hydraulic, and embankment design; geology; concrete materials; and 

construction procedures.”22 

The proposed process would require the licensee to submit to the Director of D2SI 

an independent consultant team proposal, comprising one or more independent 

consultants and additional engineering or scientific personnel, as needed, which must 

demonstrate that the members of that team possess an appropriate level of expertise for 

the specific project under consideration. This proposed change reflects the reality that, 

for many of the hydropower projects under the Commission’s jurisdiction, a single 

independent consultant will not possess the appropriate degree and diversity of technical 

proficiency necessary to evaluate all aspects of the project. The current requirement that 

an independent consultant be a licensed professional engineer with a minimum of ten 

years’ experience in “dam design and construction and in the investigation of the safety 

of existing dams” would remain.23 However, as proposed, this requirement would apply 

only to the designated independent consultants, and not to other supporting members of 

the independent consultant team.

Third, the Commission proposes to codify existing guidance related to the 

Owner’s Dam Safety Program. Currently, the Commission’s part 12 regulations do not 

explicitly require a licensee to develop an Owner’s Dam Safety Program. However, 

pursuant to 18 CFR 12.4(b)(2)(ii)(B), the Commission has the authority to require 

22 FEMA Dam Safety Guidelines at 42. 

23 18 CFR 12.31(a). 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 11 -

licensees to submit reports or information on any condition affecting the safety of the 

project. Since the initial request for an Owner’s Dam Safety Program in August 2012,24

approximately 250 have been developed by licensees and submitted to the Commission. 

This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) proposes to codify the requirement that 

licensees of one or more high or significant hazard potential dams25 must prepare, 

maintain, file with the Commission, and periodically review and update an Owner’s Dam 

Safety Program. Licensees would be required to designate a person responsible for 

overseeing day-to-day implementation of the dam safety program.

The Commission also proposes to update its regulations related to public safety at 

or near hydropower projects. Currently, licensees are required to install and maintain 

public safety devices and to report deaths or serious injuries at their projects.26 The 

NOPR proposes to revise the definition of a “project-related” incident to clarify that 

licensees are required to report those public safety incidents that are related to the 

operation of hydropower projects; to report rescues in addition to deaths and serious 

injuries; and to prepare, maintain, and submit a public safety plan to D2SI, which is the 

current practice required by existing D2SI guidance.

24 See supra P 9.

25 See supra note 10 (defining high hazard and significant hazard potentials). 

26 See 18 CFR 12.10(b) (death or serious injury reporting) and 12.42 (warning and 

safety devices). 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 12 -

Finally, the Commission plans to update the Engineering Guidelines by adding 

new Chapters 15 through 18. Concurrently with the issuance of this NOPR, the 

Commission will solicit public review and comment on these guidelines, which will be 

issued in draft format in four separate advisory dockets accessible on the Commission’s 

eLibrary website. Chapter 15, available for review and comment in Docket No. AD20-

20-000, will provide licensee guidance for developing and maintaining a Supporting 

Technical Information Document.

27 Chapter 16, available for review and comment in 

Docket No. AD20-21-000, will provide licensee guidance on the scope of the part 12D 

independent consultant inspection program. Chapter 17, available for review and 

comment in Docket No. AD20-22-000, will provide licensee guidance for conducting a 

Potential Failure Mode Analysis. Chapter 18, available for review and comment in 

Docket No. AD20-23-000, will provide licensee guidance for conducting a Level 2 Risk 

Analysis. Comments on draft Chapters 15 through 18 of the Engineering Guidelines

should be filed in the corresponding docket numbers listed above.

A. Review, Inspection, and Assessment by Independent Consultants 

In response to the findings and recommendations in the Oroville Independent 

Forensic Team Report and FERC After Action Panel Report, the Commission is 

proposing to revise its regulations under 18 CFR part 12, subpart D, to enhance the 

27 As explained in draft Chapter 15, the Supporting Technical Information 

Document is a “living” document that serves as a compendium of existing project 

information, including information about a project’s design, construction history, 

operating procedures, and engineering analyses.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 13 -

program for inspections by independent consultants. The proposed regulations, if 

enacted, would replace the existing subpart D in its entirety. Due to the proposed 

implementation of two tiers of part 12 inspections (periodic inspections and 

comprehensive assessments), subpart D would include §§ 12.30 through 12.41, which 

results in changes to the numbering of subpart E (existing § 12.40 becomes § 12.50). 

1. Section 12.30 – Applicability

Section 12.30 establishes the applicability of subpart D’s independent consultant 

inspection requirement and identifies three conditions that result in a project being 

subject to its provisions. As § 12.30 is currently written, subpart D applies to any project 

development that has a dam (1) greater than a specified height; (2) with an impoundment 

exceeding a specific gross storage capacity; or (3) that has a high hazard potential and is 

determined by the Regional Engineer to require inspection by an independent consultant. 

Although the subpart D regulations could be interpreted as only applying to dams, this 

subpart has in practice also been applied to those portions of canals and penstocks judged 

to have a high hazard potential.

The proposed revisions to § 12.30 are intended to clarify that the provisions of 

subpart D may apply to projects that do not have a dam. The proposed revisions maintain 

the existing height and storage thresholds but clarify that they are applicable only to 

dams. The revisions also clarify that the high hazard potential consideration is applicable 

to all project features; the project development would be subject to subpart D if any 

portion of a project feature has a high hazard potential. Additionally, subpart D would 

apply to a project development if the Regional Engineer or other Commission 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 14 -

representative determines that an inspection is required for reasons not listed. The 

proposed revisions to § 12.30 are consistent with existing D2SI practice.

2. Section 12.31 – Definitions

Section 12.31 defines independent consultant, high hazard potential, height above 

streambed, and gross storage capacity for the purposes of the provisions of subpart D. 

Section 12.31 also provides the D2SI Director the authority to grant a waiver from the

ten-year experience requirement in the definition of independent consultant.

The proposed revisions to § 12.31 update the existing definitions of an 

independent consultant and hazard potential, and provide new definitions for independent 

consultant team, periodic inspection, and comprehensive assessment.

The existing definition of an independent consultant is a licensed professional 

engineer, with at least ten years of experience and expertise related to dams, and is not, 

and has not been within two years, an employee of the licensee or its affiliates or an agent 

acting on behalf of the licensee. The proposed definition maintains the licensure and 

experience requirements. But, rather than one requirement regarding the professional 

relationship between the independent consultant and licensee, the proposed definition 

divides the requirement into three separate requirements. First, the independent 

consultation is not an employee of the licensee or its affiliates. Second, the independent 

consultant has not been an employee of the licensee or its affiliates within two years prior 

to performing the inspection under this subpart. The third restriction is that the 

independent consultant has not been an agent acting on behalf of the licensee or its 

affiliates before performing services under this part, for a manner and time period defined 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 15 -

in the Engineering Guidelines. The guidelines provide examples of the type of 

information Commission staff will consider when making this determination. The 

circumstances of each case will differ and require evaluation by Commission staff;

therefore, specific thresholds for scope or duration of services are not established in the 

proposed definition. The Commission intends to apply this restriction narrowly, with the 

primary goal of ensuring that independent consultants are not responsible for reviewing 

work products to which they contributed substantially.

The Commission proposes to adopt a definition of an independent consultant team 

as comprising one or more independent consultants and additional engineering and 

scientific personnel, as needed.

The Commission proposes to require that collectively the independent consultant 

team has expertise commensurate with the scale, complexity, and relevant technical 

disciplines of the project and type of review being performed (periodic inspection or 

comprehensive assessment). This approach will ensure that each review is conducted by 

qualified personnel such that the Commission can reasonably expect that potential issues 

relating to project safety or stability can be identified. The Commission intends to place 

higher expectations on the qualifications of the personnel on an independent consultant 

team, and their collective experience and expertise, for comprehensive assessments 

compared to periodic inspections; projects with higher consequences or total project risk; 

projects with a greater number of, or more technically diverse or challenging, project 

features; and projects with a history of unusual or adverse performance. As further 

discussed below, the proposed regulations in § 12.34 also require that the licensee obtain 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 16 -

approval of the independent consultant team from the Director of D2SI. Currently, 

§ 12.34 only requires that resumes be submitted for any independent consultants.

The existing definition of hazard potential, which refers to an outdated source, is 

updated to ensure that it is consistent with FEMA’s Hazard Potential Classification 

System for Dams.28 The proposed definition also ensures that it is applicable to dams, 

canals, and other water conveyances, or any portion thereof, and refers to the Engineering 

Guidelines for specific criteria that result in a classification of low, significant, or high 

hazard potential.

Definitions for periodic inspection and comprehensive assessment are proposed 

for inclusion in § 12.31. The definitions of “height above streambed” and “gross storage 

capacity” would remain unchanged.

3. Section 12.32 – General Inspection Requirement 

Existing § 12.32 establishes the requirement for periodic inspection, by an 

independent consultant, of the project works of each development29 subject to the 

provisions of subpart D.

28 See FEMA, Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Hazard Potential Classification 

System for Dams (Apr. 2004), https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1516-

20490-7951/fema-333.pdf (FEMA Hazard Potential Classification System). 

29 Development means that part of a project comprising an impoundment and its 

associated dams, forebays, water conveyance facilities, power plants, and other 

appurtenant facilities. A project may comprise one or more developments. 18 CFR 

12.3(b)(7). 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 17 -

The proposed revisions to § 12.32 incorporate the terms “periodic inspection” and 

“comprehensive assessment” and require that a report be filed following each type of 

inspection. There are no substantive changes to the general requirement that an 

independent consultant’s inspection be performed. The general requirement to file a 

report following an inspection would be relocated from existing § 12.37 to proposed 

§ 12.32.

4. Section 12.33 – Exemption 

Existing § 12.33 grants the Director of D2SI the authority to exempt projects from 

the provisions of subpart D for good cause and provides an example of what may 

constitute good cause. At the Director of D2SI’s discretion, the exemption may be 

granted in perpetuity or may require periodic reevaluation of the exemption justification 

(e.g., by reviewing and confirming that the project has a low hazard potential). The 

Director of D2SI’s authority to exempt projects from subpart D is retained in proposed 

§ 12.33(a).

The proposed revisions to § 12.33(b) update the example of good cause to include 

canals and other water conveyances and refer to the Engineering Guidelines for what 

constitutes a low hazard potential.

Proposed § 12.33(c) rescinds any exemption from subpart D that was issued prior 

to the effective date of this proposed rule. Existing subpart D exemptions have been 

granted over several decades and, as the state of the practice of dam safety has evolved, 

have not been reconsidered consistently. Accordingly, an entity desiring an exemption 

will be required to reapply for one to ensure that any justification for a subpart D 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 18 -

exemption is reviewed based on the current state of the practice, considering potential 

failure modes, consequences, and total project risk. 

5. Section 12.34 – Approval of Independent Consultant Team

Prior to performing an inspection, existing § 12.34 requires a licensee to submit to 

the Director of the Office of Energy Projects, for approval, a detailed resume for an 

independent consultant. The Commission proposes several revisions to § 12.34 to 

address concerns raised in the Oroville Independent Forensic Team report, the FERC 

After Action Panel report, and issues related to implementation of the existing rule over 

the past several years.30

Proposed § 12.34(a) requires that the licensee obtain written approval of the 

independent consultant team, from the Director of D2SI instead of the Director of the 

Office of Energy Projects, prior to performing a periodic inspection or comprehensive 

assessment. While in practice D2SI has granted approval of independent consultants 

prior to inspections, the regulation as currently written does not stipulate that D2SI 

approval must be obtained.

Proposed § 12.34(b), which requires that the licensee submit a detailed 

independent consultant team proposal to the Director of D2SI at least 180 days prior to 

30 In particular, the improvements intended by the proposed changes to the 

independent consultant team approval process include: broadening the composition of 

independent consultant team members to include representation from varied technical 

disciplines; ensuring thorough review of project features by qualified individuals with the 

appropriate technical disciplines; and performing comprehensive reviews of the original 

project design, construction, and subsequent performance.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 19 -

performing a periodic inspection or comprehensive assessment, includes two major 

changes. First, the existing regulations require the detailed resume to be submitted 

60 days in advance. The proposed increase in the time period from 60 days to 180 days 

does not represent a change in practice. D2SI staff routinely issue reminder letters 

to licensees approximately 18 months in advance of any inspection required under 

subpart D, and for several years have requested that independent consultants’ resumes be 

submitted six months in advance to ensure that all parties are aware of their roles and 

responsibilities, and have sufficient time to prepare for the inspection. The proposed 

regulation codifies D2SI’s current practice.

Second, existing § 12.34 requires that resumes be submitted only for any 

independent consultant, to demonstrate that they meet the requirements provided in 

§ 12.31. Proposed § 12.34(b) requires that the licensee submit documentation of the 

experience and qualifications for all members of the independent consultant team, 

including one or more independent consultants and additional contributing members, as 

needed. The regulation includes separate paragraphs that apply depending on whether 

the independent consultant team comprises one or multiple persons. This change will 

allow Commission staff to evaluate the breadth and depth of the team’s experience and 

ensure that it is commensurate with the scale, complexity, and technical disciplines of 

the project and type of review being performed. The Commission intends for a 

comprehensive assessment to require a higher level of experience and expertise than a 

periodic inspection, due to the broader scope of the comprehensive assessment.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 20 -

Proposed § 12.34(c) grants the Director of D2SI the authority to disapprove of an 

independent consultant team member, regardless of demonstrated experience and 

qualifications, for good cause, such as having a report rejected by the Commission within 

the preceding five years. This provision will allow the Commission to ensure that 

independent consultants’ inspections are performed by qualified parties.

6. Section 12.35 – Periodic Inspection

Existing § 12.35 establishes the scope of the independent consultant’s inspection. 

The Commission proposes to replace § 12.35 in its entirety such that it establishes the 

scope of a periodic inspection, the less intensive of the two proposed tiers of part 12 

inspections.

Proposed § 12.35 establishes the scope of a periodic inspection, which includes 

review of prior reports, a physical field inspection, review of the surveillance and 

monitoring plan and data, and review of dam and public safety programs. A periodic 

inspection has a reduced scope compared to the existing independent consultant’s 

inspection.

7. Section 12.36 – Report on Periodic Inspection 

Existing § 12.36 is related to emergency corrective measures. We propose to 

combine existing §§ 12.36 and 12.39 under a single “corrective measures” heading in 

§ 12.41, as discussed subsequently in this NOPR.

Proposed § 12.36 establishes the requirements for the periodic inspection report 

and is intended to serve a purpose similar to existing § 12.37 (report of the independent 

consultant) with several notable changes. Existing § 12.37(b) includes provisions 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 21 -

specific to initial reports filed under subpart D, which currently requires the initial report 

to include general project information (project descriptions, maps, design summary 

information, geologic information, etc.) and allows licensees to incorporate by reference 

existing information and analyses contained in previously-prepared independent 

consultant reports (existing § 12.37(b)(2)). The Commission proposes to eliminate the 

differentiation between initial and subsequent reports and to require every periodic 

inspection report to meet the same standard, without relying on the practice of 

incorporating by reference information or analyses contained in earlier reports.

Proposed § 12.36(b) provides a list of items that require specific evaluation in the 

periodic inspection report. These items pertain to the surveillance, monitoring, and 

performance of the project, with a focus on whether any potential failure modes, whether 

previously identified or not, are active, developing, or warrant further evaluation at the 

time of the periodic inspection.

The Commission proposes to eliminate the provisions that allow independent 

consultants to incorporate the previous independent consultant’s report by reference and 

document only that information that has changed since the previous report. Proposed 

§ 12.36(c) provides a list of items which require a status update and evaluation of any 

changes since the previous inspection.

Existing provisions in §§ 12.37(c)(4) through (8) are retained as proposed 

§§ 12.36(d) through (h) with minor changes to ensure consistency with other proposed 

revisions. Section 12.36(i) is added to refer to the Engineering Guidelines, which contain 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 22 -

additional guidance regarding the format and contents of the information discussed 

above.

8. Section 12.37 – Comprehensive Assessment 

Existing § 12.37 establishes requirements for the report of the independent 

consultant. As discussed elsewhere in this NOPR, the proposed revisions to §§ 12.36 and 

12.38 incorporate this information for reports on periodic inspections and comprehensive 

assessments, respectively.

Proposed § 12.37 establishes the scope of a comprehensive assessment, the more 

intensive of the two proposed tiers of part 12 inspection. As many components of the 

comprehensive assessment are identical to or build upon the periodic inspection, several 

paragraphs of the proposed regulations reference their corresponding paragraphs in 

§ 12.35. Below, we discuss the aspects of a comprehensive assessment that are not 

required for a periodic inspection.

In addition to those elements required for a periodic inspection set forth in 

proposed § 12.35, a comprehensive assessment includes review of prior reports and 

analyses of record, review of the supporting technical information document, 

performance of a potential failure modes analysis, and performance of a risk analysis. A 

comprehensive assessment has an expanded scope compared to the existing independent 

consultant’s inspection. Proposed § 12.37(a)(2) requires the independent consultant team 

to perform a more detailed review of existing documentation, including as-built 

drawings, monitoring data, and analyses of record, than required by the current 

independent consultant’s inspection.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 23 -

Proposed § 12.37(f) requires a comprehensive assessment to include a potential 

failure mode analysis, which is already standard practice for current part 12 inspections. 

D2SI has developed draft Chapter 17 of the Engineering Guidelines, which describes 

how to conduct a potential failure mode analysis. As discussed above, the Commission is 

soliciting public comments on draft Chapter 17 in Docket No. AD20-22-00.31

Proposed § 12.37(g) incorporates a semi-quantitative risk analysis as part of the 

scope of a comprehensive assessment. Other Federal agencies, including Reclamation, 

Army Corps, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, have incorporated semi-quantitative 

risk analyses into their systematic comprehensive dam safety reviews. FEMA also 

provides recommendations and guidance for the performance of semi-quantitative risk 

analysis in their guidelines.

32 D2SI has developed draft Chapter 18 of the Engineering 

Guidelines, which describes the process of, and procedures for performing, a semiquantitative risk analysis. As discussed above, the Commission is soliciting public 

comments on draft Chapter 18 in Docket No. AD20-23-00.33

Proposed § 12.37(g) grants the D2SI Regional Engineer the authority to waive the 

requirement to complete a risk analysis during a comprehensive assessment. This allows 

the Commission to focus efforts on those projects that present greater risk to life, health, 

31 See supra P 20.

32 FEMA, Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety Risk Management (Jan. 2015), 

http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1423661058965-

58dfcecc8d8d18b7e9b2a79ce1e83c96/FEMAP-1025.pdf.

33 See supra P 20.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 24 -

and property, and provides flexibility for D2SI staff to gradually phase in the risk 

analysis component of a comprehensive assessment, allowing sufficient time for D2SI 

staff to develop and deliver training on the proposed risk analysis procedures to D2SI 

staff, licensee staff, and consultants.

9. Section 12.38 – Report on Comprehensive Assessment 

Existing § 12.38 is related to the timeline for submitting reports on an independent 

consultant’s inspection. This information would be relocated to proposed § 12.40, 

discussed subsequently in this NOPR.

Proposed § 12.38 establishes the requirements for the report on a comprehensive 

assessment. As with the corresponding section regarding a report on a periodic 

inspection, the Commission proposes to eliminate the difference between initial and 

subsequent reports and to require every comprehensive assessment report to meet the 

same standard.

Proposed § 12.38(b) references § 12.36(b) and provides a list of items that require 

specific evaluation in the comprehensive assessment report. In addition to those elements 

required for a periodic inspection, a comprehensive assessment report must include an 

evaluation of spillway adequacy; the potential for internal erosion and/or piping of 

embankments, foundations, and abutments; structural integrity and stability of all 

structures under credible loading conditions; any other analyses of record pertaining to 

geology, seismicity, hydrology, hydraulics, or project safety; and the supporting technical 

information document, potential failure modes analysis, and risk analysis. An evaluation 

of an analysis of record must include an evaluation of the accuracy, relevance, and 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 25 -

consistency with the current state of the practice of dam engineering, and the 

comprehensive assessment report must include clear documentation of the independent 

consultant team’s rationale. If the independent consultant team is unable to review any 

analysis of record or disagrees with the analysis of record in any way, the independent 

consultant must recommend new analyses.

The Commission also proposes to eliminate the provisions that allow independent 

consultants to incorporate the previous independent consultant’s report by reference and 

document only that information that has changed since the previous report. By 

referencing the periodic inspection report requirements (§ 12.36(c)) (i.e., report on 

periodic inspection), proposed § 12.38(c) requires the independent consultant to provide, 

across seven categories, a status update and evaluation of any changes since the previous 

inspection, which are the same required for a periodic inspection.

The existing provisions in §§ 12.37(c)(4) through (8) are retained as proposed 

§§ 12.38(d) through (h) with minor changes to ensure consistency with other proposed 

revisions. Proposed § 12.38(j) is added to refer to the Engineering Guidelines, which 

contain additional details regarding the format and contents of the information discussed 

above.

10. Section 12.39 – Evaluation of Spillway Adequacy

Existing § 12.39 relates to taking corrective measures after the report; this 

information is relocated to § 12.41, discussed subsequently in this NOPR. Currently, the 

requirement to evaluate spillway adequacy is a required component of the part 12 

inspection and is found in § 12.35(b) of our regulations. However, providing this 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 26 -

information in a standalone section will highlight the importance of evaluating spillway 

adequacy. Accordingly, we propose to relocate this requirement to proposed § 12.39. 

Proposed § 12.39 expands the existing requirements for evaluating spillway 

adequacy. These additional requirements are intended to address scenarios similar to the 

2017 Oroville Dam spillway incident, and would require the independent consultant to 

evaluate the potential for misoperation of, failure to operate, blockage of, or debilitating 

damage to a spillway, and the resulting effects on the maximum reservoir level and the 

potential for overtopping.

11. Section 12.40 – Time for Inspections and Reports

The timelines for performing independent consultant inspections and submitting 

inspection reports, currently found in existing § 12.38, would be relocated to proposed 

§12.40. The existing rules establishes a five-year cycle between inspections and includes 

provisions for initial inspections of existing licensed projects, projects licensed but not 

yet constructed, and all other projects; includes a separate set of provisions related to 

projects inspected by an independent consultant prior to March 1, 1981; and authorizes 

the D2SI Regional Engineer to grant extensions of time to file an independent 

consultant’s inspection report.

Proposed § 12.40 revises the timeline for submitting reports on inspections by 

independent consultants. While the current five-year interval between inspections and 

reports is maintained, the inspections will alternate between periodic inspections and 

comprehensive assessments; thus, there is a ten-year interval between any pair of 

consecutive comprehensive assessments or periodic inspections.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 27 -

Proposed § 12.40(a) consolidates the timing of inspections and reports for projects 

previously inspected by an independent consultant. Section 12.40(a)(1) maintains the 

five-year cycle for an independent consultant’s inspection of each project development. 

Section 12.40(a)(2) grants the D2SI Regional Engineer the authority to require that the 

initial report due to be filed after January 1, 2021, be either a comprehensive assessment 

or periodic inspection, enabling D2SI to balance the number of comprehensive 

assessments due each year over the ten-year cycle. Section 12.40(a)(3) requires that the 

first comprehensive assessment be completed, and the report on it filed, by December 31, 

2034.

Proposed § 12.40(b) retains and updates the terminology related to existing 

provisions for existing licensed projects previously inspected, projects licensed but not 

yet constructed, and other projects.

Proposed § 12.40(c) establishes the ten-year interval between comprehensive 

assessments and requires that a periodic inspection be performed within five years 

following a comprehensive assessment.

Proposed §§ 12.40(d) and 12.40(e) authorize the D2SI Regional Engineer to 

extend the time to file an independent consultant’s report, for good cause shown, and may 

require that any inspection scheduled to be performed be a periodic inspection or 

comprehensive assessment. For example, where a project is scheduled for a periodic 

inspection but a dam safety incident, extreme loading condition (e.g., unprecedented 

flood, large earthquake, etc.), or other significant change in condition has occurred since 

the previous comprehensive assessment, the D2SI Regional Engineer may require that the 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 28 -

project undergo a comprehensive assessment rather than a periodic inspection. 

Alternatively, for projects that have no life safety consequences and a low total project 

risk, the D2SI Regional Engineer may allow comprehensive assessments to be performed 

at an interval greater than every ten years.

12. Section 12.41 – Corrective Measures

The procedures for addressing items identified during a part 12 inspection that 

require corrective measures are currently set forth in existing § 12.39. In this proposed 

rule, these procedures would be relocated to proposed § 12.41. The existing regulations 

require licensees to: submit to the D2SI Regional Engineer a plan and schedule within 60 

days of filing an independent consultant’s report with the Commission, and complete all 

corrective measures in accordance with the plan and schedule approved or modified by 

the D2SI Regional Engineer. Under the existing regulations, the D2SI Regional Engineer 

may extend the time for filing the plan and schedule. This NOPR does not propose to 

modify or eliminate these requirements.

Proposed § 12.41 incorporates the requirements of existing § 12.36 (emergency 

corrective measures) and § 12.39 (post-inspection corrective measures) into a single 

section titled “corrective measures.” The proposed revisions in § 12.41(a)(1)(i) clarify 

that the licensee’s plan and schedule must address the recommendations of the 

independent consultant and include investigation as an option for the licensee to 

implement. Proposed § 12.41(b)(2) would be added to ensure that emergency corrective 

measures are documented in the corrective plan and schedule required by § 12.41(a)(1). 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 29 -

B. Owner’s Dam Safety Program

The Commission began developing the Owner’s Dam Safety Program guidance 

following the December 2005 failure of Taum Sauk Dam. The lack of a strong dam 

safety culture in the licensee’s organization was a major contributing factor to that 

incident, as well as to several dam safety incidents that preceded and followed it. In 

August 2012, the Director of D2SI issued letters to all owners of high or significant 

hazard potential dams requiring them to submit an Owner’s Dam Safety Program.34 

Additional information and guidance on the development of an Owner’s Dam Safety 

Program development has been available on the Commission’s website since this time. 

Proposed subpart F consolidates and codifies that guidance, as discussed further below.

1. Section 12.60 – Applicability 

Proposed § 12.60 specifies that an Owner’s Dam Safety Program must be 

submitted by any licensee that has a dam or other project feature with a high or 

significant hazard potential. This does not represent a change from existing practice.

2. Section 12.61 – Definitions

Proposed § 12.61 defines the terms “Chief Dam Safety Engineer” and “Chief Dam 

Safety Coordinator,” as used in subpart F. The Chief Dam Safety Engineer or Chief Dam 

Safety Coordinator is defined as the person who oversees the implementation of the 

Owner’s Dam Safety Program and has primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of 

34 Letter to All Licensees and Exemptees of High and Significant Hazard Potential 

Dams Requiring Submittal of an Owner’s Dam Safety Program, August 2012, 

https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/letter-submit-odsp.pdf.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 30 -

the licensee’s dams and other project features. The only difference between the 

definitions is that a Chief Dam Safety Engineer must be a licensed professional engineer.

3. Section 12.62 – General Requirements 

Proposed § 12.62 establishes three general requirements for an Owner’s Dam 

Safety Program. Section 12.62(a) requires an Owner’s Dam Safety Program to designate 

either a Chief Dam Safety Engineer or a Chief Dam Safety Coordinator. Any Owner’s 

Dam Safety Program that applies to one or more dams or other project features with a 

high hazard potential must designate a Chief Dam Safety Engineer. Section 12.62(b) 

requires the Owner’s Dam Safety Program to be signed by the owner and the Chief Dam 

Safety Engineer or Chief Dam Safety Coordinator, as applicable. Section 12.62(c) 

requires the Owner’s Dam Safety Program to be reviewed and updated on a periodic 

basis. Section 12.62(d) permits the Owner to designate outside parties, such as 

consultants, to serve as Chief Dam Safety Engineer or Chief Dam Safety Coordinator, 

though the owner retains ultimate responsibility for the safety and day-to-day 

implementation of their projects. 

4. Section 12.63 – Contents of Owner’s Dam Safety Program

Proposed § 12.63 establishes the minimum contents of an Owner’s Dam Safety 

Program. Sections 12.63(a)-(f) each correspond to a topic area that should be addressed
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 31 -

in an Owner’s Dam Safety Program document and reflected in the document’s table of 

contents, as provided in current D2SI guidance available on the Commission’s website.

35 

Under § 12.63(g), the Owner’s Dam Safety Program should also include any additional

information that may be prescribed by the Engineering Guidelines, a draft chapter of 

which is in development and will be provided at a later date for public review and 

comment.

5. Section 12.64 – Annual Review and Update 

Proposed § 12.64 describes the requirements for reviewing and updating an 

Owner’s Dam Safety Program. Section 12.64 specifies that any Owner’s Dam Safety 

Program must be reviewed by the licensee’s dam safety staff and discussed with senior 

management on an annual basis, and that any findings, analysis, corrective measures, or 

revisions be submitted to the D2SI Regional Engineer. 

6. Section 12.65 – Independent External Audit and Peer Review

Section 12.65 describes the requirements of independent external audits and peer 

reviews, which must be completed at least once every five years for any Owner’s Dam 

Safety Program that applies to one or more dams or other project features having a high 

hazard potential classification. The qualifications of the review team must be submitted 

to the D2SI Regional Engineer in advance, and the Regional Engineer’s acceptance must 

be obtained prior to performing the audit or peer review. The Commission will review 

35 FERC, Outline for Owner’s Dam Safety Program – Table of Contents, 

https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/outline-with-discussion.pdf.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 32 -

the qualifications to ensure that the review team has sufficient expertise and a defined 

plan to review the Owner’s Dam Safety Program. The findings of the external audit or 

peer review team must be documented in a report to be reviewed by licensee staff, 

including senior management, and submitted to the Regional Engineer. 

C. Public Safety and Miscellaneous Updates 

This NOPR also proposes several changes to subparts A, B, C, and E of 18 CFR 

part 12, most of which are minor in nature and necessary to ensure consistency with the 

replaced subpart D and new subpart F. The two notable proposed revisions relate to the 

reporting of public safety incidents and the development of public safety plans and their 

submittal to the Commission.

1. Subpart A – General Provisions

Subpart A sets forth general provisions and definitions that apply to 18 CFR part 

12. The proposed rule would update or add several definitions and make other minor 

changes to ensure consistency with replaced subpart D and new subpart F. Section 

12.3(b)(4) provides a list of conditions affecting the safety of project works. Two of 

these conditions would be updated to ensure their definitions are consistent as applied in 

current practice. In addition, “overtopping of any dam, abutment, canal, or water 

conveyance” would be added to the list of conditions that could affect project safety. 

New definitions for “water conveyance,” “Engineering Guidelines,” and “Owner’s Dam 

Safety Program” would also be added. All other revisions in subpart A are proposed to 

ensure consistent terminology and to update internal references.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 33 -

Section 309 of the FPA authorizes the Commission “to perform any and all acts, 

and to . . . issue . . . such orders, rules, and regulations as it may find necessary or 

appropriate to carry out the provisions of the [FPA],” and FPA section 31 gives the 

Commission authority to enforce legal and regulatory requirements. Non-compliance

with dam safety directives could result in the Commission taking actions such as issuing 

a cease generation order, assessing civil penalties, or revoking the project’s license 

pursuant to section 31 of the FPA. Accordingly, the proposed addition of § 12.4(d) 

makes clear that a licensee’s failure to comply with any order or directive issued under 

part 12 by the Commission, a Regional Engineer, or other authorized Commission 

representative may result in sanctions as noted above.

2. Subpart B – Reports and Records

Subpart B sets forth requirements for reporting, verifying, and providing records 

to the Commission regarding dam safety-related matters, including public safety 

incidents. The Commission proposes minor revisions to ensure consistency with other 

sections of the regulations and the dam safety program as implemented. In addition, the 

proposed rule would require additional reporting of public safety-related incidents that 

involve deaths, serious injuries, or rescues. 

The proposed revisions to § 12.10(a)(1) express the Commission’s preference that 

oral reports of conditions affecting the safety of a project or its works are made within 72 

hours of discovery of the condition. The reporting of an incident to the Commission must 

not in any way inhibit an emergency response to that incident.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 34 -

The proposed revisions to § 12.10(b) would require the reporting of rescues in 

addition to deaths and serious injuries, as well as clarify what constitutes a project-related 

incident. For precision and to use terminology that is generally accepted in the dam 

safety community, we propose to replace the term “project-related accident” with 

“project-related incident.” Currently, § 12.10(b)(4) defines “project-related,” as “any 

deaths or serious injuries involving a dam, spillway, intake, or power line, or which take 

place at or immediately above or below a dam.”36 In our experience, the final clause of 

the definition has been the most problematic for licensees to apply, often leading 

licensees to report as project-related those deaths or serious injuries that occur near a dam 

but are wholly unrelated to the project or its operation. By revising the definition of 

“project-related,” we intend to make clear that an incident is project-related only if it 

occurs at project works, involves changes in water levels resulting from operations of 

project works, or is otherwise attributable to the project or its operation.

The proposed revisions to § 12.12(b)(3) permit storage media other than 

microform, which is consistent with part 125 of the Commission’s regulations. Section 

12.12(d) is added to require the licensee to provide physical and electronic records to the 

D2SI Regional Engineer for all projects subject to subpart D, or as requested by the D2SI 

Regional Engineer, for which the information is necessary for the Commission to ensure 

the safety of the project works. The existing § 12.12(b)(2)(ii)(A) already grants the 

Regional Engineer the authority to require that an applicant or licensee submit such 

36 18 CFR 12.10(b)(4) (emphasis added). 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 35 -

reports or information and is unchanged; this provision has historically been applied to all 

projects subject to subpart D through the requirement to develop, maintain, and submit a 

Supporting Technical Information Document, which is described in the Engineering 

Guidelines. Neither of these requirements represent a change in D2SI practice.

3. Subpart C – Emergency Action Plans

Subpart C sets forth requirements related to emergency action plans. The 

Commission proposes only minor revisions to §§ 12.20, 12.22, and 12.24 to ensure 

consistency with the hydropower filing guidelines available on the Commission’s 

website, terminology with respect to the Engineering Guidelines, and to update crossreferences to other sections in this part.

4. Subpart E – Other Responsibilities of Applicant or Licensee

Subpart E sets forth other applicant and licensee responsibilities, including the 

requirement to install warning and public safety devices, and test spillway gates. The 

Commission proposes to replace one section and update another to codify a function of 

the dam safety program as currently implemented and to ensure the use of consistent 

terminology in conjunction with the proposed replacement of subpart D. Subpart E will 

be redesignated as §§ 12.50 to 12.54 to accommodate the proposed inclusion of 

additional sections in subpart D. These proposed revisions to subpart E do not represent 

a change in practice.

The proposed revisions to § 12.52 (warning and safety devices; currently § 12.42) 

preserve the current regulatory requirement that licensees must install, operate, and 

maintain warning and safety devices to protect the public, with a minor revision to ensure 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 36 -

consistency with the rest of part 12. Proposed § 12.52(b) codifies existing D2SI guidance 

that the Commission may require a licensee to submit a public safety plan that documents 

the installation, operation, and maintenance of public safety devices.37

Finally, we propose to revise § 12.54 (testing spillway gates; currently § 12.44) to 

replace the term “periodic inspection” with the more generic term “an inspection.” This 

change in terminology will ensure that Commission staff can continue to verify the 

operability of spillway gates during their routine inspections, and will prevent this section 

from being misconstrued as applying only to a periodic inspection as it is proposed to be 

defined and described in subpart D of this NOPR. 

III. Regulatory Requirements

A. Information Collection Statement

The Paperwork Reduction Act38 requires each federal agency to seek and obtain 

the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) approval before undertaking a collection 

of information (including reporting, record keeping, and public disclosure requirements) 

directed to ten or more persons or contained in a rule of general applicability. OMB 

regulations require approval of certain information collection requirements contemplated 

by proposed rules (including deletion, revision, or implementation of new 

37 FERC, Guidelines for Public Safety at Hydropower Projects (Mar. 1992), 

https://www.ferc.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/public-safety.pdf.

38 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 37 -

requirements).39 Upon approval of a collection of information, OMB will assign an 

OMB control number and an expiration date. Respondents subject to the filing 

requirements of this proposed rule will not be penalized for failing to respond to the 

collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB 

control number.

The following discussion describes and analyzes the collections of information 

modified by this proposed rule. 

The Commission solicits comments on the Commission’s need for the proposed 

information collection in this NOPR and in draft Chapters 15 through 18 of the

Engineering Guidelines,40 whether the information will have practical utility, the 

accuracy of the burden estimates, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 

information to be collected or retained, and any suggested methods for minimizing 

respondents’ burden, including the use of automated information techniques. All burden 

estimates for all proposed information collection activities (including those in draft 

Chapters 15 through 18 of the Engineering Guidelines) are discussed in this NOPR and in 

the Paperwork Reduction Act supporting statement.

39 See 5 CFR 1320.

40 Concurrently with issuance of this NOPR, the Commission is issuing for public 

comment the draft chapters of the Engineering Guidelines in Docket Nos. AD20-20-000 

(Chapter 15 – Supporting Technical Information Document), AD20-21-000 (Chapter 16 

– Part 12D Program), AD20-22-000 (Chapter 17 – Potential Failure Mode Analysis), and 

AD20-23-000 (Chapter 18 – Level 2 Risk Analysis). See supra P 20. 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 38 -

Interested persons may submit questions about the information collection activities 

by contacting Ellen Brown, Office of the Executive Director, at 

DataClearance@ferc.gov, or (202) 502-8663. Please send comments concerning the 

collection of information and the associated burden estimates to: Office of Information 

and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget [Attention: Federal Energy 

Regulatory Commission Desk Officer]. Due to security concerns, comments should be 

sent directly to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Comments submitted to OMB 

should be sent within 60 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register and 

refer to FERC-517 and OMB Control No. 1902-TBD.

Please submit to the Commission copies of comments concerning the collection of 

information and the associated burden estimates (identified by Docket No. RM20-9-000) 

by either of the following methods:

• Electronic Filing through the Commission’s Web Site: 

https://www.ferconline.ferc.gov/eFiling.aspx; or

• Mail/Express Services: Persons unable to file electronically may mail 

similar pleadings to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First 

Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand-delivered submissions in 

docketed proceedings should be delivered to Health and Human Services, 

12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

Public Reporting Burden: In this NOPR, the Commission proposes to establish 

two tiers of Independent Consultant’s Safety Inspection Reports, further develop the 

Owner’s Dam Safety Program, and require reporting of rescues that occur at 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 39 -

hydroelectric projects. The NOPR, in conjunction with the corresponding updates to the 

Engineering Guidelines, would revise and add some information collection activities in 

18 CFR part 12.

The proposed revisions to 18 CFR part 12, subpart D (independent consultant 

inspections), if adopted, would not affect the current five-year filing cycle for 

Independent Consultant’s Safety Inspection Reports; however, they would modify the 

scope of reports on an alternating cycle, such that the reports would alternate between a 

periodic inspection (a reduction in scope compared to current inspection requirement) 

and a comprehensive assessment (an increase in scope compared to current inspection 

requirement). The hydroelectric facilities regulated by the Commission vary greatly in 

size and complexity, and there is no single representative project. To evaluate the burden 

associated with the proposed revisions to Independent Consultant’s Safety Inspection 

Reports, Commission staff developed separate cost estimates for “Simple” and 

“Complex” hydroelectric facilities, which are listed in the table below. Commission staff 

recognizes that there will be projects with annualized costs less than the “Simple” 

estimate or greater than the “Complex” estimate, but Commission staff believe the values 

presented are appropriately representative when averaged across the total inventory of 

hydroelectric projects and respondents. The assumption underlying these burden 

estimates is that one-half of licensed projects can be represented by each category.41

41 The cost data presented in the table is the change in annualized cost based on the 

proposed changes described in the NOPR. The annualized costs are based on the total 

cost, in 2020 dollars, over the typical 10-year Part 12D inspection cycle, which comprises 

one Comprehensive Assessment and one Periodic Inspection, and the associated 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 40 -

The proposed addition of 18 CFR part 12, subpart F (Owner’s Dam Safety 

Program) would codify existing requirements for the preparation or collection of 

information. Those licensees who are required to prepare an Owner’s Dam Safety 

Program, due to the hazard potential classification of their licensed project(s), have 

already done so. When a new license is issued for a non-constructed or previously 

unlicensed project, the Commission includes a license article requiring an Owner’s Dam 

Safety Program if warranted. There may be situations in which a project’s hazard 

potential classification increases from low to either significant or high (e.g., due to new 

housing development within the hypothetical inundation area). If that licensee has no 

other projects classified as significant or high (i.e., does not have an Owner’s Dam Safety 

Program), then the licensee would be required to prepare a new Owner’s Dam Safety 

Program. However, this is not expected to occur frequently or with any regularity. Thus, 

Commission staff estimates no added incremental burden or cost from the proposed 

addition of subpart F.

The proposed minor revisions to 18 CFR part 12, subpart B would require 

licensees to report the rescue of any person that occurs at hydroelectric facilities, which is 

in addition to existing requirements that licensees report public safety incidents that result 

in the death or serious injury of any person.

activities. The scope of each inspection and associated reporting requirements are 

defined in the proposed rules.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 41 -

Table 1 itemizes the estimated annual burden42 and direct cost43 of the proposed 

changes due to this NOPR. Record keeping requirements are included in the burden and 

cost estimates for the development and collection of the data and reports.

42 “Burden” is the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to 

generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. 

For further explanation of what is included in the information collection burden, refer to 

Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3.

43 Direct costs are those costs (generally labor costs) associated with the 

applicant’s or licensee’s staff in the performance of the efforts related to the proposed 

rule change. These do not include the costs for professional services, although the direct 

costs do include the costs associated with the applicant’s or licensee’s administration and 

execution of contracts for professional services.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 42 -

Table 1. Annual Burden and Direct Cost Changes 

Proposed by the NOPR in Docket No. RM20-9-00044

A.

Type of 

Responde

nt

B.

Type of 

Response

C.

No. of 

Responden

ts

D.

Avg. No. 

of Annual 

Responses 

per 

Responde

nt

E.

Avg. 

Annual 

Burden 

Hrs.

and Cost 

per 

Respons

e

F.

Total 

No. of 

Annual 

Respon

ses

(Col. C 

x Col. 

D)

G.

Total

Annual 

Burden 

Hrs. and 

Cost

(Col. E x 

Col. F)

Applicant

45 or 

Licensee46

Reports of 

ProjectRelated 

Deaths, 

Serious 

Injuries, or 

Rescues47

6548 2.1449 2 hrs.; 

$166 139 278 hrs.;$23,074

44 The Commission staff believes that industry is similarly situated in terms of cost 

for wages and benefits. Therefore, we are using the FERC 2020 average cost (for wages 

plus benefits) for one FERC full-time equivalent (FTE) of $172,329 (or $83.00 per hour).

45 As defined by 18 CFR 12.1(a)(2).

46 As defined by 18 CFR 12.1(a)(1) and (a)(3).

47 Proposed revisions of 18 CFR 12.10(b)(1), 12.10(b)(2), and 12.10(b)(4) for 

written reports of project-related deaths, serious injuries, or rescues at project works or 

involving project operations.

48 Commission staff assumes the average number of respondents who will file a 

12.10(b) public safety incident report documenting a rescue at a hydroelectric project will 

equal the average number of respondents who filed a 12.10(b) public safety incident 

report documenting a death or serious injury over the 10-year period from January 1, 

2009 through December 31, 2018.

49 Commission staff assumes the average number of 12.10(b) public safety 

incident reports documenting rescues at hydroelectric projects will equal the average 

number of 12.10(b) reports for deaths and serious injuries over the 10-year period from 

January 1, 2009 through December 21, 2018.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 43 -

Licensee 

of Simple 

Hydro 

Facility50

Ind. Cons. 

Team 

Proposals 

and Reports 

on PIs and 

CAs51

37552 0.153 0 hrs.;

$0 37.5 0 hrs.;$0

Licensee 

of 

Complex 

Hydro 

Facility

Ind. Cons. 

Team 

Proposals 

and Reports 

on PIs and 

CAs54

375 0.1

0.655

hrs.; 

$49.80

37.5

22.5 hrs.; 

$1,867.5

0

50 Commission staff estimates no incremental change in direct costs due to the 

proposed rule change as compared to the current burden and costs.

51 Includes direct costs associated with the preparation and submittal of 

Independent Consultant Team Proposals (proposed 18 CFR 12.34) and Reports for 

Periodic Inspections and Comprehensive Assessments (proposed 18 CFR 12.36 and 

12.38).

52 Approximately 750 project developments licensed by the Commission are 

subject to the reporting requirements. This table defines a single response as the 

consolidated filings associated with the typical ten-year cycle for Independent 

Consultant’s Safety Inspections, which would take effect following implementation of a 

final rule. A single response would include one each of the reports and other filings 

required under the scope of a Periodic Inspection and a Comprehensive Assessment. 

Thus, the total number of responses over a ten-year period will be the number of projects 

(750), divided equally between the “Simple” and “Complex” categories of hydroelectric 

facilities. 

53 As previously noted, this table defines a single response as the consolidated 

filings associated with the typical ten-year cycle for Independent Consultant’s Safety 

Inspections. Therefore, the number of annual responses is averaged over the ten-year 

period, or 0.1 responses on average per year.

54 See supra note 51.

55 Burden costs include hourly wages estimated based on complexity of project, 

scope of inspection, experience and number of assigned staff, and were compared to 

industry estimates provided by fewer than nine industry representatives who were 

contacted by Commission staff.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 44 -

Licensee Exemption 

Requests56 10 1 2 hrs.; $166 10 20 hrs.;$1,660

Licensee 

of Dam or 

Other 

Project 

Feature 

with a 

High or 

Significant 

Hazard 

Potential

Owner’s 

Dam Safety 

Program 

Submittals57

Staff estimates no incremental change in direct costs due to 

the proposed rule change as compared to the current burden 

and costs.

Totals ― 825 ― ― 224

320.5 

hrs.;

$26,601.

50

Table 2 itemizes the estimated annual burden and annual contracting costs for 

professional services58 of the information collections that would be affected by this 

NOPR. Record keeping requirements are included in the burden and cost estimates for 

the development and collection of the data and reports.

56 Proposed 18 CFR 12.33(a) includes a provision for licensees to submit a written 

request to be excluded from the requirements of 18 CFR Subpart D in extraordinary 

circumstances.

57 Includes direct costs associated with the preparation and submittal of Owner’s 

Dam Safety Program Document (proposed 18 CFR 12.60 and 12.63), Statements of 

Qualifications for External Audit or Peer Review (proposed 18 CFR 12.65(b)), and 

Reports of Audits or Peer Review (proposed 18 CFR 12.65(c)).

58 Contracting costs include costs for professional services, including labor, travel 

and subsistence, and other indirect costs incurred by the contractor or consultant. 

Contracting costs do not include direct costs incurred by the applicant or licensee in the 

administration or execution of the contract for professional services; those are included in 

the previous table, as applicable. 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 45 -

Table 2. Annual Burden and Contracting Cost for Professional Services Changes 

Proposed by the NOPR in Docket No. RM20-9-000

A.

Type of 

Responde

nt

B.

Type of 

Response

C.

No. of 

Responden

ts

D.

Avg. No. 

of Annual 

Responses 

per 

Responde

nt

E.

Avg. 

Annual 

Burden 

Hrs.

and Cost 

per 

Respons

e

F.

Total 

No. of 

Annual 

Respon

ses

(Col. C 

x Col. 

D)

G.

Total

Annual 

Burden 

Hrs. and 

Cost

(Col. E x 

Col. F)

Applicant

59 or 

Licensee60

Reports of 

ProjectRelated 

Deaths, 

Serious 

Injuries, or 

Rescues61

There are no anticipated costs for contracted professional 

services affected by this proposed rule change.

59 As defined by 18 CFR 12.1(a)(2). 

60 As defined by 18 CFR 12.1(a)(1) and (a)(3). 

61 Proposed revisions of 18 CFR 12.10(b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(4) for written reports

of project-related deaths, serious injuries, or rescues at project works or involving project 

operations. 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 46 -

Licensee 

of Simple 

Hydro 

Facility

Ind. Cons. 

Team 

Proposals 

and Reports 

on PIs and 

CAs62

37563 0.164

12 hrs.;65

$2,524.4

0

37.5 450 hrs.;

$94,665

Licensee 

of 

Complex 

Hydro 

Facility

Ind. Cons. 

Team 

Proposals 

and Reports 

on PIs and 

CAs66

375 0.1

32 hrs.;67

$6,979.9

0

37.5

1,200 

hrs.; 

$261,746

.25

62 Includes contracting costs for professional services associated with the 

preparation and submittal of Independent Consultant Team Proposals (proposed 18 CFR 

12.34) and Reports for Periodic Inspections and Comprehensive Assessments (proposed 

18 CFR 12.36 and 12.38). 

63 Approximately 750 project developments licensed by the Commission are 

subject to the reporting requirements. This table defines a single response as the 

consolidated filings associated with the typical ten-year cycle for Independent 

Consultant’s Safety Inspections, which would take effect following implementation of a 

final rule. A single response would include one each of the reports and other filings 

required under the scope of a Periodic Inspection and a Comprehensive Assessment. 

Thus, the total number of responses over a ten-year period will be the number of projects 

(750), divided equally between the “Simple” and “Complex” categories of hydroelectric 

facilities.

64 As previously noted, this table defines a single response as the consolidated 

filings associated with the typical ten-year cycle for Independent Consultant’s Safety 

Inspections. Therefore, the number of annual responses is averaged over the ten-year 

period, or 0.1 responses on average per year.

65 Burden costs include hourly wages estimated based on complexity of project, 

scope of inspection, experience and number of assigned staff, and were compared to 

industry estimates provided by fewer than nine industry representatives.

66 See supra note 62. 

67 See supra note 65.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 47 -

Licensee Exemption 

Requests68

There are no anticipated costs for contracted professional 

services affected by this proposed rule change.

Licensee 

of Dam or 

Other 

Project 

Feature 

with a 

High or 

Significant 

Hazard 

Potential

Owner’s 

Dam Safety 

Program 

Submittals69

Commission staff estimates no incremental change in costs 

for contracted professional services due to the proposed 

rule change as compared to the current burden and costs.

Totals ― 750 ― ― 75

1,650 

hrs.;

$356,411

.25

Table 3 itemizes the estimated annual burden and total cost (direct costs [from 

Table 1] and costs for contracted professional services [from Table 2]), of the proposed 

changes due to this NOPR. Record keeping requirements are included in the burden and 

cost estimates for the development and collection of the data and reports.

68 Proposed 18 CFR 12.33(a) includes a provision for licensees to request a written 

request to be excluded from the requirements of 18 CFR Subpart D in extraordinary 

circumstances. 

69 Includes costs for contracted professional services associated with the 

preparation and submittal of Owner’s Dam Safety Program Document (proposed 18 CFR 

12.60 and 12.63), Statements of Qualifications for External Audit or Peer Review 

(proposed 18 CFR 12.65(b)), and Reports of Audits or Peer Review (proposed 18 CFR 

12.65(c)). 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 48 -

Table 3. Total Annual Burden and Cost Changes 

Proposed by the NOPR in Docket No. RM20-9-000

A.

Type of

Responde

nt

B.

Type of 

Response

C.

No. of 

Responden

ts

D.

Avg. No. 

of Annual 

Responses 

per 

Responde

nt

E.

Avg. 

Annual 

Burden 

Hrs.

and Cost 

per 

Respons

e

F.

Total 

No. of 

Annual 

Respon

ses

(Col. C 

x Col. 

D)

G.

Total

Annual 

Burden 

Hrs. and 

Cost

(Col. E x 

Col. F)

Applicant

70 or 

Licensee71

Reports of 

ProjectRelated 

Deaths, 

Serious 

Injuries, or 

Rescues72

65 2.14 2 hrs.; 

$166 139 278 hrs.;$23,074

Licensee 

of Simple 

Hydro 

Facility73

Ind. Cons. 

Team 

Proposals 

and Reports 

on PIs and 

CAs74

375 0.1

12 hrs.;

$2,524.4

0

37.5 450 hrs.;

$94,665

70 As defined by 18 CFR 12.1(a)(2).

71 As defined by 18 CFR 12.1(a)(1) and (a)(3). 

72 Proposed revisions of 18 CFR 12.10(b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(4) for written reports

of project-related deaths, serious injuries, or rescues at project works or involving project 

operations. 

73 Includes direct and contracting burden and cost.

74 Includes direct costs associated with the preparation and submittal of 

Independent Consultant Team Proposals (proposed 18 CFR 12.34) and Reports for 

Periodic Inspections and Comprehensive Assessments (proposed 18 CFR 12.36 and 

12.38). 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 49 -

Licensee 

of 

Complex 

Hydro 

Facility75

Ind. Cons. 

Team 

Proposals 

and Reports 

on PIs and 

CAs

375 0.1

32.6 hrs.; 

$7,029.7

0

37.5

1,222.5 

hrs.; 

$263,613

.75

Licensee Exemption 

Requests76 10 1 2 hrs.; $166 10 20 hrs.;$1,660

Licensee 

of Dam or 

Other 

Project 

Feature 

with a 

High or 

Significant 

Hazard 

Potential

Owner’s 

Dam Safety 

Program 

Submittals77

Staff estimates no incremental change in direct costs due to 

the proposed rule change as compared to the current burden 

and costs.

Total for 

Direct 

Costs and 

Contracti

ng Costs 

due to 

NOPR in 

RM20-9-

000

― 825 ― ― 224

1,970.5 

hrs.;

$383,012

.75

Title: FERC-517, Safety of Water Power Projects and Project Works.

75 Includes direct and contracting burden and cost.

76 Proposed 18 CFR 12.33(a) includes a provision for Licensees to request a 

written request to be excluded from the requirements of 18 CFR Subpart D in 

extraordinary circumstances. 

77 Includes direct costs associated with the preparation and submittal of Owner’s 

Dam Safety Program Document (proposed 18 CFR 12.60 and 12.63), Statements of 

Qualifications for External Audit or Peer Review (proposed 18 CFR 12.65(b)), and 

Reports of Audits or Peer Review (proposed 18 CFR 12.65(c)). 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 50 -

Action: Revision to the scope of Independent Consultant’s Safety Inspection 

Reports, Owner’s Dam Safety Program, and addition of reporting requirements related to 

public safety incidents at hydropower projects.

OMB Control No.: 1902-TBD.

Respondents: Hydropower licensees (and applicants, as applicable), including 

municipalities, businesses, private citizens, and for-profit and not-for-profit institutions.

Frequency of Information: On occasion, except for reports on periodic 

inspections and comprehensive assessment, which must be submitted as proposed under 

18 CFR 12.40:

• For any project that was inspected in accordance with 18 CFR part 12 prior 

to January 1, 2021, a periodic inspection or comprehensive assessment 

must be completed, and a report on it filed, within five years of the due date 

of the most recent report. In addition, the first comprehensive assessment 

must be completed, and the report on it filed, by December 31, 2034.

• A licensed project development is subject to a different set of deadlines if 

the development was not inspected in accordance with 18 CFR part 12 prior 

to January 1, 2021, under the Commission’s rules in effect on January 1, 

2020. In these circumstances, the first comprehensive assessment and the 

report on it are due:

o Not later than two years after the date of issuance of the order 

licensing a development or amending a license to include that 

development, if the development meets the criteria specified in 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 51 -

§§ 12.30(a)(1) or 12.30(a)(2), and was constructed before the date 

of issuance of such order.

o Not later than five years after the date of issuance of the order 

licensing that development, or amending a license to include that 

development, if the development was constructed after the date 

of issuance of such order.

o No later than two years after a date specified by the Regional 

Engineer, for other developments that were not inspected prior 

to January 1, 2021, under the Commission’s rules in effect on 

January 1, 2020.

Necessity of Information: The Commission proposes the changes in this NOPR 

in order to enhance the ability of Commission staff to protect the safety of dams and the 

public; to reduce the risk to life, health, and property associated with hydropower 

projects; and to comply with guidance from FEMA’s Interagency Committee on Dam 

Safety.

Internal Review: The Commission has reviewed the proposed changes and has 

determined that such changes are necessary. These requirements conform to the 

Commission’s need for efficient information collection, communication, and
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 52 -

management within the energy industry. The Commission has specific, objective support 

for the burden estimates associated with the information collection requirements.78

Interested persons may obtain information on the reporting requirements by 

contacting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, 

Washington, DC 20426 [Attention: Ellen Brown, Office of the Executive Director], by 

email to DataClearance@ferc.gov, or by phone (202) 502-8663.

B. Environmental Analysis

The Commission is required to prepare an environmental assessment or an 

environmental impact statement for any action that may have a significant effect on the 

human environment.79 Excluded from this requirement are rules that are clarifying, 

corrective, or procedural, or that do not substantially change the effect of legislation or 

the regulations being amended.80 This proposed rule proposes to revise the 

Commission’s dam safety regulations by incorporating a two-tier structure for 

independent consultant safety inspections, codifying guidance requiring licensees to 

develop an owner’s dam safety program and a public safety plan; expanding the scope of 

public safety incident reporting; and incorporating various minor revisions. Because this 

78 Commission staff contacted fewer than nine parties to obtain supporting 

information in order to benchmark burden estimates.

79 Regulations Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 

Order No. 486, FERC Stats. & Regs. ¶ 30,783 (1987) (cross-referenced at 41 FERC 

¶ 61,284).

80 18 CFR 380.4(a)(2)(ii).
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 53 -

proposed rule does not substantially change the effect of the Commission’s part 12 

regulations, preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact 

statement is not required.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA)81 generally requires a description 

and analysis of proposed rules that will have significant economic impact on a substantial 

number of small entities. The RFA mandates consideration of regulatory alternatives that 

accomplish the stated objectives of a proposed rule and minimize any significant 

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.82 In lieu of preparing a 

regulatory flexibility analysis, an agency may certify that a proposed rule will not have a 

significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.83

The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Size Standards develops the 

numerical definition of a small business.84 The SBA size standard for electric utilities is 

based on the number of employees, including affiliates.85 Under SBA’s current size 

81 5 U.S.C. 601-612.

82 Id. 603(c).

83 Id. 605(b).

84 13 CFR 121.101.

85 Id. 121.201.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 54 -

standards, a hydroelectric power generator (NAICS code 221111)86 is small if, including 

its affiliates, it employs 500 or fewer people.87

If enacted, the proposed revisions to part 12, subpart D would directly affect all 

hydropower licensees that are currently required to file Independent Consultant’s Safety 

Inspection Reports. Since the number of licensed projects per respondent varies from one 

to more than 50, the number of respondents does not correlate directly to the number of 

responses. Based on data over the preceding ten-year-period, Commission staff 

estimated the expected number of responses from entities that qualify as small. In total, 

approximately 132 entities qualify as small and would be expected to file approximately 

225 responses (30%) with the Commission over the ten-year cycle. The remaining 

525 responses (70%) would be filed by 106 entities that do not qualify as small.

The Commission notes that the projects owned by entities that qualify as small 

entities are typically smaller and/or less complex than those owned by large entities. 

Thus, the annual incremental cost to small entities would likely skew towards the 

“Simple Hydroelectric Facility” category presented in the burden estimates provided 

above in the Information Collection Statement section. In addition, the proposed rule 

incorporates provisions that grant Commission staff the authority, upon demonstration by 

86 The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is an industry 

classification system that Federal statistical agencies use to categorize businesses for the 

purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. 

economy. United States Census Bureau, North American Industry Classification System, 

https://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/.

87 13 CFR 121.201 (Sector 22 - Utilities).
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 55 -

the licensee and Commission review and acceptance of appropriate justification, to waive 

or reduce the scope of specific components of an Independent Consultant’s Safety 

Inspection (e.g., waiving the requirement to perform a PFMA or risk analysis) or to 

change the type of inspection report (e.g., by allowing an inspection scheduled as a 

comprehensive assessment to be performed instead as a periodic inspection). The 

Commission has included these provisions to focus effort on those projects that present 

greater risk to life, health, and property; and to alleviate the potential economic impact on 

licensees of simple projects that present less risk. Since the burden estimates include all 

components of an Independent Consultant’s Safety Inspection, utilization of these 

provisions may result in a lower incremental cost for small entities.

The proposed addition of part 12, subpart F, which would codify the Owner’s 

Dam Safety Program, would only apply to entities that are responsible for one or more 

projects classified as having a high hazard potential. The Commission expects the 

Owner’s Dam Safety Program to improve communication and understanding within 

licensee organizations as to their responsibilities for ensuring dam safety and protection 

of the public, and may contribute to an increased likelihood that potential dam safety 

issues are caught and addressed before they present an imminent danger to life safety or 

property. 

Because those licensees required to prepare an Owner’s Dam Safety Program due 

to their project’s hazard potential classification have already done so,

88 the Commission 

88 See supra P 94.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 56 -

does not anticipate that the proposed codification of subpart F will impose any additional 

burden or cost on licensees, regardless of their status as a small or large entity.

With respect to the filing of public safety incidents involving the rescue of any 

person at a hydroelectric facility, the Commission estimates that most affected entities 

qualify as small entities. But, as reflected in the burden and cost estimates provided 

above, the Commission expects an additional two burden hours (and corresponding $166,

an amount that would not be considered significant) for licensees or applicants, 

regardless of their status as small or large.

While the proposed revisions to subpart D may have some increased economic 

impact on a limited number of small entities, these improvements to the independent 

consultant safety inspection process are necessary, and the associated costs justified, by 

the Commission’s Congressionally-mandated mission to ensure the protection of life, 

health, and property from risks associated with licensed hydroelectric facilities. In 

addition, the proposed revisions to subpart D are intended to help prevent future dam 

safety incidents that could potentially result in significant economic impacts on small 

entities (e.g., financial costs associated with causing life loss or property damage, major 

project repairs, lost revenue due to the inability to operate the project, etc.).

In summary, based on the estimated costs included in Table 3 above, the estimated 

economic impacts on small entities as a result of the proposed rule could range from 

approximately $166 (for the submittal of a one-time request for an exemption from part 

12, subpart D) to over $7,000 per year for each complex project. A representative cost 

for a typical small entity with one or more simple projects would be approximately 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 57 -

$2,500 per year per project subject to part 12, subpart D.89 Currently, Commission staff 

estimates that over eighty percent of the small entities have two or fewer projects subject 

to subpart D.

Accordingly, pursuant to section 605(b) of the RFA, the Commission certifies that 

this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number 

of small entities.

D. Comment Procedures 

The Commission invites interested persons to submit comments on the matters and 

issues proposed in this notice to be adopted, including any related matters or alternative 

proposals that commenters may wish to discuss. Comments are due [INSERT DATE 60 

DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. 

Comments must refer to Docket No. RM20-9-000, and must include the commenter’s 

name, the organization they represent, if applicable, and their address.

The Commission encourages comments to be filed electronically via the eFiling 

link on the Commission’s website at http://www.ferc.gov. The Commission accepts most 

standard word processing formats. Documents created electronically using word 

processing software should be filed in native applications or print-to-PDF format and not 

in a scanned format. Commenters filing electronically do not need to make a paper 

filing.

89 Commission staff estimates that more than half of the 132 small entities have 

one or more simple projects and no complex projects. 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 58 -

Commenters that are not able to file comments electronically must send an 

original of their comments to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the 

Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.

All comments will be placed in the Commission’s public files and may be viewed, 

printed, or downloaded remotely as described in the Document Availability section 

below. Commenters on this proposal are not required to serve copies of their comments 

on other commenters.

E. Document Availability 

In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the Federal Register, the 

Commission provides all interested persons an opportunity to view and print the contents 

of this document via the Internet through the Commission’s Home Page 

(http://www.ferc.gov). At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the 

Commission’s Public Reference Room due to the President’s March 13, 2020 

proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease 

(COVID-19). 

From the Commission’s Home Page on the Internet, this information is available 

on eLibrary. The full text of this document is available on eLibrary in PDF and 

Microsoft Word format for viewing, printing, and/or downloading. To access this 

document in eLibrary, type the docket number excluding the last three digits of this 

document in the docket number field.

User assistance is available for eLibrary and the Commission’s website during 

normal business hours from the Commission’s Online Support at (202) 502-6652 (toll 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 59 -

free at 1-866-208-3676) or email at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov, or the Public Reference 

Room at (202) 502-8371, TTY (202) 502-8659. E-mail the Public Reference Room at 

public.referenceroom@ferc.gov.

List of Subjects in 18 CFR Part 12

Electric power, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Safety.

By direction of the Commission.

Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,

Deputy Secretary.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 60 -

In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

proposes to amend Part 12, Chapter I, Title 18, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART 12 – SAFETY OF WATER POWER PROJECTS AND PROJECT WORKS 

1. The authority citation for part 12 is revised to read as follows: 

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352. 

Subpart A—General Provisions

§ 12.3 [Amended]

2. Amend § 12.3 by: 

a. In paragraph (b)(3), removing “Inspections” and adding, in its place, “Dam Safety and 

Inspections”;

b. In paragraph (b)(4), adding “, including recreation” after “other beneficial public 

uses”; 

c. In paragraph (b)(4)(ii), adding “, misoperation of, or failure to operate when 

attempted” after “Failure of”;

d. Revising paragraph (b)(4)(v);

e. Redesignating paragraph (b)(4)(xiii) as (b)(4)(xiv) and adding new paragraph 

(b)(4)(xiii); and

f. Redesignating paragraph (b)(11) as (b)(15) and adding new paragraphs (b)(11) through 

(b)(14).

The revisions and additions read as follows: 

§ 12.3 Definitions. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * *

(3) Authorized Commission representative means the Director of the Office of Energy 

Projects, the Director of the Division of Dam Safety and Inspections, the Regional 

Engineer, or any other member of the Commission staff whom the Commission may 

specifically designate.

(4) Condition affecting the safety of a project or project works means any condition, 

event, or action at the project which might compromise the safety, stability, or integrity 

of any project work or the ability of any project work to function safely for its intended 

purposes, including navigation, water power development, or other beneficial public uses, 

including recreation; or which might otherwise adversely affect life, health, or property. 

Conditions affecting the safety of a project or project works include, but are not limited 

to:

(i) * * * 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 61 -

(ii) Failure of, misoperation of, or failure to operate when attempted any facility that 

controls the release or storage of impounded water, such as a gate or a valve;

* * * * *

(v) Internal erosion, piping, slides, or settlements of materials in any dam, foundation, 

abutment, dike, or embankment;

* * * * *

(xiii) Overtopping of any dam, abutment, canal, or water conveyance;

(xiv) Any other signs of instability of any project work.

* * * * *

(11) Water conveyance means any canal, penstock, tunnel, flowline, flume, siphon, or 

other feature, constructed or natural, which facilitates the movement of water for the 

generation of hydropower, environmental benefit, or other purpose required by the 

project license.

(12) Guidelines means the Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower 

Projects established, and from time to time revised, by the Director of the Division of 

Dam Safety and Inspections, and available on the Commission’s website.

(13) Owner’s Dam Safety Program means the written document that formalizes a 

licensee’s dam safety program, including, but not limited to, the licensee’s dam safety 

policies; objectives; expectations; responsibilities; training program; communication, 

coordination, and reporting; record keeping; succession planning; continuous 

improvement; and audits and assessments.

(14) Hazard potential for any dam, canal, or water conveyance is a classification 

based on the potential consequences in the event of failure or misoperation of the dam, 

canal, or water conveyance, and is subdivided into categories (e.g., Low, Significant, 

High).

(i) High hazard potential generally indicates that failure or misoperation of the project 

feature will probably cause loss of human life.

(ii) Significant hazard potential and low hazard potential generally indicate that 

failure or misoperation will probably not cause loss of human life but may have some 

amount of economic, environmental, or other consequences.

(iii) Other information on hazard potential classifications is provided in the Guidelines.

(15) Act means the Federal Power Act.

§ 12.4 [Amended]

3. Amend § 12.4 by: 

a. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B); 

b. Revising paragraph (b)(2)(iii); 

c. Revising paragraph (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3); and

d. Adding paragraph (d). 

The revisions and addition read as follows: 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 62 -

§ 12.4 Staff administrative responsibility and supervisory authority. 

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(2) * * *

(ii) * * *

(B) Any condition affecting the safety of a project or project works or any death, 

serious injuries, or rescues that occur at, or might be attributable to, the water power 

project;

(iii) * * *

(A) Any emergency action plan filed under subpart C of this part; 

(B) Any Owner’s Dam Safety Program filed under subpart F of this part;

(C) Any plan of corrective measures, including related schedules, submitted after the 

report of an independent consultant pursuant to §12.36 or §12.38 or any other inspection 

report; or

(D) Any public safety plan filed under § 12.52(b).

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(1) Any order or directive issued under this part by a Regional Engineer or other 

authorized Commission representative may be appealed to the Commission under 

§ 385.207 of this chapter.

(2) Any order or directive issued under this part by a Regional Engineer or other 

authorized Commission representative is immediately effective and remains in effect 

until: * * *

(3) An appeal or motion for rescission, amendment, or stay of any order or directive 

issued under this part must contain a full explanation of why granting the appeal or the 

request for rescission or amendment of the order or directive, or for stay for the period 

requested, will not endanger life, health, or property.

(d) Failure to comply. If a licensee fails to comply with any order or directive issued 

under this part by the Commission, a Regional Engineer, or other authorized Commission 

representative, the licensee may be subject to sanctions, including, but not limited to, 

civil penalties, orders to cease generation, or license revocation.

Subpart B—Reports and Records 

§ 12.10 [Amended]

4. Amend § 12.10 by:

a. Revising the second sentence of paragraph (a)(1); and 

b. Revising paragraph (b).

The revisions read as follows: 
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§ 12.10 Reporting safety-related incidents.

(a) * * * 

(1) * * * The initial oral report must be made as soon as practicable after that 

condition is discovered, preferably within 72 hours, without unduly interfering with any 

necessary or appropriate emergency repair, alarm, or other emergency action procedure.

* * * * *

(b) Deaths, serious injuries, or rescues.

(1) Promptly after becoming aware of any drowning or other incident resulting in 

death, serious injury, or rescue that occurs at the project works or involves project 

operation, the applicant or licensee must report that incident to the Regional Engineer in 

writing, including a description of the cause and location of the incident.

(2) The written report of any death, serious injury, or rescue that occurs at the project 

works or involves project operations, and is considered or alleged to be project related, 

must also describe any remedial actions taken or proposed to avoid or reduce the chance 

of similar occurrences in the future and be verified in accordance with § 12.13.

(3) Incidents that are not project-related may be reported by providing a copy of a 

clipping from a newspaper article, if available.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph, project related includes any deaths, serious 

injuries, or rescues that:

(i)involve a project dam, spillway, intake, outlet works, tailrace, power canal, 

powerhouse, powerline, other water conveyance, or other appurtenances; or

(ii) involve changes in water levels or flows caused by generating units, project gates, 

or other flow regulating equipment; or

(iii) are otherwise attributable to project works and/or project operations.

§ 12.12 [Amended] 

5. Amend § 12.12 by:

a. Removing, in paragraph (a)(1)(ii), “§ 12.41” and adding, in its place, “§ 12.51”; 

b. Revising paragraph (b)(3); and 

c. Adding paragraph (d).

The revisions and addition read as follows: 

§ 12.12 Maintenance of records.

(a) * * *

(1) * * *

(ii) Instrumentation observations and data collected during construction, operation, or 

maintenance of the project, including continuously maintained tabular records and graphs 

illustrating the data collected pursuant to §12.51; and

* * * * *
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 64 -

(b) * * *

(3) In accordance with the provisions of part 125 of this chapter, the applicant or 

licensee may select its own storage media to maintain original records or record copies at 

the project site, provided that appropriate equipment is available to view the records.

* * * * *

(d) Provision of records. If the project is subject to subpart D of this part, or if 

requested by the Regional Engineer, the applicant or licensee must provide to the 

Regional Engineer physical and electronic copies of the documents listed in paragraph 

(a)(1) of this section, except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

Subpart C—Emergency Action Plans 

§ 12.20 [Amended]

6. Amend § 12.20(a) by removing the words “three copies of”.

§ 12.22 [Amended]

7. Amend § 12.22 as follows: 

a. In § 12.22(a)(1) remove “the guidelines established, and from time to time revised, by 

the Director of the Office of Energy Projects (available from the division of Inspections 

or the Regional Engineer)” and add, in its place, “the Guidelines”; and

b. In § 12.22(a)(2) remove “the guidelines established by the Director of the Office of 

Energy Projects” and add, in its place, “the Guidelines”. 

§ 12.24 [Amended]

8. Revise § 12.24(c)(3) to remove the words “three copies of”. 

9. Revise subpart D to read as follows: 

Subpart D—Review, Inspection, and Assessment by Independent Consultant

Sec. 

12.30 Applicability. 

12.31 Definitions. 

12.32 General inspection requirement.

12.33 Exemption.

12.34 Approval of independent consultant team.

12.35 Periodic inspection.

12.36 Report on a period inspection. 

12.37 Comprehensive assessment. 
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12.38 Report on a comprehensive assessment. 

12.39 Evaluation of spillway adequacy. 

12.40 Time for inspections and reports. 

12.41 Corrective measures. 

§ 12.30 Applicability.

This subpart applies to any licensed project development that:

(a) Has a dam

(1) That is more than 32.8 feet (10 meters) in height above streambed, as defined in 

§12.31(d); or

(2) With an impoundment gross storage capacity of more than 2,000 acre-feet (2.5 

million cubic meters), as defined in §12.31(e);

(b) That has a project feature (dam, canal, or water conveyance) or any portion thereof 

that has a high hazard potential, as defined in §12.3(b)(14); or

(c) Is determined by the Regional Engineer or other authorized Commission 

representative to require inspection by an independent consultant under this subpart.

§ 12.31 Definitions.

For purposes of this subpart:

(a) Independent consultant means any person who:

(1) Is a licensed professional engineer;

(2) Has at least 10 years of experience and expertise in dam design and construction 

and in the evaluation and assessment of the safety of existing dams; 

(3) Is not an employee of the licensee or its affiliates;

(4) Has not been an employee of the licensee or its affiliates within two years prior to 

performing engineering and/or scientific services for an inspection or assessment under 

this subpart; and

(5) Has not been an agent acting on behalf of the licensee or its affiliates, prior to

performing engineering and/or scientific services for an inspection or assessment under 

this subpart, in a manner and for a time period as defined in the Guidelines.

(b) An independent consultant team means one or more independent consultant(s) 

and, as needed, additional qualified engineering and scientific professionals who also 

meet the requirements of paragraphs (a)(3) through (5) of this section that collectively 

have demonstrable experience and expertise in dam design, construction, and the 

evaluation and assessment of the safety of existing dams, commensurate with the scale, 

complexity, and relevant technical disciplines of the project and type of review, 

inspection, and assessment being performed (periodic inspection or comprehensive 

assessment, as defined in this section).

(c) Height above streambed means:
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(1) For a dam with a spillway, the vertical distance from the lowest elevation of the 

natural streambed at the downstream toe of the dam to the maximum water storage 

elevation possible without any discharge from the spillway. The maximum water storage 

elevation is:

(i) For gated spillways, the elevation of the tops of the gates;

(ii) For ungated spillways, the elevation of the spillway crest or the top of any 

flashboards, whichever is higher;

(2) For a dam without a spillway, the vertical distance from the lowest elevation of the 

natural streambed at the downstream toe of the dam to the lowest point on the crest of the 

dam.

(d) Gross storage capacity means the maximum possible volume of water impounded 

by a dam with zero spill; that is, without the discharge of water over the dam or a 

spillway.

(e) Periodic inspection means an inspection that meets the requirements of §12.35 and 

is performed by an independent consultant team.

(f)Comprehensive assessment means a project review, inspection, and assessment that 

meets the requirements of §12.37 and is performed by an independent consultant team.

(g) Previous Part 12D Inspection means the most recent inspection performed in 

accordance with the provisions of this subpart (a periodic inspection, comprehensive 

assessment, or an inspection performed in accordance with the rules established by Order 

122).

(h) Previous Part 12D Report means the report on the Previous Part 12D Inspection.

(i) The Director of the Division of Dam Safety and Inspections may, for good cause 

shown, grant a waiver of the 10-year requirement in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Any 

petition for waiver under this paragraph must be filed in accordance with §385.207 of this 

chapter.

§ 12.32 General inspection requirement.

The project works of each development to which this subpart applies, excluding 

transmission and transformation facilities, must be inspected on a periodic basis by an 

independent consultant team to identify any actual or potential deficiencies that might 

endanger life, health, or property, including deficiencies that may be in the condition of 

those project works or in the quality or adequacy of project maintenance, safety, methods 

of operation, analyses, and other conditions described in the Guidelines. A report must be 

prepared by the independent consultant team, by or under the direction of at least one 

independent consultant, who may be a member of a consulting firm, to document the 

findings and evaluations made during their inspection. The inspection must be performed 

by the independent consultant team, and the report must be filed by the licensee, in 

accordance with the procedures in this subpart and as further described in the Guidelines.
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§ 12.33 Exemption.

(a) Upon written request from the licensee, the Director of the Division of Dam Safety 

and Inspections may grant an exemption from the requirements of this subpart in 

extraordinary circumstances that clearly establish good cause for exemption.

(b) Good cause for exemption may include the finding that the development in 

question has no dam, canal, or other water conveyance except those that meet the criteria 

for low hazard potential as defined in §12.3(b)(14).

(c) An exemption from this subpart, granted prior to [INSERT EFFECTIVE DATE 

OF RULE], no longer constitutes an exemption from the requirements of this subpart. A 

licensee must submit a subsequent written request for exemption to the Director of the 

Division of Dam Safety and Inspections, which may be granted at the discretion of the 

Director.

§ 12.34 Approval of independent consultant team.

(a) The licensee must obtain written approval of the independent consultant team, 

from the Director of the Division of Dam Safety and Inspections, prior to the 

performance of a periodic inspection or comprehensive assessment under this subpart.

(b) At least 180 days prior to performing a periodic inspection or comprehensive 

assessment under this subpart, the licensee must submit to the Director of the Division of 

Dam Safety and Inspections, with a copy to the Regional Engineer, a detailed 

independent consultant team proposal. 

(1) If the independent consultant team comprises one person, the detailed independent 

consultant team proposal must:

(i) Describe the experience of the independent consultant; and

(ii) Show that the independent consultant meets the requirements as defined in 

§12.31(a) and §12.31(b)(2).

(2) If the independent consultant team comprises more than one person, the detailed 

independent consultant team proposal must:

(i) Designate one or more persons to serve as the independent consultant(s);

(ii) Show that each independent consultant meets the requirements as defined in 

§12.31(a);

(iii) Describe the experience of each member of the independent consultant team; and

(iv) Show that the independent consultant team meets the requirements as defined in 

§12.31(b)(2).

(c) Regardless of experience and qualifications, any independent consultant team 

member may be disapproved by the Director of the Division of Dam Safety and 

Inspections for good cause, such as having had one or more reports rejected by the 

Commission within the preceding five years.
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 68 -

§ 12.35 Periodic inspection.

A periodic inspection must include:

(a) Review of prior reports. The independent consultant team must review and 

consider all relevant reports on the safety of the development made by or written under 

the direction of Federal or state agencies, submitted under Commission regulations, or 

made by other consultants. The independent consultant team must perform sufficient 

review to have, at the time of the periodic inspection, a full understanding of the design, 

construction, performance, condition, downstream hazard, monitoring, operation, and 

potential failure modes of the project works.

(b) Physical field inspection. The independent consultant team must perform a 

physical field inspection of accessible project features, including galleries, adits, vaults, 

conduits, earthen and concrete-lined spillway chutes, the exterior of water conveyances, 

and other non-submerged project features that may require specialized access to facilitate 

inspection. The inspection shall include review and assessment of all relevant data 

concerning:

(1) Settlement;

(2) Movement;

(3) Erosion;

(4) Seepage;

(5) Leakage;

(6) Cracking;

(7) Deterioration;

(8) Hydraulics;

(9) Hydrology;

(10) Seismicity;

(11) Internal stress and hydrostatic pressures in project structures and their 

foundations and abutments;

(12) The condition and performance of foundation drains, dam body drains, relief 

wells, and other pressure-relief systems;

(13) The condition and performance of any post-tensioned anchors installed, and 

other major modifications completed, to improve the stability of project works;

(14) The stability of critical slopes adjacent to a reservoir or project works; and

(15) Regional and site geological conditions.

(c) Review of surveillance and monitoring plan and data. The independent consultant 

team must: 

(1) Review the surveillance procedures, instrumentation layout, installation details, 

monitoring frequency, performance history, data history and trends, and relevance to 

potential failure modes; and

(2) Review the frequency and scope of other surveillance activities.

(d) Review of dam and public safety programs.
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(1) Hazard potential. Review the potential inundation area and document any 

significant changes in the magnitude and location of the population at risk since the 

previous inspection under this subpart.

(2) Emergency Action Plan. If the project development is subject to Subpart C of this 

part, review the emergency action plan, including the emergency action plan document 

itself, the licensee’s training program, and any related time-sensitivity assessment(s).

(3) Public Safety Program. Review the access restrictions and public safety warning 

signs and devices near the project works pursuant to § 12.52.

(4) Owner’s Dam Safety Program. If the project is subject to subpart F of this part, 

review the implementation of the licensee’s Owners Dam Safety Program with respect to 

the project development being inspected under this subpart.

§ 12.36 Report on a periodic inspection.

(a) Format. The report must include documentation of all the items listed in §12.35 

and conform to the format prescribed by the Guidelines.

(b) Specific evaluation. The report must include specific evaluation of:

(1) The history of performance of the project works through visual observations, 

analysis of data from monitoring instruments, and previous inspections;

(2) The quality and adequacy of maintenance, surveillance, methods of project 

operations, and risk reduction measures for the protection of public safety and continued 

project operation;

(3) Potential failure modes, including:

(i) each identified potential failure mode associated with the project works and whether 

any potential failure mode is active or developing; and

(ii) whether any inspection observations or other conditions indicate that an 

unidentified potential failure mode is active, developing, or is of sufficient concern to 

warrant development through a supplemental potential failure modes analysis;

(4) Whether any observed conditions warrant reconsideration of the current hazard 

potential classification; and

(5) The adequacy of the project’s:

(i) Emergency action plan;

(ii) Public safety program; and

(iii)Implementation of the Owner’s Dam Safety Program with respect to the project 

development being inspected under this subpart.

(c) Changes since the previous inspection. The report must include a status update 

and evaluation of any changes since the Previous Part 12D Inspection concerning:

(1) Hydrology. Identify any events that may affect the conclusions of the hydrologic 

or hydraulic analyses of record and evaluate the effect on the safety and stability of 

project works.

(2) Seismicity. Identify any seismic events that may affect the conclusions of the 

seismicity analyses of record and evaluate the effect on the safety and stability of project 

works.
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(3) Modifications to project works. Identify any modifications made to project works 

and evaluate the performance thereof with respect to the design intent.

(4) Methods of operation. Describe any changes to standard operating procedures, 

equipment available for project operation, and evaluate the effect on the safety and 

stability of project works.

(5) Results of Special Inspections. Summarize the findings of any special inspections 

(dive inspection, rope-access gate inspection, toe drain inspection, etc.), if any.

(6) Previous recommendations. List and document the status of recommendations 

made by the independent consultant in the Previous Part 12D Report, and any earlier 

recommendations that remained incomplete at the time of the Previous Part 12D Report.

(7) Outstanding studies and studies completed since the previous inspection. List and 

document the status of any studies completed since the Previous Part 12D Inspection and 

those that remain outstanding at the time of the periodic inspection.

(d) Recommendations. Based on the independent consultant team's field observations, 

evaluations of the project works, and the maintenance, surveillance, and methods of 

operation of the development, the report must contain the independent consultant's 

recommendations on:

(1) Any corrective measures, described in §12.41, necessary for the structures, 

maintenance or surveillance procedures, or methods of operation of the project works;

(2) A reasonable time to carry out each corrective measure; and

(3) Any new or additional monitoring instruments, periodic observations, special 

inspections, or other methods of monitoring project works or conditions that may be 

required.

(e) Dissenting views. If the inspection and report were conducted and prepared by 

more than one independent consultant, the report must clearly identify and describe any 

dissenting views concerning the evaluations or recommendations of the report that might 

be held by any individual consultant.

(f)List of participants. The report must identify all professional personnel who have 

participated in the inspection of the project or in preparation of the report and the 

independent consultant(s) who directed those activities.

(g) Statement of independence. Each independent consultant responsible for the report 

must declare that all conclusions and recommendations in the report are made 

independently of the licensee, its employees, and its representatives.

(h) Signature. The report must be signed and sealed by each independent consultant 

responsible for the report.

(i) Other information. The report must provide other information listed in the 

Guidelines.

§ 12.37 Comprehensive assessment.

A comprehensive assessment must include:

(a) Review of prior reports and analyses of record. The independent consultant team 

must review and consider all relevant reports on the safety of the development made by 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 71 -

or written under the direction of Federal or state agencies, submitted under Commission 

regulations, or made by other consultants.

(1) In addition to the requirements of §12.35(a)(1), the independent consultant team 

must have a full understanding of the risk, as defined in the Guidelines, associated with 

the project works.

(2) The independent consultant team shall perform a detailed review of the as-built 

drawings; monitoring data; and the methods, assumptions, calculations, results, and 

conclusions of the analyses of record pertaining to:

(i) Geology and seismicity;

(ii) Hydrology and hydraulics;

(iii) Stability and structural integrity of project works; and

(iv) Any other analyses relevant to the safety, stability, and operation of project works.

(b) Physical field inspection. The independent consultant team must perform a 

physical field inspection that complies with §12.35(b).

(c) Review of surveillance and monitoring plan and data. The independent consultant 

team must perform a review of surveillance and monitoring plan and data that complies 

with §12.35(c).

(d) Review of dam and public safety programs. The independent consultant team must 

perform a review of dam and public safety programs that complies with §12.35(d).

(e) Supporting Technical Information Document. The comprehensive assessment shall 

include a review of the Supporting Technical Information Document and evaluation of its 

conformance with the Guidelines.

(f)Potential failure modes analysis. The comprehensive assessment shall include a 

potential failure modes analysis, conducted in accordance with the Guidelines.

(g) Risk Analysis. The comprehensive assessment shall include a risk analysis, 

conducted in accordance with the scope and procedures established in the Guidelines. 

The Regional Engineer may, for good cause shown, grant a waiver of the requirement to 

complete a Risk Analysis. Any petition for waiver under this paragraph must be filed in 

accordance with § 385.207 of this chapter.

§ 12.38 Report on a comprehensive assessment.

(a) Format. The comprehensive assessment report must include documentation of all 

the items listed §12.37 and conform to the format prescribed by the Guidelines.

(b) Specific evaluation. In addition to the items listed in §12.36(b)(1) through 

§12.36(b)(5), the comprehensive assessment report must evaluate:

(1) The adequacy of spillways, including the effects of overtopping of nonoverflow 

structures, as described in §12.39;

(2) The Structural adequacy and stability of structures under all credible loading 

conditions;

(3) The potential for internal erosion and/or piping of embankments, foundations, and 

abutments;
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(4) The design and construction practices used during original construction and 

subsequent modifications, in comparison with the industry best practices in use at the 

time of the inspection under this subpart;

(5) The adequacy of the Supporting Technical Information Document and the attached 

electronic records; and

(6) The adequacy and findings of the potential failure mode analysis and risk analysis 

report(s). 

(c) Analyses of record. The comprehensive assessment report must include the 

independent consultant team’s evaluation of the assumptions, methods, calculations, 

results, and conclusions of the items listed in §12.37(a)(2)(i) through (iv). The evaluation 

must: 

(1) Address the accuracy, relevance, and consistency with the current state of the 

practice of dam engineering;

(2) Be accompanied by sufficient documentation of the independent consultant team’s 

rationale, including, as needed, new calculations by the independent consultant team to 

verify that the assumptions, methods, calculations, results, and conclusions in the 

analyses of record are correct; and

(3) If the independent consultant team is unable to review the analyses of record for 

any of the items listed in §12.37(a)(2)(i) through (iv); or if the independent consultant 

team disagrees with the assumptions, methods, calculations, results, or conclusions 

therein; the independent consultant shall recommend that the licensee complete new 

analyses to address the identified concerns.

(d) Changes since the previous inspection. The requirements of this section are the 

same as described in §12.36(c).

(e) Recommendations. The requirements of this section are the same as described in 

§12.36(d).

(f)Dissenting views. The requirements of this section are the same as described in 

§12.36(e). 

(g) List of participants. The requirements of this section are the same as described in 

§12.36(f).

(h) Statement of independence. The requirements of this section are the same as 

described in §12.36(g).

(i) Signature. The requirements of this section are the same as described in §12.36(h).

(j) Other information. Provide other information listed in the Guidelines.

§ 12.39 Evaluation of spillway adequacy.

The adequacy of any spillway must be evaluated, as part of a comprehensive 

assessment or as otherwise requested by the Regional Engineer, by considering hazard 

potential which would result from failure of the project works during normal and flood 

flows.

(a) If structural failure would present a hazard to human life or cause significant 

property damage, the independent consultant must evaluate:
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(1) The ability of project works to withstand the loading or overtopping which may 

occur during floods;

(2) The capacity of spillways to prevent the reservoir from rising to an elevation that 

would endanger the project works; and

(3) The potential for misoperation of; failure to operate; blockage of; or debilitating 

damage to a spillway and its appurtenances (including but not limited to structural, 

mechanical, and electrical components of gates, valves, chutes, and training walls); and 

the effect thereof on the maximum reservoir level and potential for surcharged loading or 

overtopping to occur during floods.

(b) Spillway adequacy shall be evaluated for the magnitude of flooding required by 

the Guidelines.

(c) If structural failure would not present a hazard to human life or cause significant 

property damage, spillway adequacy may be evaluated by means of a design flood of 

lesser magnitude than the probable maximum flood provided that the most recent 

comprehensive assessment report required by §12.38 provides a detailed explanation of 

and rationale for the finding that structural failure would not present a hazard to human 

life or cause significant property damage.

§ 12.40 Time for inspections and reports.

(a) For any project that was inspected under this subpart prior to January 1, 2021, 

under the Commission’s rules in effect on January 1, 2020:

(1) A periodic inspection or comprehensive assessment must be completed, and the 

report on it filed, within five years of the due date of the Previous Part 12D Report.

(2) The Regional Engineer may require that the first report due to be filed under this 

subpart after January 1, 2021 be a report on a comprehensive assessment.

(3) The first comprehensive assessment under this subpart must be completed, and the 

report on it filed, by December 31, 2034.

(b) For any project that was not inspected under this subpart prior to January 1, 2021,

under the Commission’s rules in effect on January 1, 2020:

(1) For any development that meets the criteria specified in §12.30(a)(1) or 

§12.30(a)(2), and was constructed before the date of issuance of the order licensing that 

development, or amending a license to include that development, the first comprehensive 

assessment under this subpart must be completed, and the report on it filed, not later than 

two years after the date of issuance of the order licensing that development or amending 

the license to include that development.

(2) For any development that was constructed after the date of issuance of the order 

licensing that development, or amending a license to include that development, the first 

comprehensive assessment under this subpart must be completed, and the report on it 

filed, not later than five years after the date of issuance of the order licensing that 

development or amending the license to include that development.

(3) For any development not set forth in either subparagraph (b)(1) or (b)(2), the first 

comprehensive assessment under this subpart must be completed, and the report on it 
Docket No. RM20-9-000 - 74 -

filed, by a date specified by the Regional Engineer. The filing date must not be more than 

two years after the date of notification that a comprehensive assessment and report under 

this subpart are required.

(c) Timing for subsequent reports filed under this subpart.

(1) A comprehensive assessment must be completed, and the report on it filed, within 

ten years of the date the previous comprehensive assessment report was due to be filed.

(2) A periodic inspection must be completed, and the report on it filed, within five 

years of the date the previous comprehensive assessment report was due to be filed.

(d) Extension of time. For good cause shown, the Regional Engineer may extend the 

time for filing the report on a comprehensive assessment or periodic inspection under this 

subpart.

(e) The Regional Engineer may require that any report due to be filed under this 

subpart be a report on a comprehensive assessment or a report on a periodic inspection, 

notwithstanding the type of review (periodic inspection or comprehensive assessment) 

scheduled to be performed under subparagraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section.

(f)Prior to performing a periodic inspection or comprehensive assessment, a 

preliminary report prepared by the independent consultant team must be filed with the 

Regional Engineer to document the initial findings, understanding, and preparation of the 

independent consultant team.

(1) For any periodic inspection, the preliminary report must be filed in advance of the 

physical field inspection, in accordance with the timing and procedures established in the 

Guidelines.

(2) For any comprehensive assessment, the preliminary report must be filed in 

advance of the physical field inspection, potential failure modes analysis, or risk analysis, 

whichever occurs first, in accordance with the timing and procedures established in the 

Guidelines.

(3) If the Regional Engineer determines that the preliminary report does not clearly 

demonstrate that the independent consultant team is adequately prepared for the 

inspection, the Regional Engineer may require the inspection to be postponed. Any such 

postponement shall not constitute good cause for an extension of time under paragraph 

(d) of this section.

§ 12.41 Corrective measures.

(a) Corrective measures. For items that are identified, during a periodic inspection or 

comprehensive assessment under this subpart, as requiring corrective action, the 

following conditions apply: 

(1) Corrective plan and schedule.

(i) Not later than 60 days after a report on a periodic inspection or comprehensive 

assessment is filed with the Regional Engineer, the licensee must submit to the Regional 

Engineer a plan and schedule addressing the recommendations of the independent 

consultant and for investigating, designing, and carrying out any corrective measures that 

the licensee proposes to implement.
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(ii) The plan and schedule may include any proposal, including taking no action, that 

the licensee considers a preferable alternative to any corrective measure recommended in 

the report of the independent consultant. Any proposed alternative must be accompanied 

by the licensee’s complete justification and detailed analysis and evaluation in support of 

that alternative.

(2) Carrying out the plan. The licensee must complete all corrective measures in 

accordance with the plan and schedule submitted to, and approved or modified by, the 

Regional Engineer, and on an annual basis must submit a status report on the corrective 

measures until all have been completed.

(3) Extension of time. For good cause shown, the Regional Engineer may extend the 

time for filing the plan and schedule required by this section.

(b) Emergency corrective measures. If, in the course of a periodic inspection or 

comprehensive assessment conducted under this subpart, an independent consultant 

discovers any condition for which emergency corrective measures are advisable, the 

independent consultant must immediately notify the licensee and the licensee must report 

that condition to the Regional Engineer pursuant to §12.10(a) of this part. Emergency 

corrective measures must be included in the corrective plan and schedule required by 

paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and are also subject to paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this 

section.

Subpart E—Other Responsibilities of Applicant or Licensee 

10. Redesignate § § 12.40 through 12.44 as § § 12.50 through 12.54, respectively. 

11. Add and reserve § § 12.55 through 12.59.

12. Revise § 12.52 to read as follows: 

§ 12.52 Warning and safety devices. 

(a) To the satisfaction of, and within a time specified by the Regional Engineer, an 

applicant or licensee must install, operate, and maintain any signs, lights, sirens, barriers, 

or other safety devices that may reasonably be necessary or desirable to warn the public 

of fluctuations in flow from the project or otherwise to protect the public in the use of 

project lands and waters.

(b) The Regional Engineer may require the applicant or licensee to prepare, 

periodically update, and file with the Commission a public safety plan that formalizes the 

installation, operation, and maintenance of all necessary public safety devices. Public 

safety plans must be developed in accordance with the Guidelines for Public Safety at 

Hydropower Projects established, and from time to time revised, by the Director of the 

Division of Dam Safety and Inspections. 

§ 12.54 [Amended] 

13. Amend § 12.54 as follows: 
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a. In § 12.54(b)(2), remove “the periodic” and add, in its place, “an”; 

b. In § 12.54(b)(2), add “gate” directly following the second appearance of the word 

“spillway”; and 

c. In § 12.54(c)(2), remove “the periodic” and add, in its place, “an”. 

14. Add subpart F, consisting of § § 12.60 through 12.65, to read as follows: 

Subpart F—Owner’s Dam Safety Program

Sec.

12.60 Applicability. 

12.61 Definitions. 

12.62 General requirements. 

12.63 Contents of Owner’s Dam Safety Program. 

12.64 Annual review and update of Owner’s Dam Safety Program.

12.65 Independent external audit and peer review.

§ 12.60 Applicability.

The licensee of any dam or other project feature classified as having a high or significant 

hazard potential, as defined in §12.3(b)(14), is required to submit an Owner’s Dam Safety 

Program to the Regional Engineer.

§ 12.61 Definitions.

For purposes of this subpart:

(a) Chief Dam Safety Engineer means the designated individual, who is a licensed 

engineer, who oversees the implementation of the Owner’s Dam Safety Program and has 

primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of the licensee’s dam(s) and other project 

features.

(b) Chief Dam Safety Coordinator means the designated individual, who is not 

required to be a licensed engineer, who oversees the implementation of the Owner’s Dam 

Safety Program and has primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of the licensee’s 

dam(s) and other project features.

§ 12.62 General requirements.

(a) The Owner’s Dam Safety Program shall designate either a Chief Dam Safety 

Engineer or Chief Dam Safety Coordinator, as defined in §12.61. Any Owner’s Dam 

Safety Program that includes one or more dams or other project features classified as 

having a high hazard potential, as defined in §12.3(b)(14), shall designate a Chief Dam 

Safety Engineer.

(b) The Owner’s Dam Safety Program must be signed by the Owner and, as 

applicable, the Chief Dam Safety Engineer or the Chief Dam Safety Coordinator.
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(c) The Owner’s Dam Safety Program must be reviewed and updated on a periodic 

basis as described in § 12.64 and, if applicable, must undergo an independent external 

audit or peer review as described in § 12.65.

(d) The Owner may delegate to others, such as consultants, the work of establishing 

and executing the Owner’s Dam Safety Program and role of Chief Dam Safety Engineer 

or Chief Dam Safety Coordinator, as applicable.

(1) If the role of Chief Dam Safety Engineer or Chief Dam Safety Coordinator is

delegated to an outside party who does not oversee the day-to-day implementation of the 

Owner’s Dam Safety Program, the Owner must designate an individual responsible for 

overseeing the day-to-day implementation.

(2) The Owner shall retain ultimate responsibility for the safety of the dams and other 

project features covered by the Owner’s Dam Safety Program.

§ 12.63 Contents of Owner’s Dam Safety Program.

The Owner’s Dam Safety Program shall contain, at a minimum, the following 

sections:

(a) Dam safety policy, objectives, and expectations; 

(b) Responsibilities for dam safety;

(c) Dam safety training program;

(d) Communication, coordination, reporting, and reports;

(e) Record keeping and databases;

(f) Continuous improvement; and

(g) Other information as further described by the Guidelines.

§ 12.64 Annual review and update of Owner’s Dam Safety Program.

The Owner’s Dam Safety Program, and the implementation thereof, shall be reviewed 

at least once annually by the licensee’s dam safety staff and discussed with senior 

management of the Owner’s organization. The licensee shall submit the results of the 

annual review, including findings, analysis, corrective measures, and/or revisions to the 

Owner’s Dam Safety Program, to the Regional Engineer.

§ 12.65 Independent external audit and peer review.

(a) Applicability. For licensees of one or more dams or other project features 

classified as having a high hazard potential, as defined in in §12.3(b)(14), an independent 

external audit or peer review of the Owner’s Dam Safety Program, and the 

implementation thereof, shall be performed at an interval not to exceed five years.

(b) Qualifications. A statement of qualifications of the proposed auditor(s) or peer 

review team shall be submitted to the Regional Engineer for review, and written 

acceptance thereof must be obtained from the Regional Engineer prior to performing the 

audit or peer review.
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(c) Reporting. 

(1) The auditor(s) or peer review team shall document their findings in a report.

(2) The report on the audit or peer review shall be reviewed by the Owner, Chief Dam 

Safety Engineer or Chief Dam Safety Coordinator, and management having 

responsibility in the area(s) audited or reviewed.

(3) The report on the audit or peer review shall be submitted to the Regional Engineer.

(d) Additional guidance for performing external audits and peer reviews shall be 

provided in the Guidelines.