Source: https://openei.org/wiki/RAPID/Roadmap/7-FD-g
Timestamp: 2019-01-23 15:51:58
Document Index: 682514036

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 4', '§ 380', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 380', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4']

A small conduit hydroelectric facility of up to 40 MW that uses a man-made conduit operated primarily for non-hydroelectric purposes may be eligible for a conduit exemption. The term “conduit” means any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance that is operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity. The project can be located on federal lands; however, if the project is located on non-federal lands then the developer must have all the real property interests necessary to develop and operate the project or an option to obtain the interests. 18 CFR § 4.31(b). The conduit on which the project is located is not included as a project work. Applications for exemptions of small hydroelectric conduits are categorically excluded from the requirement for preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 18 CFR § 380.4(a)(14). However, this does not mean that FERC cannot require the preparation of an EA or EIS.
Would utilize for the generation of electricity a natural water feature, such as a natural lake, waterfall, or the gradient of a natural stream, without the need for a dam or man-made impoundment; and would not retain water behind any structure for the purpose of a storage and release operation.” 18 CFR § 4.30(29).
(16 USC 2705 as amended by the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013).
The developer must promptly contact each of the appropriate resource agencies, affected Indian tribes, and members of the public likely to be interested in the proceeding. The developer must provide them with a description of the proposed project and supporting information, and confer with them on project design, the impact of the proposed project, reasonable hydropower alternatives, and what studies the developer should conduct. 18 CFR § 4.38(b)(2).
Developers must notify each fish and wildlife agency consulted that it will seek an exemption from licensing. 18 CFR § 4.301(a)(2).
18 CFR § 380.4(b)(2). FERC-NEPA Process:
Any statement required by 18 CFR § 4.301(a).
18 CFR § 4.38(b)(2).
18 CFR § 4.38(g)(2)(i).
18 CFR § 4.38.
18 CFR § 4.38(b)(5).
If the developer and a resource agency or Indian tribe disagree as to any matter arising during the first stage of consultation or as to the need to conduct a study, then the dispute may be referred to FERC for resolution. 18 CFR § 4.38(b)(6).
The entity referring the dispute to FERC must serve a copy of its written request for resolution on the disagreeing party and any affected resource agency or Indian tribe, which may submit a written response to the referral within 15 days of the referral’s submission. 18 CFR § 4.38(b)(6)(ii).
FERC will resolve the disputes by letter provided to the developer and all affected resource agencies and Indian tribes. 18 CFR § 4.38(b)(6)(iv).
If a participant requests an additional study, then the developer must promptly initiate the study unless the study is unreasonable or unnecessary for an informed decision by FERC on the merits of the application or use of the methodology requested by a resource agency or Indian tribe for conducting the study is not a generally accepted practice. 18 CFR § 4.38(c)(2).
Resource agencies and Indian tribes have 90 days from the date the developer provides the copy of the draft application to comment on the application. 18 CFR 4.38(c)(5).
The developer will be required to participate in further review if the written comments provided in response to the draft application indicate that a resource agency or Indian tribe has a substantive disagreement with the developer’s conclusions regarding resource impacts or its proposed protection, mitigation, or enhancement measures. 18 CFR 4.38(c)(6).
The developer must hold a joint meeting with the disagreeing resource agency or Indian tribe and other agencies with similar or related areas of interest, expertise, or responsibility no later than 60 days from the date of the written comments of the disagreeing agency or Indian tribe. The meeting will allow all parties to discuss and to attempt to reach agreement on any plan for environmental protection, mitigation, or enhancement measures. 18 CFR 4.38(c)(6)(i). The developer must provide written notice of the meeting to FERC at least 15 days prior to the meeting. The notice must indicate the time, place, and agenda of the issues to be discussed at the meeting. 18 CFR 4.38(c)(6)(iii).
The developer and any disagreeing agency or Indian tribe may conclude a joint meeting with a document embodying any agreement among them regarding environmental protection, mitigation, or enhancement measures and any issues that are unresolved. 18 CFR 4.38(c)(7).
The developer seeking an exemption must file an application with FERC for a FERC license, accompanied by a transmittal letter certifying that at the same time copies of the application are being mailed to the resource agencies, Indian tribes, other government offices, and consulted members of the public. 18 CFR 4.38(d)(1). A developer may submit an application for a FERC License if:
18 CFR § 4.92; 18 CFR 4.302.
Appendix containing evidence that the developer has the necessary real property interests in any nonfederal lands 18 CFR § 4.107;
FERC must provide notice of the application for an exemption to interested agencies and Indian tribes when the application is accepted for filing. 18 CFR § 4.93(b) or 18 CFR § 4.105(b)(1).
Resource agencies, Indian tribes, and the public will have 90 days from the date the developer submits the application to comment. 18 CFR § 4.38(c)(5).
Any exemption granted by FERC for a small conduit hydroelectric facility is subject to standard terms and conditions outlined in 18 CFR § 4.94(a)-(g). Such terms and conditions include, for example:
The exemption does not confer any right to use or occupy any federal lands that may be necessary for the development or operation of the project. 18 CFR § 4.94(d).
FERC may require that the exempt facilities be modified in structure or operation or may revoke the exemption in order to best develop, conserve, and utilize in the public interest the water resources of the region. 18 CFR § 4.94(e).
FERC may revoke the exemption if, in the application process, material discrepancies, inaccuracies, or falsehoods were made by or on behalf of the developer. 18 CFR § 4.94(f).
Similar terms and conditions are attached to exemptions for 10MW or less hydroelectric facilities under 18 CFR § 4.106.
18 CFR § 4.93(c) or or 18 CFR § 4.105(b)(2).
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This page was last modified on 16 March 2017, at 09:45.