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Sept 18, 2008 Sept 18, 2008 CVEN 4838/5838 CVEN 4838/5838 Slide # Slide #1 Lecture 8 Lecture 8 Regulatory Processes Regulatory Processes

Lecture 8 Regulatory Processes

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Lecture 8 Regulatory Processes. Primary Regulations that affect construction, modification and operation of Dams, Reservoirs and Hydropower Plants. National Environmental Protectioin Act (NEPA) Clean Water Act Endangered Species Act - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Lecture 8 Regulatory Processes

Sept 18, 2008Sept 18, 2008 CVEN 4838/5838 CVEN 4838/5838 Slide #Slide #11

Lecture 8Lecture 8

Regulatory ProcessesRegulatory Processes

Page 2: Lecture 8 Regulatory Processes

Sept 18, 2008Sept 18, 2008 CVEN 4838/5838 CVEN 4838/5838 Slide #Slide #22

Primary Regulations that affect construction, Primary Regulations that affect construction, modification and operation of Dams, modification and operation of Dams, Reservoirs and Hydropower PlantsReservoirs and Hydropower Plants

National Environmental Protectioin Act (NEPA)National Environmental Protectioin Act (NEPA) Clean Water ActClean Water Act Endangered Species ActEndangered Species Act Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

licensing of hydropower plants.licensing of hydropower plants.

Page 3: Lecture 8 Regulatory Processes

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National Environmental Policy National Environmental Policy Act of 1969Act of 1969

WHY…WHY…NEPA is a statement of a national policy that values the “overall welfare and development of man” NEPA is a statement of a national policy that values the “overall welfare and development of man”

and endeavors to “… foster and promote the general welfare and create and maintain and endeavors to “… foster and promote the general welfare and create and maintain conditions in which man and nature can exist in productive harmony”. conditions in which man and nature can exist in productive harmony”.

WHAT…WHAT…

NEPANEPA requires the federal government, in cooperation with state and local governments and other requires the federal government, in cooperation with state and local governments and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all practical means and measures to create concerned public and private organizations, to use all practical means and measures to create

and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony and and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of

Americans. It establishes the protection of the environment as a national priority and Americans. It establishes the protection of the environment as a national priority and mandates the consideration of environmental impacts before the Federal government mandates the consideration of environmental impacts before the Federal government undertakes—or supplies funding to—any action that is likely to significantly affect the undertakes—or supplies funding to—any action that is likely to significantly affect the

environment. The Act also requires agencies to consider a wide range of alternatives to environment. The Act also requires agencies to consider a wide range of alternatives to actions with significant impacts and to allow for broad participation in decisionmaking. actions with significant impacts and to allow for broad participation in decisionmaking.

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National Environmental Policy ActNational Environmental Policy Act

HOW …HOW …NEPA requires Federal agencies to "utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach which will NEPA requires Federal agencies to "utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach which will

insure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences and the environmental design insure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences and the environmental design arts in planning and in decisionmaking" (Bartlett 1997). Through the requirement of a arts in planning and in decisionmaking" (Bartlett 1997). Through the requirement of a "detailed statement" [an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)] that includes the "detailed statement" [an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)] that includes the consideration of all potential significant environmental impacts of a proposed action, NEPA consideration of all potential significant environmental impacts of a proposed action, NEPA establishes an umbrella process for coordinating compliance with myriad environmental, establishes an umbrella process for coordinating compliance with myriad environmental, historic preservation, and civil rights laws. historic preservation, and civil rights laws.

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When is a NEPA process required?When is a NEPA process required?For any project that …For any project that …

has Federal jurisdiction and associated permitshas Federal jurisdiction and associated permits has Federal funding in whole or in parthas Federal funding in whole or in part is on Federal land or affecting Federal facilitiesis on Federal land or affecting Federal facilities Is an ongoing (Federal-related) activity with negative effects on land or facilitiesIs an ongoing (Federal-related) activity with negative effects on land or facilities involves new or revised Federal rules, regulations, plans or proceduresinvolves new or revised Federal rules, regulations, plans or procedures

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When is a NEPA process required?When is a NEPA process required?For Dam related issues (from Reclamation) …For Dam related issues (from Reclamation) …

1.1. Feasibility Studies for new water resources projects; Plans (“definite plan reports” Feasibility Studies for new water resources projects; Plans (“definite plan reports” for new projects if the EIS was not done at the feasibility stage or if there have for new projects if the EIS was not done at the feasibility stage or if there have been major changes in the project plan which may cause significantly different or been major changes in the project plan which may cause significantly different or additional new impacts.additional new impacts.

2.2. Proposed repayment contracts and water service contracts or amendments Proposed repayment contracts and water service contracts or amendments thereof or supplements thereto, for irrigation, municipal, domestic, or industrial thereof or supplements thereto, for irrigation, municipal, domestic, or industrial water where NEPA compliance has not already been accomplished.water where NEPA compliance has not already been accomplished.

3.3. Proposed modifications to existing projects or proposed changes in the Proposed modifications to existing projects or proposed changes in the programmed operation of an existing project that may cause a significant new programmed operation of an existing project that may cause a significant new impact.impact.

4.4. Proposed initiation of construction of a project or major unit thereof, if not already Proposed initiation of construction of a project or major unit thereof, if not already covered by an EIS, or if significant new impacts are anticipated.covered by an EIS, or if significant new impacts are anticipated.

5.5. Proposed major research projects where there may be significant impacts Proposed major research projects where there may be significant impacts resulting from experimentation or other such research activities.resulting from experimentation or other such research activities.

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At the onset of any of the above, the Federal At the onset of any of the above, the Federal Decision-maker has to answer this key question:Decision-maker has to answer this key question:

Might this proposed action be “a major Federal Might this proposed action be “a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the action significantly affecting the quality of the

human environment?”human environment?”

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NEPA Analysis and DocumentationNEPA Analysis and Documentation : :

To answer the question, the agency chooses To answer the question, the agency chooses one of 3 possible methods of response:one of 3 possible methods of response:

1.1. prepare an EA (prepare an EA (Environmental AssessmentEnvironmental Assessment) that could result in a ) that could result in a FONSI (Findings of no Significant Impact), or, if significant impact FONSI (Findings of no Significant Impact), or, if significant impact is identified, would be followed by an EIS.is identified, would be followed by an EIS.

2.2. prepare an EIS (prepare an EIS (Environmental Impact StatementEnvironmental Impact Statement) that results in a ) that results in a ROD (Record of Decision)ROD (Record of Decision)

3.3. document a document a Categorical ExclusionCategorical Exclusion (CE) (CE)

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Environmental AssessmentsEnvironmental Assessments

The primary purpose of an EA is to determine whether or The primary purpose of an EA is to determine whether or not a proposed action could have significant impacts, thus not a proposed action could have significant impacts, thus requiring an EIS.requiring an EIS.

Preparation of an EA should follow the same evaluation Preparation of an EA should follow the same evaluation thought process as for an EIS.thought process as for an EIS.

Including mitigation measures as part of the proposed Including mitigation measures as part of the proposed action can reduce impacts below the agency determination action can reduce impacts below the agency determination of significance.of significance.

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Environmental Impact StatementEnvironmental Impact StatementCriteria for doing EIS:Criteria for doing EIS:

Most agencies in their NEPA procedures have a list of actions that Most agencies in their NEPA procedures have a list of actions that merit an EIS. Such actions mean the agency initiates the EIS merit an EIS. Such actions mean the agency initiates the EIS process as soon as a proposal is detailed enough to make NEPA process as soon as a proposal is detailed enough to make NEPA analysisanalysis

Questions occur, however, when an action does not clearly have Questions occur, however, when an action does not clearly have significant impacts. Agency decision makers must decide if they are significant impacts. Agency decision makers must decide if they are likely. This decision is essentially a risk management problem.likely. This decision is essentially a risk management problem.

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EIS ProcessEIS Process Notice of intentNotice of intent in F in Federal Registerederal Register that the agency intends to prepare an EIS that the agency intends to prepare an EIS

ScopingScoping, both internal and external, including appropriate public involvement. , both internal and external, including appropriate public involvement. Scoping begins early and continues until the final EIS is published. Initial scoping Scoping begins early and continues until the final EIS is published. Initial scoping gathers concerns and issues from public and other agencies. gathers concerns and issues from public and other agencies.

Study alternativesStudy alternatives: external input is considered in the formulation of the alternatives. : external input is considered in the formulation of the alternatives. The alternatives are defined and the studies carried out to determine the effects of The alternatives are defined and the studies carried out to determine the effects of the alternatives. Note: there are no regulations about what must be considered in the the alternatives. Note: there are no regulations about what must be considered in the alternatives or analysis.alternatives or analysis.

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The Draft EIS is published that includes The Draft EIS is published that includes alternatives. There is a mandated 45-day alternatives. There is a mandated 45-day comment period. Often the comment period comment period. Often the comment period extends to 60 or 90 daysextends to 60 or 90 days

A Final EIS that addresses all substantive A Final EIS that addresses all substantive comments and makes changes to the Draft EIS. comments and makes changes to the Draft EIS. Most agencies allow at least 30 days for the public Most agencies allow at least 30 days for the public to comment on the Final EIS before signing the to comment on the Final EIS before signing the record of decisionrecord of decision

A Record of Decision that addresses all comments A Record of Decision that addresses all comments and responses from other agencies and the and responses from other agencies and the public. The ROD also must identify the public. The ROD also must identify the environmentally preferable alternative and discuss environmentally preferable alternative and discuss why it is or is notwhy it is or is not chosen for implementationchosen for implementation

EIS Process (cont’d)EIS Process (cont’d)

Grande Dixence Dam, Switzerland

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Page 14: Lecture 8 Regulatory Processes

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R.V Bartlett

“The Rationality and Logic of NEPA revisited” p.53

CRC Press 1997

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Clean Water Act, Sec 404 Clean Water Act, Sec 404 In In 1972, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act established a 1972, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act established a

program to program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill materialregulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into into waters of the United States.waters of the United States.

The program is jointly The program is jointly administered by the U.S. Army Corps of administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection AgencyEngineers and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Corps . The Corps is responsible for the day-to-day administration and permit is responsible for the day-to-day administration and permit review and EPA provides program oversight. review and EPA provides program oversight.

The fundamental rationale of the program is that no discharge of The fundamental rationale of the program is that no discharge of dredged or fill material should be permitted if there is a dredged or fill material should be permitted if there is a practicable alternativepracticable alternative that would be less damaging to our that would be less damaging to our aquatic resources or if aquatic resources or if significant degradationsignificant degradation would occur to would occur to the nation’s waters. the nation’s waters.

Permit review and issuancePermit review and issuance follows a sequence process that follows a sequence process that encourages encourages avoidance of impactsavoidance of impacts, followed by , followed by minimizing minimizing impactsimpacts and, finally, and, finally, requiring mitigationrequiring mitigation for unavoidable impacts for unavoidable impacts to the aquatic environment. This sequence is described in the to the aquatic environment. This sequence is described in the guidelines at Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act.guidelines at Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act.

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Endangered Species Act (1973)Endangered Species Act (1973) Program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and Program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and

animals and the habitats in which they are found. animals and the habitats in which they are found.

Why? (as written by the The House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Why? (as written by the The House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee) Committee) "As we homogenize the habitats in which these plants and animals evolved, "As we homogenize the habitats in which these plants and animals evolved, and as we increase the pressure for products that they are in a position to and as we increase the pressure for products that they are in a position to supply (usually unwillingly) we threaten their - and our own - genetic heritage. supply (usually unwillingly) we threaten their - and our own - genetic heritage. The value of this genetic heritage is, quite literally, incalculable. From the most The value of this genetic heritage is, quite literally, incalculable. From the most narrow possible point of view, it is in the best interests of mankind to minimize narrow possible point of view, it is in the best interests of mankind to minimize the losses of genetic variations. The reason is simple: they are potential the losses of genetic variations. The reason is simple: they are potential resources. They are keys to puzzles which we cannot solve, and may provide resources. They are keys to puzzles which we cannot solve, and may provide answers to questions which we have not yet learned to ask." answers to questions which we have not yet learned to ask."

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Endangered Species Act (1973)Endangered Species Act (1973)

An “endangered” species is one that is in danger An “endangered” species is one that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A “threatened” species is one that is of its range. A “threatened” species is one that is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. future.

Section 7 states that federal agencies: "must Section 7 states that federal agencies: "must insure that all actions authorized, funded or insure that all actions authorized, funded or carried out are not likely to jeopardize the carried out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of an endangered or continued existence of an endangered or threatened species or adversely modify threatened species or adversely modify habitat critical to it."habitat critical to it."

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FERC Relicensing FERC Relicensing Under the Federal Power Act (FPA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Under the Federal Power Act (FPA), the Federal Energy Regulatory

Commission (FERC) has exclusive authority to license the construction, Commission (FERC) has exclusive authority to license the construction, operation and maintenance of nonfederal hydropower. operation and maintenance of nonfederal hydropower.

Original licenses are typically issued for a 50-year license term. A Original licenses are typically issued for a 50-year license term. A “relicense”—is typically issued for a period of 30-40 years, depending on the “relicense”—is typically issued for a period of 30-40 years, depending on the extent of proposed new development or environmental mitigation and extent of proposed new development or environmental mitigation and enhancement measures proposed by the licensee. The length of the license enhancement measures proposed by the licensee. The length of the license term is typically long enough for the owner to recover its economic term is typically long enough for the owner to recover its economic investment..investment..

There are about 2,500 non-federal hydropower projects subject to relicensing There are about 2,500 non-federal hydropower projects subject to relicensing in the United States today with an aggregate generating capacity of 53 million in the United States today with an aggregate generating capacity of 53 million kilowatts. kilowatts.

Between the years 2000 and 2010, the licenses of approximately 220 Between the years 2000 and 2010, the licenses of approximately 220 hydropower projects representing nearly one third of the hydropower capacity hydropower projects representing nearly one third of the hydropower capacity licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will expire. licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will expire. As a result, much attention is being given to the relicensing process.As a result, much attention is being given to the relicensing process.

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FERC Relicensing FERC Relicensing

Relicensing involves Relicensing involves evaluating the project’s benefits and its evaluating the project’s benefits and its environmental and social effectsenvironmental and social effects. .

During the relicensing process, potential project and community During the relicensing process, potential project and community benefits can be identified and assessed. Such potential benefits benefits can be identified and assessed. Such potential benefits can include continued production of renewable energy, new can include continued production of renewable energy, new generation, if feasible, flood control and water regulation, and generation, if feasible, flood control and water regulation, and the protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife, recreation, the protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife, recreation, water quality, and cultural and aesthetic resources at the project.water quality, and cultural and aesthetic resources at the project.

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FERC Relicensing – who is involved?FERC Relicensing – who is involved?

1.1. Licensee - owner of power plantLicensee - owner of power plant

2.2. FERCFERC

3.3. Resource Agencies – Federal or state agencies that Resource Agencies – Federal or state agencies that have an interest (e.g., FWS, FS, BLM, NPS, BIA, have an interest (e.g., FWS, FS, BLM, NPS, BIA, BuRec, USACE, EPA, state regulatory agencies)BuRec, USACE, EPA, state regulatory agencies)

4.4. Stakeholders – NGOs and the public (environmental Stakeholders – NGOs and the public (environmental groups, property owners, recreational groups or groups, property owners, recreational groups or companies, etc.)companies, etc.)

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FERC Relicensing – FERC’s roleFERC Relicensing – FERC’s role

provide public notice of the relicensing processprovide public notice of the relicensing process

manage that process and conduct an independent analysis of the manage that process and conduct an independent analysis of the licensee’s proposal to determine whether to issue a “new” license and to licensee’s proposal to determine whether to issue a “new” license and to establish the conditions that should be included in any such license. establish the conditions that should be included in any such license.

FERC must—in making its licensing decision—be satisfied that the project FERC must—in making its licensing decision—be satisfied that the project is “in the public interest” and is adapted as well as possible to a is “in the public interest” and is adapted as well as possible to a comprehensive plan for developing the waterway. comprehensive plan for developing the waterway.

responsible for conducting a NEPA analysisresponsible for conducting a NEPA analysis

forward their recommendation to the FERC Commissioners for their forward their recommendation to the FERC Commissioners for their decision.decision.

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FERC Relicensing – 3 stage processFERC Relicensing – 3 stage process

1.1. Licensee files NOI, holds agency and public meetings, gets Licensee files NOI, holds agency and public meetings, gets comments and Agreement on Study Plans.comments and Agreement on Study Plans.

2.2. Licensee conducts studies, prepares reports, holds meetings, Licensee conducts studies, prepares reports, holds meetings, issues draft application and gets comments and issues final issues draft application and gets comments and issues final application.application.

3.3. FERC reviews reports, conducts further analysis and NEPA FERC reviews reports, conducts further analysis and NEPA process, gets comments, addresses comments, makes process, gets comments, addresses comments, makes recommendation.recommendation.

(New, alternate process allows EIS and other analysis to be (New, alternate process allows EIS and other analysis to be contracted to Engineering Firms by Licensee)contracted to Engineering Firms by Licensee)

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Concluding ObservationsConcluding Observations1.1. NEPA structures environmental analysis and consideration of NEPA structures environmental analysis and consideration of

alternatives but does not provide guidance as to objectives, alternatives but does not provide guidance as to objectives, nor does it preclude selection of alternatives that are not the nor does it preclude selection of alternatives that are not the “best” for the environment.“best” for the environment.

2.2. FERC relicensing is a long, involved process. It is particularly FERC relicensing is a long, involved process. It is particularly challenging in view of the need of hydro plants to reduce cost challenging in view of the need of hydro plants to reduce cost to consumers and become more competitive in the power to consumers and become more competitive in the power market.market.

3.3. The Endangered Species Act is clear and direct. It cannot be The Endangered Species Act is clear and direct. It cannot be violated and is the basis for much litigation against water and violated and is the basis for much litigation against water and power projects on the part of environmental organizations.power projects on the part of environmental organizations.