[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54585-54586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23602]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. AD19-4-000]


Panel Member List for Hydropower Licensing Study Dispute 
Resolution; Notice Requesting Applications for Panel Members for 
Hydropower Licensing Study Dispute Resolution

    This notice requests applications from those interested in being 
listed as potential panel members to assist in the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission's (Commission) study dispute resolution process 
for the integrated licensing process (ILP) of hydropower projects.

Background

    The Commission's ILP regulations pertaining to hydroelectric 
licensing under the Federal Power Act encourages informal resolution of 
study disagreements. In cases where this is not successful, a formal 
study dispute resolution process is available for state and federal 
agencies or Indian tribes with mandatory conditioning authority.\1\
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    \1\ See 5.14 of the final rule at https://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/indus-act/order-2002.asp.
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    The ILP provides that the disputed study must be submitted to a 
dispute resolution panel consisting of a person from Commission staff, 
a person from the agency or Indian tribe referring the dispute to the 
Commission, and a third person selected by the other two panelists from 
a pre-established list of persons with expertise in the disputed 
resource area.\2\ The third panel member (TPM) will serve without 
compensation, except for certain allowable travel expenses to be borne 
by the Commission (41 CFR part 301).
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    \2\ These persons must not be otherwise involved with the 
proceeding.
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    The role of the panel members is to make a finding, with respect to 
each disputed study request, on the extent to which each study criteria 
set forth in the regulations is or is not met,\3\ and why. The panel 
will then make a recommendation to the Director of the Office of Energy 
Projects based on the panel's findings.
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    \3\ See 5.9 of the final rule.

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[[Page 54586]]

    TPMs can only be selected from a list of qualified persons (TPM 
list) that is developed and maintained by the Commission. This notice 
seeks additional members for the TPM list, which was originally 
compiled in 2004, 2010, and 2015. Current members of the TPM list do 
not need to reapply, but are encouraged to update their qualifications 
and contact information, if not current. Each qualified panel member 
will be listed by area(s) and sub-area(s) of technical expertise, for 
example Aquatic Resources--instream flows. The TPM list and 
qualifications will be available to the public on the Commission's 
website. All individuals submitting their applications to the 
Commission for consideration must meet the Commission's qualifications.

Application Contents

    The applicant should describe in detail his/her qualifications in 
items 1-4 listed below.
    1. Technical expertise, including education and experience in each 
resource area and sub-area for which the applicant wishes to be 
considered:
 Aquatic Resources
    [cir] water quality
    [cir] instream flows
    [cir] fish passage
    [cir] macroinvertebrates
    [cir] threatened and endangered species
 Terrestrial Resources
    [cir] wildlife biology
    [cir] botany
    [cir] wetlands ecology
    [cir] threatened and endangered species
 Cultural Resources
 Recreational Resources
    [cir] recreational flows
 Land use and Aesthetics
    [cir] shoreline management
 Geology & Soils
    [cir] geomorphology
    [cir] erosion
 Socio-economics
 Engineering
    [cir] civil engineering
    [cir] hydraulic engineering
    [cir] environmental engineering

    2. Knowledge of the effects of construction and operation of 
hydroelectric projects.
    3. Working knowledge of laws relevant to the expertise, such as: 
The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Endangered Species Act, the 
Clean Water Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Wild and Scenic 
Rivers Act, the Federal Power Act, or other applicable laws.
    4. Ability to promote constructive communication about a disputed 
study.

How To Submit Applications

    Applicants must submit their applications along with the names and 
contact information of three references. Applications will be evaluated 
as they are received, and each applicant will be individually notified 
of the Commission's decision.
    Date: Applications are requested by January 31, 2019. However, the 
application period will remain open indefinitely to maintain a current 
listing of potential applicants.
    Address: Applications must be filed electronically. See the 
instructions on the Commission's website (https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp). Applications should reference ``Docket No. AD19-4-
000, Notice Requesting Applications for Panel Member List for 
Hydropower Licensing Study Dispute Resolution''.
    Other Information: Complete individual contact information must be 
provided. However, contact information for the applicant and their 
references may be filed as ``privileged''. See the instructions on the 
Commission's website at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Nguyen, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Office of Energy Projects, 888 First Street NE, Room 61-01, 
Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-6105, [email protected].

    Dated: October 22, 2018.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-23602 Filed 10-29-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P