How to Manage Hydropower Exhibits
Preparing Exhibit Drawings for a License or Exemption Application
All information on the drawings must conform to the standards and specifications under the Commission's regulations at 18 CFR §4.39; which states that all maps must be drawn to scale, must be legible, and must contain a title block with pertinent project information. In addition, the project boundary exhibits must conform to the standards and specifications under the Commission's regulations at 18 CFR §4.41(h). Applicants for a 5-MW exemption or conduit exemption project that meets certain guidelines may request a waiver from some of the requirements pertaining to Exhibit F and G drawings.
For more information on Hydropower Project Exhibit Drawings, see: The Commission's Guidelines for Managing Hydropower Project Exhibits - Drawings Guide (updated January 2012) | Summary of Updates.
Project Features (Exhibit F Drawings)
Exhibit F drawings must contain details regarding the following principal project works: the powerhouse, intake and tailrace, generating units, and appurtenant facilities related to power production. These drawings must show the major project structures, in sufficient detail to provide a full understanding of the project, in the following forms:
- Plans (overhead view);
- Elevations (front view);
- Profiles (side view); and
- Sections
These drawings must include the dimensions of important structures (e.g. the dam and powerhouse), identify elevations (e.g. the top of dam and normal maximum reservoir level), and include details of the generating units. Each drawing must contain a title block with the drawing title, graphical and numerical scale, and other pertinent information concerning the drawing.
Exhibit F drawings depicting details of project structures must be no smaller than one inch equals 50 feet for plans, sections, and profiles, and one inch equals 10 feet for sections. The drawings should be identified and designated as Critical Energy Infrastructure Information (CEII), as defined under the Commission's regulations at 18 CFR §388.113(c).
For an example of an Exhibit F drawing, see F-2, Elevation
Project Boundary (Exhibit G Drawings)
Exhibit G drawings must include a vicinity map of the project area, and a detailed drawing(s) that includes the project boundary and principal features as a whole in relation to the affected waterway and other permanent geographical features such as roads, rivers, and other structures that may be found on a map. These drawings must show all project works and the following features:
- Affected stream or body of water;
- Nearby town or other permanent monuments or structures such as roads, structures, transmission lines that can be recognized in the field;
- Relative relationship between project features
- Public land boundaries and ownership
The project boundary should be located no more than 200 feet from the exterior margin of the reservoir, except where additional lands may be necessary for project purposes (e.g. shoreline control flood easements). If the project boundary is described as a contour elevation, topographic contours should be included on the drawing.
Exhibit G drawings must have a scale no smaller than one inch equals 0.5 mile for transmission lines, roads, and similar linear features and no smaller than one inch equals 1000 feet for other project features including the project boundary. Where maps at this scale are not sufficient to show details, large scale maps may be required. Each drawing must contain a title block with the drawing title, graphical and numerical scale, and other pertinent information concerning the drawing. Any waiver of Exhibit G requirements granted by the Commission will be project specific.
For an example of an Exhibit G drawing, see: Project Boundary
Exhibit Guidelines for Exemption and Conduit Exemption Projects
All applications for a hydroelectric project require Exhibit F and Exhibit G drawings. However, the Commission recognizes that certain projects may be of such a small size that it may be possible to relax some of the requirements for maps and drawings while providing the same level of detail.
Exhibit F drawings must be of sufficient quality, clarity, and detail to identify the project features. This would include the inlet structure, powerhouse and tailrace, generating equipment, as well as a site plan and profile views. If turbine and generator drawing details are available from manufacturer specification books, they may be substituted for an original prepared drawing providing they fully represent the project. Providing all details are legible, applicants may request a waiver to prepare the drawings on sheets not smaller than 8 ½ by 11 inches, or to use a different scale for sections and details. In some cases, the Commission staff may waive the specific requirements identified above. If you are contemplating requesting a waiver, you should contact Commission to determine what you would need to file.
For an example of a conduit exemption Exhibit F Drawing, see: F-1 Small Conduit
Exhibit G drawings must include a vicinity map of the project area, and a detailed drawing that shows all principal features as a whole in relation to the affected waterway and other permanent geographical features. All project facilities must be contained within a project boundary. The drawings must be drawn to scale, contain a north arrow, and contain a location data points such that the project site identified using a defined coordinate system such as latitude/longitude. Providing the proposed project is contained within a small footprint (including transmission line) and does not affect federal lands, applicants may request a waiver for certification of the drawing by a registered land surveyor. Any waiver of Exhibit G requirements granted by the Commission will be project specific.
For an example of a conduit exemption Exhibit G Drawing, see: G-1 Small Conduit