LIMITATIONS TO APPLYING GEOMORPHIC SCIENCE WITHIN COLLABORATIVE FERC HYDROPOWER LICENSING

Collaborative processes are becoming an accepted, even preferred approach to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing of hydropower projects. Use of geomorphic studies has also gained importance within FERC licensing as a basis for evaluating project effects on riparian processes, aquatic habitat, and water quality, as well as some socioeconomic resources affected by sedimentation. The collaborative process brings numerous parties together during the study design phase, including a range of agency, non-governmental organization, and community representatives that may have valuable perspectives, expertise, and opinions on the history and condition of the study area. However, several aspects of the process limit effective and beneficial integration of geomorphic science into decisions that will direct river management for the 30 to 50 year license durations. Geomorphologists may not have adequate input in developing the study objectives or determining the necessary field data to be collected. New, best-available science recommended by geomorphologists may be perceived as complex and uncertain to collaborative participants, resulting in consensus selection of more familiar, but less appropriate study methods. Once a study plan has been approved, geomorphic assessments are typically constrained by a lack of historic data, complex watershed histories, few suitable reference sites, pre-conceived stakeholder notions, and the brief study periods relative to natural variability. These factors can lead to collection of geomorphic data that may not be helpful in determining or isolating hydropower project effects. This increases dependence upon professional judgment and expert opinion in negotiations, despite extensive and expensive study programs. We discuss opportunities to better integrate geomorphic science and apply recent advances in knowledge, understanding and analytical tools into collaborative planning and decision-making.