As used in this subpart:

ALJ means an administrative law judge appointed under 5 U.S.C. 3105 and assigned to preside over the hearing process under this subpart.

Alternative means a condition that a license party other than the Forest Service or another Department develops as an alternative to a preliminary condition from the Forest Service or another Department, under FPA sec. 33, 16 U.S.C. 823d.

Condition means a condition under FPA sec. 4(e), 16 U.S.C. 797(e), for the adequate protection and utilization of a reservation.

Day means a calendar day.

Department means the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, or Department of the Interior.

Discovery means a prehearing process for obtaining facts or information to assist a party in preparing or presenting its case.

Ex parte communication means an oral or written communication to the ALJ that is made without providing all parties reasonable notice and an opportunity to participate.

FERC means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Forest Service means the USDA Forest Service.

FPA means the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791 et seq.

Hearing Clerk means the Hearing Clerk, OALJ, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250; phone: 202-720-4443, facsimile: 202-720-9776.

Intervention means a process by which a person who did not request a hearing under §1.621 can participate as a party to the hearing under §1.622.

License party means a party to the license proceeding, as that term is defined at 18 CFR 385.102(c).

License proceeding means a proceeding before FERC for issuance of a license for a hydroelectric facility under 18 CFR part 4 or 5.

Material fact means a fact that, if proved, may affect a Department's decision whether to affirm, modify, or withdraw any condition or prescription.

Modified condition or prescription means any modified condition or prescription filed by a Department with FERC for inclusion in a hydropower license.

NEPA document means an environmental document as defined at 40 CFR 1508.10 to include an environmental assessment, environmental impact statement (EIS), finding of no significant impact, and notice of intent to prepare an EIS. Such documents are issued to comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., and the CEQ Regulations Implementing the Procedural Requirements of NEPA (40 CFR parts 21500-1508).

NFS means the National Forest System and refers to:

(1) Federal land managed by the Forest Service; and

(2) The Deputy Chief of the National Forest System, located in the Forest Service's Washington, DC, office.

Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) is the office within USDA in which ALJs conduct hearings under the regulations in this subpart.

Party means, with respect to USDA's hearing process:

(1) A license party that has filed a timely request for a hearing under:

(i) Section 1.621; or

(ii) Either 43 CFR 45.21 or 50 CFR 221.21, with respect to a hearing process consolidated under §1.623;

(2) A license party that has filed a timely notice of intervention and response under:

(i) Section 1.622; or

(ii) Either 43 CFR 45.22 or 50 CFR 221.22, with respect to a hearing process consolidated under §1.623;

(3) The Forest Service; and

(4) Any other Department that has filed a preliminary condition or prescription, with respect to a hearing process consolidated under §1.623.

Person means an individual; a partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity; an unincorporated organization; and any Federal, State, Tribal, county, district, territorial, or local government or agency.

Preliminary condition or prescription means any preliminary condition or prescription filed by a Department with FERC for potential inclusion in a hydropower license.

Prescription means a fishway prescribed under FPA sec. 18, 16 U.S.C. 811, to provide for the safe, timely, and effective passage of fish.

Representative means a person who:

(1) Is authorized by a party to represent the party in a hearing process under this subpart; and

(2) Has filed an appearance under §1.610.

Reservation has the same meaning as the term “reservations” in FPA sec. 3(2), 16 U.S.C. 796(2).

Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture or his or her designee.

Senior Department employee has the same meaning as the term “senior employee” in 5 CFR 2637.211(a).

USDA means the United States Department of Agriculture.

You refers to a party other than a Department.