[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1.641]

[Page 109-111]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1_ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart O_Conditions in FERC Hydropower Licenses
 
Sec. 1.641  How may parties obtain discovery of information needed for the 

case?

    (a) General. By agreement of the parties or with the permission of 
the ALJ, a party may obtain discovery of information to assist the party 
in preparing or presenting its case. Available methods of discovery are:
    (1) Written interrogatories;
    (2) Depositions as provided in paragraph (h) of this section; and
    (3) Requests for production of designated documents or tangible 
things or for entry on designated land for inspection or other purposes.
    (b) Criteria. Discovery may occur only as agreed to by the parties 
or as authorized by the ALJ in a written order or during a prehearing 
conference. The ALJ may authorize discovery only if

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the party requesting discovery demonstrates:
    (1) That the discovery will not unreasonably delay the hearing 
process;
    (2) That the information sought:
    (i) Will be admissible at the hearing or appears reasonably 
calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence;
    (ii) Is not already in the license proceeding record or otherwise 
obtainable by the party;
    (iii) Is not cumulative or repetitious; and
    (iv) Is not privileged or protected from disclosure by applicable 
law;
    (3) That the scope of the discovery is not unduly burdensome;
    (4) That the method to be used is the least burdensome method 
available;
    (5) That any trade secrets or proprietary information can be 
adequately safeguarded; and
    (6) That the standards for discovery under paragraphs (f) through 
(h) of this section have been met, if applicable.
    (c) Motions. A party may initiate discovery:
    (1) Pursuant to an agreement of the parties; or
    (2) By filing a motion that:
    (i) Briefly describes the proposed method(s), purpose, and scope of 
the discovery;
    (ii) Explains how the discovery meets the criteria in paragraphs 
(b)(1) through (b)(6) of this section; and
    (iii) Attaches a copy of any proposed discovery request (written 
interrogatories, notice of deposition, or request for production of 
designated documents or tangible things or for entry on designated 
land).
    (d) Timing of motions. A party must file any discovery motion under 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section within 7 days after issuance of the 
referral notice under Sec. 1.625(c).
    (e) Objections. (1) A party must file any objections to a discovery 
motion or to specific portions of a proposed discovery request within 7 
days after service of the motion.
    (2) An objection must explain how, in the objecting party's view, 
the discovery sought does not meet the criteria in paragraphs (b)(1) 
through (b)(6) of this section.
    (f) Materials prepared for hearing. A party generally may not obtain 
discovery of documents and tangible things otherwise discoverable under 
paragraph (b) of this section if they were prepared in anticipation of 
or for the hearing by or for another party's representative (including 
the party's attorney, expert, or consultant).
    (1) If a party wants to discover such materials, it must show:
    (i) That it has substantial need of the materials in preparing its 
own case; and
    (ii) That the party is unable without undue hardship to obtain the 
substantial equivalent of the materials by other means.
    (2) In ordering discovery of such materials when the required 
showing has been made, the ALJ must protect against disclosure of the 
mental impressions, conclusions, opinions, or legal theories of an 
attorney.
    (g) Experts. Unless restricted by the ALJ, a party may discover any 
facts known or opinions held by an expert concerning any relevant 
matters that are not privileged. Such discovery will be permitted only 
if:
    (1) The expert is expected to be a witness at the hearing; or
    (2) The expert is relied on by another expert who is expected to be 
a witness at the hearing, and the party shows:
    (i) That it has a compelling need for the information; and
    (ii) That it cannot practicably obtain the information by other 
means.
    (h) Limitations on depositions. (1) A party may depose a witness 
only if the party shows that the witness:
    (i) Will be unable to attend the hearing because of age, illness, or 
other incapacity; or
    (ii) Is unwilling to attend the hearing voluntarily, and the party 
is unable to compel the witness's attendance at the hearing by subpoena.
    (2) Paragraph (h)(1)(ii) of this section does not apply to any 
person employed by or under contract with the party seeking the 
deposition.
    (3) A party may depose a senior Department employee only if the 
party shows:
    (i) That the employee's testimony is necessary in order to provide 
significant, unprivileged information that is

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not available from any other source or by less burdensome means; and
    (ii) That the deposition would not significantly interfere with the 
employee's ability to perform his or her government duties.
    (i) Completion of discovery. All discovery must be completed within 
25 days after the initial prehearing conference, unless the ALJ sets a 
different deadline.