I. Official designation. Hydrologic Frequency Analysis Work Group (Work Group) of the Subcommittee on Hydrology (Subcommittee) of the Advisory Committee on Water Information (ACWI)

II. Purpose, scope, applicability, and functions.

1. Purpose. The overall goal of the Hydrologic Frequency Analysis Work Group is to recommend procedures to increase the usefulness of the current guidelines for Hydrologic Frequency Analysis computations (e.g. Bulletin 17B) and to evaluate other procedures for frequency analysis of hydrologic phenomena. The work group will forward draft papers and recommendations to the Subcommittee on Hydrology of ACWI for appropriate action.

2. Scope. The Work Groups will consider frequency computation issues for all quantity aspects of the surface-water component of the hydrologic cycle including stream flow, lake and reservoir storage and estuaries. The Work Group will consider policies, programs, and activities for the collection, analysis, assessment, archiving, distribution, reporting and use of frequency computation of stream flow, and related information in accordance with all applicable federal laws, regulations, and guidelines.

3. Applicability. As resources are available and consistent with applicable legal requirements, organizations that participate in the Work Group will implement recommendations and voluntarily use the guidelines and procedures developed by the work group for the Subcommittee on Hydrology and approved by ACWI.

4. Functions. The Work Group will foster the availability and use, including training, of frequency guidelines for flow information used for hazard mitigation, effective water-supply planning, and natural resources management in the United States.

III. Membership.

1. The Work Group shall have a membership of Federal, non-federal, interstate, State, Tribal, local government agencies and private persons. No entities shall have more than one member.

2. During meetings the Chair will announce membership applications received up to 2 weeks before each meeting.

3. The Chair and Vice Chair will be selected from among the members. At the first meeting of the work group, the members will elect a Chair and Vice Chair. The Chair and the Vice Chair will serve until September 30 of the full year after the Work Group is formed. Biannually thereafter, the Vice Chair will become Chair and the members will elect a new Vice Chair to replace the Chair after 2 years. Also, the Vice Chair will serve in the absence of the Chair. A special election will be held if either the Chair or Vice Chair terminate their association with the Subcommittee before their terms expire.

4. Members are expected to attend, in person or by teleconference, all meetings of the Work Group. If a member does not attend at least 50 percent of the meetings in any year (October 1 to September 30), the Chair will remove the member from the rolls. A member can be reinstated one year later by informing the Chair of their desire to renew their participation in the Work Group.

1. The Work Group will meet at least twice a year and at other times as designated by the Chair. The Chair will determine the dates, times, and locations of the meetings in consultation with the members. The Chair will be responsible for announcing meetings 2 months in advance and distributing agendas and information about meetings to all members at least 2 weeks in advance of the meetings.

2. Members of the Work Group will receive no pay, allowances, or benefits from the Subcommittee or the ACWI. All travel expenses will be borne by the individual member organizations.

3. The Work Group will conduct business in an open fashion by discussing and attempting to resolve all issues through consensus and by recognizing the legitimate interests and diverse views of the Work Group members. If complete agreement cannot be reached on a specific issue, then the following procedures will apply:

   1. A consensus will exist unless one or more members request a vote.

   2. Once a vote is requested, the Chair will poll the voting members. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members present will constitute approval of a motion. Two-thirds of the members will constitute the quorum necessary for a formal vote. Each member except for the Chair may cast one vote. In the event of a tie, the Chair will cast the deciding vote. The chair will record how the votes were cast.

   3. The Chair will sign and forward to the Chair of the Subcommittee decisions of the Work Group that are proposed advice, guidance or recommendations intended for implementation. Members may prepare minority reports and provide them to the Chair within 3 weeks of a decision. Such minority reports will be forwarded along with majority reports.

4. Meetings of the Work Group will be open. Each meeting will include time for individuals who are not members to make statements or to have written statements distributed during the meeting.

5. The Chair will prepare and distribute minutes with action items of Work Group meetings to members and to the Chair of SOH.

V. Termination. The Chair of the Subcommittee has the authority to terminate the Work Group in consultation with the Subcommittee. At least 60 days notice must be provided in advance of termination.

VI. Subordinate groups. For assistance in conducting its business, the Work Group may establish groups for a specific purpose and time period with approval of Subcommittee. Such groups will gather information, conduct research, analyze relevant issues and facts, and draft proposed position papers and recommendations for deliberation by the Work Group. These groups will be established by the Chair and will have the balanced perspectives and knowledge necessary to perform their assigned functions. Representatives that serve on subordinate groups may include persons that are not members of the Work Group, but that provide knowledgeable and interested individuals needed to carry out the assigned tasks. All subordinate groups will serve for the time necessary to complete the action for which they were formed. The Work Group will review the status of subordinate groups each year and terminate those that have completed their assignments.

VII. Authority. The Work Group will work under the SOH as part of the Water Information Coordination Program mandated by OMB Memorandum No. 92-01, dated December 10, 1991. The Work Group reports to the SOH of ACWI that operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The Work Group is not separately chartered under FACA.