Other Procedures

Permitting requirements that apply to solar energy right-of-way (ROW) leases within specific types of designated leasing areas (DLAs).

As of 2020, the following categories of DLAs have been identified in BLM programmatic land use plans:

• Solar Energy Zones (SEZs) in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah (2012 Western Solar Plan) and
• Renewable Energy Development Areas (REDAs) in Arizona (2013 Restoration Design Energy Project [RDEP] Record of Decision [ROD]).

Note that the land designations of the 2016 Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) superseded the 2012 Solar PEIS designations. Under 43 CFR 2802.10(a), the BLM CA may decide to follow a competitive process and issue a lease for solar development within DRECP‑designated Development Focus Areas (DFAs).

Additionally, the leasing regulations at 43 CFR 2800 (as amended in 2017) addressed procedures for leasing in lands outside of DLAs that subsequently become DLAs.