Initiate Cost Recovery

After submission and BLM review of a right-of-way (ROW) application, a cost-recovery agreement will be established with the applicant, unless an applicant is exempt. An applicant must establish a cost-recovery account sufficient to cover all costs to the U.S. associated with accepting, reviewing, and processing the application, including, but not limited to:

• Conducting an environmental review and related consultations;
• Conducting inventories for resources such as cultural resources, visual resources, and special status species; and
• Inspecting and monitoring the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the proposed ROW facility.

The BLM starts the cost recovery process when the application is received. The application filing fee funds the cost recovery as an initial payment for the reasonable costs for processing, inspecting, and monitoring a right-of-way. If additional funds are needed beyond the application filing fee, an amendment would be made to the cost recovery agreement. The BLM presents the cost recovery agreement and estimate to an applicant after its review of the ROW application.

Application filing fees only apply to outside of Designated Leasing Areas (DLAs) in accordance with 43 CFR 2804.12(c)(2).