Pursuant to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) right-of-way regulations (43 CFR Parts 2800 and 2880), rents and fees for authorizations on public land are due each year on Jan. 1, with a 15-day grace period before late fees can be assessed for non-payment. This year, however, the BLM understands that right-of-way grant holders may be facing hardship as a result of late notice of the 2021 rents and fees, and the unprecedented conditions caused by the COVID pandemic. Thus, for payments due on Jan. 1, 2021, the BLM is exercising its discretion not to assess late fees for an additional 30 days.
On Nov. 10, 2020, the BLM released the 5-year update to rental zones, as required by the BLM right-of-way regulations, to reflect the updated land value census published by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Unfortunately, an internal delay in implementing the required update triggered a subsequent delay by local BLM offices distributing the 2021 Bills for Collection for linear, solar and wind energy rights-of-way.
Due to the agency’s delay in sending bills, the BLM hereby will not assess late fees for 30 days beyond the grace period provided by 43 CFR § 2806.13(a). Thus, the BLM will not begin charging late fees for unpaid linear, solar, and wind energy right-of-way payments until Feb. 15, 2021.
If a right-of-way holder wishes to file an appeal regarding right-of-way payments, it must do so in accordance with the regulations at 43 CFR Part 4.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
