Fact mine-028
newrecordconfirmed BLM right-of-way rules: public meetings are held if there is enough public interest; notice comes with review
Under 43 CFR 2804.25 (2024 edition), BLM tells the applicant in writing when it receives a right-of-way application and the cost-recovery fees; it completes NEPA review, consults tribes and other governments, and then decides. The rule says BLM will hold public meetings if there is enough public interest to warrant them, announced in the Federal Register and by other means such as local newspapers or the internet; for solar and wind projects it must hold a local meeting when there is no other early engagement. Valar's three applications are pending (mine-006) and no Federal Register notice for them was found (mine-009).
In plain termsThe rule does not by itself require public notice when a company files for public land. Public involvement comes mainly through BLM's environmental review and any public meetings BLM decides to hold, announced in the Federal Register, which is one reason early letters and calls from residents matter.
- 43 CFR 2804.25: How will BLM process my application? (rights-of-way, 2024 edition) (U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo), 2024-10-01) primary government “Hold public meetings if sufficient public interest exists to warrant their time and expense.”