RAPID/Roadmap/3-FD-m

From Open Energy Information

< RAPID‎ | Roadmap

RAPIDRegulatory and Permitting Information Desktop Toolkit
My Projects

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Land Right-of-Way (3-FD-m)

Information current as of 2024
In the United States, a developer may need a Right-of-Way (ROW) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for projects across National Wildlife Refuge System lands (System lands), so long as the use is compatible with the National Wildlife Refuge System mission and the purposes of the specific national wildlife refuge. The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to “…administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 603 FW 2, section 2.6(J). ROWs across FWS managed lands that are not part of the National Wildlife Refuge System (National Fish Hatcheries, Research Areas, and Administrative Sites) are authorized under the applicable authority cited in 43 C.F.R. § 2800. ROWs on and off system lands are permitted in accordance with the FWS ROW procedures found in 50 C.F.R. §§ 29.21 and 29.22.


The FWS grants ROWs across FWS managed lands pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, 43 C.F.R. §§ 2801.2-2809.19, Rights-of-Way Under the Federal Land Policy Management Act, and 50 C.F.R. §§ 29.1-29.220, Land Use Management.



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Land Right-of-Way Process


3-FD-m.1 – Contact the FWS Field Office for a Pre-Application Consultation

The developer should initiate the ROW process by contacting the Project Leader at the applicable FWS Field Office. During the initial contact, the Project Leader will determine the magnitude of the project, discuss proposed routing and alternatives, and provide the developer with a copy of the FWS ROW regulations. In some cases, the Project Leader may offer to develop the environmental assessment for the proposed ROW under a reimbursable agreement with the applicant. In other cases, the Project Leader may be able to recommend contractors that have experience in developing suitable environmental assessments for ROW across Service lands. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 340 FW 3, Rights-of-Way and Road Closings, section 3.8.

3-FD-m.2 to 3-FD-m.4 – FWS Right-of-Way Application

The FWS does not require a special form for the ROW application. Instead, the developer should submit an application which states the purpose for which the ROW is requested, the length and width on each side the centerline, and the estimated acreage. In addition, applications must include:

See 50 C.F.R. § 29.21-2

Once received, the FWS checks the application for completeness and conformance with the regulations. Legal questions are resolved before the application is forwarded to the project manager. 340 FW 3, Rights-of-Way and Road Closings, section 3.9.

3-FD-m.5 – Complete NEPA Process

The FWS must conduct a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis before it makes a final compatibility determination. NEPA requires federal agencies to consider the potential environmental consequences of their proposed actions and any reasonable alternatives before undertaking a major federal action. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required when a major federal action significantly affects the quality of the human environment. See 40 C.F.R. § 1502.3. If the effects of the action are not significant an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) may be sufficient. For more information regarding the NEPA process, see Environmental Review: 9.

3-FD-m.6 – Estimate Costs of Processing the Application

After receiving an application, the FWS estimates the amount of processing costs it expects to incur. If the processing costs exceed the application fees, the FWS will require the developer to make periodic payments in advance of the incurrence of those costs. The developer may request an estimation of the processing costs based on the best available cost information. Overpayments are refunded to the developer. See 50 C.F.R. § 29.21-2(a)(2)(ii)(D)-(E).

3-FD-m.7 to 3-FD-m.10 – Will the ROW Be Located Within the Refuge System or Outside of the Refuge System?

The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act allows the FWS to permit uses on System lands, including transmission lines, whenever the FWS determines that the use is “compatible.” A new use of a refuge shall not be initiated or permitted “…unless the Secretary [of the Interior] has determined that the use is a compatible use and that the use is not inconsistent with public safety.” See 16 U.S.C. §§ 668dd(d)(1)(B), (d)(3)(A)(i). “Compatible use” is defined by 50 C.F.R. § 29.21 as “a proposed or existing wildlife-dependent recreational use or any other use of a national wildlife refuge that, based on sound professional judgment, will not materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System mission or the purposes of the national wildlife refuge.” Consequently, the FWS will not initiate or permit a new use of a national wildlife refuge or expand, renew, or extend an existing use of a national wildlife refuge, unless the project manager has determined that the use is a compatible use. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 603 FW 2, section 2.3.

Before the compatibility determination is made, the public must be provided with an opportunity to review and comment on the use. The level of public participation is determined by the complexity, controversy, and level of impact on the refuge. For minor, incidental, or one time uses, notice of the proposed determination should be posted at the refuge headquarters. For all other uses, the project manager must, at a minimum, publish a notice in a newspaper with wide local distribution. For complex or controversial uses, the notification and review process may be expanded to include newspaper announcements, notice in the Federal Register, public meetings, an expanded comment period, letters to interested parties, etc. The public review effort, a summary of the comments, and actions taken or not taken as a result of the comments should be documented in the compatibility determination. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 603 FW 2, section 2.11(I).

The project manager must use his or her sound professional judgment when making a compatibility determination. The compatibility determination must include all of the information listed in Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 603 FW 2, section 2.12, including:

  • The use and a description of the use;
  • The refuge name;
  • The establishing and acquisition authorities;
  • The purpose of the refuge;
  • The National Wildlife Refuge System Mission;
  • A description of the public review (including a summary of comments received);
  • The availability of resources for administering and managing the use;
  • The anticipated impacts of the use;
  • The compatibility of the use;
  • Stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility;
  • The justification for the determination;
  • The signature of the manager;
  • The concurrence of the Regional Chief; and
  • A mandatory 10- or 15-year reevaluation date.

Once the compatibility review is complete, the project manager submits his or her recommendation to the Regional Director along with the application package (see below). In some cases, an otherwise incompatible use may be made compatible through the use of specific mitigation measures. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 340 FW 3, Rights-of-Way and Road Closings, section 3.10. It should be noted that a determination that a use is compatible does not require the FWS to authorize the proposed use. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 603 FW 2, section 2.15.

3-FD-m.11 to 3-FD-m.12 – Right-of-Way Application Package

The project leader will develop an application package concurrently with the compatibility determination. The application package must include information relating to:

  • The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA);
  • The NHPA;
  • Floodplains and Wetlands (if the proposed use is located in a floodplain or wetland);
  • Coastal Zone Management;
  • Endangered Species; and
  • Terms and Conditions.

Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 340 FW 3, Rights-of-Way and Road Closings, section 3.10.

Included in the application package is the project manager’s recommendation with respect to the compatibility of the use (see above) and whether the ROW should be granted. If the project manager recommends that the ROW be granted, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and a certification of compatibility is prepared for the Regional Director’s signature. 340 FW 3, Rights-of-Way and Road Closings, section 3.10.

Once complete, the project manager transmits the application package to the Regional Director. The Regional Director reviews the package and decides whether to grant or deny the ROW. 340 FW 3, Rights-of-Way and Road Closings, sections 3.10 - 3.11.

3-FD-m.13 to 3-FD-m.16 – Is the Right-of-Way Approved?

The FWS will inform the developer of a denial in writing, and the reasons for the denial will be stated in the letter. The Regional Director’s decision to deny the application for a ROW may be appealed to the Director of the FWS. 50 C.F.R. § 29.22; Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 340 FW 3, Rights-of-Way and Road Closings, section 3.11.

3-FD-m.17 to 3-FD-m.21 – Right-of-Way

If the Regional Directors decides to approve the ROW, the FWS asks the Department of the Interior Office of Valuation Services (OVS) to determine the rental charges based on the fair market value of the use and occupancy of the lands. 50 C.F.R. § 29.21-7. Once the OVS supplies the FWS with the appraisal, the FWS prepares the ROW. The ROW must include the terms and conditions found in 50 C.F.R. § 29.21-4(b). 50 C.F.R. § 29.21-8 contains additional terms and conditions that must be included in ROWs that authorize transmission lines. The FWS may waive any of the required terms and conditions or include special stipulations, at its discretion.

The FWS sends the completed ROW to the developer for execution. By signing the ROW, the developer agrees to the terms and conditions contained therein. The developer then returns the executed ROW, along with application and rental fees, to the FWS. The Regional Director signs the ROW and returns the original copy to the developer. The developer may then commence construction. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Part 340 FW 3, Rights-of-Way and Road Closings, section 3.11.


Add to Project

Contact Information






Retrieved from "https://openei.org/w/index.php?title=RAPID/Roadmap/3-FD-m&oldid=1068420"