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General Provisions

§ 2806.10 - What rent must I pay for my grant?

(a) You must pay in advance a rent BLM establishes based on sound business management principles and, as far as practical and feasible, using comparable commercial practices. Rent does not include processing or monitoring fees and rent is not offset by such fees. BLM may exempt, waive, or reduce rent for a grant under §§ 2806.14 and 2806.15 of this subpart.

(b) If BLM issued your grant on or before October 21, 1976, under then existing statutory authority, upon request, BLM will conduct an informal hearing before a proposed rent increase becomes effective. This applies to rent increases due to a BLM-initiated change in the rent or from initially being put on a rent schedule. You are not entitled to a hearing on annual adjustments once you are on a rent schedule.

§ 2806.11 - How will BLM charge me rent?

(a) BLM will charge rent beginning on the first day of the month following the effective date of the grant through the last day of the month when the grant terminates. Example: If a grant became effective on January 10 and terminated on September 16, the rental period would be February 1 through September 30, or 8 months.

(b) BLM will set or adjust the annual billing periods to coincide with the calendar year by prorating the rent based on 12 months.

(c) If you disagree with the rent that BLM charges, you may appeal the decision under § 2801.10 of this part.

§ 2806.12 - When and where do I pay rent?

(a) You must pay rent for the initial rental period before the BLM issues you a grant or lease.

(1) If your non-linear grant or lease is effective on:

(i) January 1 through September 30 and qualifies for annual payments, your initial rent bill is pro-rated to include only the remaining full months in the initial year; or

(ii) October 1 through December 31 and qualifies for annual payments, your initial rent bill is pro-rated to include the remaining full months in the initial year plus the next full year.

(2) If your non-linear grant allows for multi-year payments, such as a short term grant issued for energy site-specific testing, you may request that your initial rent bill be for the full term of the grant instead of the initial rent bill periods provided under paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section.

(b) You must make all rental payments for linear rights-of-way according to the payment plan described in § 2806.24.

(c) After the first rental payment, all rent is due on January 1 of the first year of each succeeding rental period for the term of your grant.

(d) You must make all rental payments as instructed by us or as provided for by Secretarial order or legislative authority.

[70 FR 21058, Apr. 22, 2005, as amended at 81 FR 92216, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.13 - What happens if I do not pay rents and fees or if I pay the rents or fees late?

(a) If the BLM does not receive the rent or fee payment required in subpart 2806 within 15 calendar days after the payment was due under § 2806.12, we will charge you a late payment fee of $25 or 10 percent of the amount you owe, whichever is greater, per authorization.

(b) If BLM does not receive your rent payment and late payment fee within 30 calendar days after rent was due, BLM may collect other administrative fees provided by statute.

(c) If BLM does not receive your rent, late payment fee, and any administrative fees within 90 calendar days after the rent was due, BLM may terminate your grant under § 2807.17 of this part and you may not remove any facility or equipment without BLM's written permission (see § 2807.19 of this part). The rent due, late payment fees, and any administrative fees remain a debt that you owe to the United States.

(d) If you pay the rent, late payment fee, and any administrative fees after BLM has terminated the grant, BLM does not automatically reinstate the grant. You must file a new application with BLM. BLM will consider the history of your failure to timely pay rent in deciding whether to issue you a new grant.

(e) Subject to applicable laws and regulations, we will retroactively bill for uncollected or under-collected rent, fees, and late payments, if:

(1) A clerical error is identified;

(2) An adjustment to rental schedules is not applied; or

(3) An omission or error in complying with the terms and conditions of the authorized right-of-way is identified.

(f) You may appeal any adverse decision BLM takes against your grant under § 2801.10 of this part.

(g) We will not approve any further activities associated with your right-of-way until we receive any outstanding payments that are due.

[70 FR 21058, Apr. 22, 2005, as amended at 81 FR 92216, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.14 - Under what circumstances am I exempt from paying rent?

(a)You do not have to pay rent for your use if:

(1) BLM issues the grant under a statute which does not allow BLM to charge rent;

(2) You are a Federal, state, or local government or its agent or instrumentality, unless you are:

(i) Using the facility, system, space, or any part of the right-of-way area for commercial purposes; or

(ii) A municipal utility or cooperative whose principal source of revenue is customer charges;

(3) You have been granted an exemption under a statute providing for such; or

(4) Electric or telephone facilities constructed on the right-of-way were financed in whole or in part, or eligible for financing, under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (REA) (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), or are extensions of such facilities. You do not need to have sought financing from the Rural Utilities Service to qualify for this exemption. BLM may require you to document the facility's eligibility for REA financing. For communication site facilities, adding or including non-eligible facilities as, for example, by tenants or customers, on the right-of-way will subject the holder to rent in accordance with §§ 2806.30 through 2806.44 of this subpart.

(b) The exemptions in this section do not apply if you are in trespass.

[70 FR 21058, Apr. 22, 2005, as amended at 73 FR 65071, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 2806.15 - Under what circumstances may BLM waive or reduce my rent?

(a) BLM may waive or reduce your rent payment, even to zero in appropriate circumstances. BLM may require you to submit information to support a finding that your grant qualifies for a waiver or a reduction of rent.

(b) BLM may waive or reduce your rent if you show BLM that:

(1) You are a non-profit organization, corporation, or association which is not controlled by, or is not a subsidiary of, a profit making corporation or business enterprise and the facility or project will provide a benefit or special service to the general public or to a program of the Secretary;

(2) You provide without charge, or at reduced rates, a valuable benefit to the public at large or to the programs of the Secretary of the Interior;

(3) You hold a valid Federal authorization in connection with your grant and the United States is already receiving compensation for this authorization. This paragraph does not apply to oil and gas leases issued under part 3100 of this chapter; or

(4) Your grant involves a cost share road or a reciprocal right-of-way agreement not subject to subpart 2812 of this chapter. In these cases, BLM will determine the rent based on the proportion of use.

(c) The BLM State Director may waive or reduce your rent payment if the BLM State Director determines that paying the full rent will cause you undue hardship and it is in the public interest to waive or reduce your rent. In your request for a waiver or rental reduction you must include a suggested alternative rental payment plan or timeframe within which you anticipate resuming full rental payments. BLM may also require you to submit specific financial and technical data or other information that corrects or modifies the statement of financial capability required by § 2804.12(a)(5) of this part.

§ 2806.16 - When must I make estimated rent payments to BLM?

To expedite the processing of your grant application, BLM may estimate rent payments and collect that amount before it issues the grant. The amount may change once BLM determines the actual rent of the right-of-way. BLM will credit any rental overpayment, and you are liable for any underpayment. This section does not apply to rent payments made under a rent schedule in this part.

Linear Rights-of-Way

§ 2806.20 - What is the rent for a linear right-of-way grant?

(a) Except as described in § 2806.26 of this chapter, the BLM will use the Per Acre Rent Schedule (see paragraph (c) of this section) to calculate rent for all linear right-of-way authorizations, regardless of the granting authority (FLPMA, MLA, and their predecessors). Counties (or other geographical areas) are assigned to an appropriate zone in accordance with § 2806.21. The BLM will adjust the per acre rent values in the schedule annually in accordance with § 2806.22(a), and it will revise the schedule at the end of each 10-year period in accordance with § 2806.22(b).

(b) The annual per acre rent for all types of linear right-of-way facilities is the product of 4 factors: The per acre zone value multiplied by the encumbrance factor multiplied by the rate of return multiplied by the annual adjustment factor (see § 2806.22(a)).

(c) You may obtain a copy of the current Per Acre Rent Schedule from any BLM State, district, or field office or by writing: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003. We also post the current rent schedule at http://www.blm.gov.

[73 FR 65071, Oct. 31, 2008, as amended at 81 FR 92216, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.21 - When and how are counties or other geographical areas assigned to a County Zone Number and Per Acre Zone Value?

Counties (or other geographical areas) are assigned to a County Zone Number and Per Acre Zone Value based upon 80 percent of their average per acre land and building value published in the Census of Agriculture (Census) by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The initial assignment of counties to the zones will cover years 2006 through 2010 of the Per Acre Rent Schedule and is based upon data contained in the most recent NASS Census (2002). Subsequent re-assignments of counties will occur every 5 years (in 2011 based upon 2007 NASS Census data, in 2016 based upon 2012 NASS Census data, and so forth) following the publication of the NASS Census.

[73 FR 65071, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 2806.22 - When and how does the Per Acre Rent Schedule change?

(a) Each calendar year the BLM will adjust the per acre rent values in § 2806.20 for all types of linear right-of-way facilities in each zone based on the average annual change in the IPD–GDP for the 10-year period immediately preceding the year that the NASS Census data becomes available. For example, the average annual change in the IPD–GDP from 1994 to 2003 (the 10-year period immediately preceding the year (2004) that the 2002 National Agricultural Statistics Service Census data became available) was 1.9 percent. This annual adjustment factor is applied to years 2006 through 2015 of the Per Acre Rent Schedule. Likewise, the average annual change in the IPD–GDP from 2004 to 2013 (the 10-year period immediately preceding the year (2014) when the 2012 NASS Census data will become available) will be applied to years 2016 through 2025 of the Per Acre Rent Schedule.

(b) The BLM will review the NASS Census data from the 2012 NASS Census, and each subsequent 10-year period, and as appropriate, revise the number of county zones and the per acre zone values. Any revision must include 100 percent of the number of counties and listed geographical areas for all states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and must reasonably reflect the increases or decreases in the average per acre land and building values contained in the NASS Census.

[73 FR 65072, Oct. 31, 2008, as amended at 81 FR 92216, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.23 - How will the BLM calculate my rent for linear rights-of-way the Per Acre Rent Schedule covers?

(a) Except as provided by §§ 2806.25 and 2806.26, the BLM calculates your rent by multiplying the rent per acre for the appropriate county (or other geographical area) zone from the current schedule by the number of acres (as rounded up to the nearest tenth of an acre) in the right-of-way area that fall in each zone and multiplying the result by the number of years in the rental payment period (the length of time for which the holder is paying rent).

(b) If the BLM has not previously used the rent schedule to calculate your rent, we may do so after giving you reasonable written notice.

[73 FR 65072, Oct. 31, 2008, as amended at 81 FR 92216, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.24 - How must I make rental payments for a linear grant?

(a) Term grants. For linear grants, except those issued in perpetuity, you must make either nonrefundable annual payments or a nonrefundable payment for more than 1 year, as follows:

(1) One-time payments. You may pay in advance the total rent amount for the entire term of the grant or any remaining years.

(2) Multiple payments. If you choose not to make a one-time payment, you must pay according to one of the following methods:

(i) Payments by individuals. If your annual rent is $100 or less, you must pay at 10-year intervals, not to exceed the term of the grant. If your annual rent is greater than $100, you may pay annually or at 10-year intervals, not to exceed the term of the grant. For example, if you have a grant with a remaining term of 30 years, you may pay in advance for 10 years, 20 years, or 30 years, but not any other multi-year period.

(ii) Payments by all others. If your annual rent is $500 or less, you must pay rent at 10-year intervals, not to exceed the term of the grant. If your annual rent is greater than $500, you may pay annually or at 10-year intervals, not to exceed the term of the grant.

(b) Perpetual grants. For linear grants issued in perpetuity (except as noted in §§ 2806.25 and 2806.26), you must make either nonrefundable annual payments or a nonrefundable payment for more than 1 year, as follows:

(1) Payments by individuals. If your annual rent is $100 or less, you must pay at 10-year intervals, not to exceed 30 years. If your annual rent is greater than $100, you may pay annually or at 10-year intervals, not to exceed 30 years.

(2) Payments by all others. If your annual rent is $500 or less, you must pay rent at 10-year intervals, not to exceed 30 years. If your annual rent is greater than $500, you may pay annually or at 10-year intervals, not to exceed 30 years.

(c) Proration of payments. The BLM prorates the first year rental amount based on the number of months left in the calendar year after the effective date of the grant. If your grant requires, or you chose a 10-year payment term, or multiples thereof, the initial rent bill consists of the remaining partial year plus the next 10 years, or multiple thereof.

[73 FR 65072, Oct. 31, 2008, as amended at 81 FR 92216, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.25 - How may I make rental payments when land encumbered by my perpetual linear grant (other than an easement issued under is being transferred out of Federal ownership?

(a) One-time payment option for existing perpetual grants. If you have a perpetual grant and the land your grant encumbers is being transferred out of Federal ownership, you may choose to make a one-time rental payment. The BLM will determine the one-time payment for a perpetual grant by dividing the current annual rent for the subject property by an overall capitalization rate calculated from market data, where the overall capitalization rate is the difference between a market yield rate and a percent annual rent increase as described in the formula in paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section. The formula for this calculation is: One-time Rental Payment = Annual Rent/ (Y−CR), where:

(1) Annual Rent = Current Annual Rent Applicable to the Subject Property from the Per Acre Rent Schedule;

(2) Y = Yield Rate from the Per Acre Rent Schedule (5.27 percent); and

(3) CR = Annual Percent Change in Rent as Determined by the Most Recent 10-Year Average of the difference in the IPD–GDP Index from January of one year to January of the following year.

(b) One-time payment for grants converted to perpetual grants under § 2807.15(b). If the land your grant encumbers is being transferred out of Federal ownership, and you request a conversion of your grant to a perpetual right-of-way grant, you must make a one-time rental payment in accordance with § 2806.25(a).

(c) In paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the annual rent is determined from the Per Acre Rent Schedule (see § 2806.20(c)) as updated under § 2806.22. However, the per acre zone value and zone number used in this annual rental determination will be based on the per acre land value from acceptable market information or the appraisal report, if any, for the land transfer action and not the county average per acre land and building value from the NASS Census. You may also submit an appraisal report on your own initiative in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.

(d) When no acceptable market information is available and no appraisal report has been completed for the land transfer action or when the BLM requests it, you must:

(1) Prepare an appraisal report using Federal appraisal standards, at your expense, that explains how you estimated the land value per acre, the rate of return, and the encumbrance factor; and

(2) Submit the appraisal report for consideration by the BLM State Director with jurisdiction over the lands encumbered by your authorization.

[73 FR 65072, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 2806.26 - How may I make rental payments when land encumbered by my perpetual easement issued under is being transferred out of Federal ownership?

(a) The BLM will use the appraisal report for the land transfer action (i.e., direct or indirect land sales, land exchanges, and other land disposal actions) and other acceptable market information to determine the one-time rental payment for a perpetual easement issued under § 2807.15(b).

(b) When no acceptable market information is available and no appraisal report has been completed for the land transfer action or when the BLM requests it, you must prepare an appraisal report as required under § 2806.25(d). You may also submit an appraisal report on your own initiative in accordance with § 2806.25(d).

[73 FR 65072, Oct. 31, 2008]

Communication Site Rights-of-Way

§ 2806.30 - What are the rents for communication site rights-of-way?

(a) Rent schedule. (1) The BLM uses a rent schedule to calculate the rent for communication site rights-of-way. The schedule is based on nine population strata (the population served), as depicted in the most recent version of the Ranally Metro Area (RMA) Population Ranking, and the type of communication use or uses for which we normally grant communication site rights-of-way. These uses are listed as part of the definition of “communication use rent schedule,” set out at § 2801.5(b). You may obtain a copy of the current schedule from any BLM State, district, or field office or by writing: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003. We also post the current communication use rent schedule at http://www.blm.gov.

(2) We update the schedule annually based on two sources: The U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average (CPI–U), as of July of each year (difference in CPI–U from July of one year to July of the following year), and the RMA population rankings.

(3) BLM will limit the annual adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index to no more than 5 percent. At least every 10 years BLM will review the rent schedule to ensure that the schedule reflects fair market value.

(b) Uses not covered by the schedule. The communication use rent schedule does not apply to:

(1) Communication site uses, facilities, and devices located entirely within the exterior boundaries of an oil and gas lease, and directly supporting the operations of the oil and gas lease (see parts 3160 through 3190 of this chapter);

(2) Communication facilities and uses ancillary to and authorized under a linear grant, such as a railroad grant or an oil and gas pipeline grant;

(3) Communication uses not listed on the schedule, such as telephone lines, fiber optic cables, and new technologies;

(4) Grants for which BLM determines the rent by competitive bidding; or

(5) Communication facilities and uses for which the BLM State Director concurs that:

(i) The expected annual rent, as BLM estimates from market data, exceeds the rent from the rent schedule by five times; or

(ii) The communication site serves a population of one million or more and the expected annual rent for the communication use or uses is more than $10,000 above the rent from the rent schedule.

[70 FR 21058, Apr. 22, 2005, as amended at 81 FR 92216, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.31 - How will BLM calculate rent for a right-of-way for communication uses in the schedule?

(a) Basic rule. BLM calculates rents for:

(1) Single-use facilities by applying the rent from the communication use rent schedule (see § 2806.30 of this subpart) for the type of use and the population strata served; and

(2) Multiple-use facilities, whose authorizations provide for subleasing, by setting the rent of the highest value use in the facility or facilities as the base rent (taken from the rent schedule) and adding to it 25 percent of the rent from the rent schedule for all tenant uses in the facility or facilities, if a tenant use is not used as the base rent (rent = base rent + 25 percent of all rent due to additional tenant uses in the facility or facilities) (see also §§ 2806.32 and 2806.34 of this subpart).

(b) Exclusions. When calculating rent, BLM will exclude customer uses, except as provided for at §§ 2806.34(b)(4) and 2806.42 of this subpart. BLM will also exclude those uses exempted from rent by § 2806.14 of this subpart, and any uses whose rent has been waived or reduced to zero as described in § 2806.15 of this subpart.

(c) Annual statement. By October 15 of each year, you, as a grant or lease holder, must submit to BLM a certified statement listing any tenants and customers in your facility or facilities and the category of use for each tenant or customer as of September 30 of the same year. BLM may require you to submit any additional information needed to calculate your rent. BLM will determine the rent based on the certified statement provided. We require only facility owners or facility managers to hold a grant or lease (unless you are an occupant in a federally-owned facility as described in § 2806.42 of this subpart), and will charge you rent for your grant or lease based on the total number of communication uses within the right-of-way and the type of uses and population strata the facility or site serves.

§ 2806.32 - How does BLM determine the population strata served?

(a) BLM determines the population strata served as follows:

(1) If the site or facility is within a designated RMA, BLM will use the population strata of the RMA;

(2) If the site or facility is within a designated RMA, and it serves two or more RMAs, BLM will use the population strata of the RMA having the greatest population;

(3) If the site or facility is outside an RMA, and it serves one or more RMAs, BLM will use the population strata of the RMA served having the greatest population;

(4) If the site or facility is outside an RMA and the site does not serve an RMA, BLM will use the population strata of the community it serves having the greatest population, as identified in the current edition of the Rand McNally Road Atlas;

(5) If the site or facility is outside an RMA, and it serves a community of less than 25,000, BLM will use the lowest population strata shown on the rent schedule.

(b)(1) BLM considers all facilities (and all uses within the same facility) located at one site to serve the same RMA or community. However, BLM may make case-by-case exceptions in determining the population served at a particular site by uses not located within the same facility and not authorized under the same grant or lease. BLM has the sole responsibility to make this determination. For example, when a site has a mix of high-power and low-power uses that are authorized by separate grants or leases, and only the high-power uses are capable of serving an RMA or community with the greatest population, BLM may separately determine the population strata served by the low-power uses (if not collocated in the same facility with the high-power uses), and calculate their rent as described in § 2806.30 of this subpart.

(2) For purposes of rent calculation, all uses within the same facility and/or authorized under the same grant or lease must serve the same population strata.

(3) For purposes of rent calculation, BLM will not modify the population rankings published in the Rand McNally Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide or the population of the community served.

§ 2806.33 - How will BLM calculate the rent for a grant or lease authorizing a single use communication facility?

BLM calculates the rent for a grant or lease authorizing a single-use communication facility from the communication use rent schedule (see § 2806.30 of this subpart), based on your authorized single use and the population strata it serves (see § 2806.32 of this subpart).

§ 2806.34 - How will BLM calculate the rent for a grant or lease authorizing a multiple-use communication facility?

(a) Basic rule. BLM first determines the population strata the communication facility serves according to § 2806.32 of this subpart and then calculates the rent assessed to facility owners and facility managers for a grant or lease for a communication facility that authorizes subleasing with tenants, customers, or both, as follows:

(1) Using the communication use rent schedule. BLM will determine the rent of the highest value use in the facility or facilities as the base rent, and add to it 25 percent of the rent from the rent schedule (see § 2806.30 of this subpart) for each tenant use in the facility or facilities;

(2) If the highest value use is not the use of the facility owner or facility manager, BLM will consider the owner's or manager's use like any tenant or customer use in calculating the rent (see § 2806.35(b) for facility owners and § 2806.39(a) for facility managers);

(3) If a tenant use is the highest value use, BLM will exclude the rent for that tenant's use when calculating the additional 25 percent amount under paragraph (a)(1) of this section for tenant uses;

(4) If a holder has multiple uses authorized under the same grant or lease, such as a TV and a FM radio station, BLM will calculate the rent as in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. In this case, the TV rent would be the highest value use and BLM would charge the FM portion according to the rent schedule as if it were a tenant use.

(b) Special applications. The following provisions apply when calculating rents for communication uses exempted from rent under § 2806.14 of this subpart or communication uses whose rent has been waived or reduced to zero under § 2806.15 of this subpart:

(1) BLM will exclude exempted uses or uses whose rent has been waived or reduced to zero (see §§ 2806.14 and 2806.15 of this subpart) of either a facility owner or a facility manager in calculating rents. BLM will exclude similar uses (see §§ 2806.14 and 2806.15 of this subpart) of a customer or tenant if they choose to hold their own grant or lease (see § 2806.36 of this subpart) or are occupants in a Federal facility (see § 2806.42(a) of this subpart);

(2) BLM will charge rent to a facility owner whose own use is either exempted from rent or whose rent has been waived or reduced to zero (see §§ 2806.14 and 2806.15 of this subpart), but who has tenants in the facility, in an amount equal to the rent of the highest value tenant use plus 25 percent of the rent from the rent schedule for each of the remaining tenant uses subject to rent;

(3) BLM will not charge rent to a facility owner, facility manager, or tenant (when holding a grant or lease) when all of the following occur:

(i) BLM exempts from rent, waives, or reduces to zero the rent for the holder's use (see §§ 2806.14 and 2806.15 of this subpart);

(ii) Rent from all other uses in the facility is exempted, waived, or reduced to zero, or BLM considers such uses as customer uses; and

(iii) The holder is not operating the facility for commercial purposes (see § 2801.5(b) of this part) with respect to such other uses in the facility; and

(4) If a holder, whose own use is exempted from rent or whose rent has been waived or reduced to zero, is conducting a commercial activity with customers or tenants whose uses are also exempted from rent or whose rent has been waived or reduced to zero (see §§ 2806.14 and 2806.15 of this subpart), BLM will charge rent, notwithstanding section 2806.31(b), based on the highest value use within the facility. This paragraph (b)(4) does not apply to facilities exempt from rent under § 2806.14(a)(4) except when the facility also includes ineligible facilities.

[70 FR 21058, Apr. 22, 2005, as amended at 81 FR 92217, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.35 - How will BLM calculate rent for private mobile radio service (PMRS), internal microwave, and “other” category uses?

If an entity engaged in a PMRS, internal microwave, or “other” use is:

(a) Using space in a facility owned by either a facility owner or facility manager, BLM will consider the entity to be a customer and not include these uses in the rent calculation for the facility; or

(b) The facility owner, BLM will follow the provisions in § 2806.31 of this subpart to calculate rent for a lease involving these uses. However, we include the rent from the rent schedule for a PMRS, internal microwave, or other use in the rental calculation only if the value of that use is equal to or greater than the value of any other use in the facility. BLM excludes these uses in the 25 percent calculation (see § 2806.31(a) of this subpart) when their value does not exceed the highest value in the facility.

§ 2806.36 - If I am a tenant or customer in a facility, must I have my own grant or lease and if so, how will this affect my rent?

(a) You may have your own authorization, but BLM does not require a separate grant or lease for tenants and customers using a facility authorized by a BLM grant or lease that contains a subleasing provision. BLM charges the facility owner or facility manager rent based on the highest value use within the facility (including any tenant or customer use authorized by a separate grant or lease) and 25 percent of the rent from the rent schedule for each of the other uses subject to rent (including any tenant or customer use a separate grant or lease authorizes and the facility owner's use if it is not the highest value use).

(b) If you own a building, equipment shelter, or tower on public lands for communication purposes, you must have an authorization under this part, even if you are also a tenant or customer in someone else's facility.

(c) BLM will charge tenants and customers who hold their own grant or lease in a facility, as grant or lease holders, the full annual rent for their use based on the BLM communication use rent schedule. BLM will also include such tenant or customer use in calculating the rent the facility owner or facility manager must pay.

§ 2806.37 - How will BLM calculate rent for a grant or lease involving an entity with a single use (holder or tenant) having equipment or occupying space in multiple BLM-authorized facilities to support that single use?

BLM will include the single use in calculating rent for each grant or lease authorizing that use. For example, a television station locates its antenna on a tower authorized by grant or lease “A” and locates its related broadcast equipment in a building authorized by grant or lease “B.” The statement listing tenants and customers for each facility (see § 2806.31(c) of this subpart) must include the television use because each facility is benefitting economically from having the television broadcast equipment located there, even though the combined equipment is supporting only one single end use.

§ 2806.38 - Can I combine multiple grants or leases for facilities located on one site into a single grant or lease?

If you hold authorizations for two or more facilities on the same site, you can combine all those uses under one grant or lease, with BLM's approval. The highest value use in all the combined facilities determines the base rent. BLM then charges for each remaining use in the combined facilities at 25 percent of the rent from the rent schedule. These uses include those uses we previously calculated as base rents when BLM authorized each of the facilities on an individual basis.

§ 2806.39 - How will BLM calculate rent for a lease for a facility manager's use?

(a) BLM will follow the provisions in § 2806.31 of this subpart to calculate rent for a lease involving a facility manager's use. However, we include the rent from the rent schedule for a facility manager's use in the rental calculation only if the value of that use is equal to or greater than the value of any other use in the facility. BLM excludes the facility manager's use in the 25 percent calculation (see § 2806.31(a) of this subpart) when its value does not exceed the highest value in the facility.

(b) If you are a facility owner and you terminate your use within the facility, but want to retain the lease for other purposes, BLM will continue to charge you for your authorized use until BLM amends the lease to change your use to facility manager or to some other communication use.

§ 2806.40 - How will BLM calculate rent for a grant or lease for ancillary communication uses associated with communication uses on the rent schedule?

If the ancillary communication equipment is used solely in direct support of the primary use (see the definition of communication use rent schedule in § 2801.5 of this part), BLM will calculate and charge rent only for the primary use.

§ 2806.41 - How will BLM calculate rent for communication facilities ancillary to a linear grant or other use authorization?

When a communication facility is ancillary to, and authorized by BLM under, a grant for a linear use, or some other type of use authorization (e.g., a mineral lease or sundry notice), BLM will determine the rent using the linear rent schedule (see § 2806.20 of this subpart) or rent scheme associated with the other authorization, and not the communication use rent schedule.

§ 2806.42 - How will BLM calculate rent for a grant or lease authorizing a communication use within a federally-owned communication facility?

(a) If you are an occupant of a federally-owned communication facility, you must have your own grant or lease and pay rent in accordance with these regulations.

(b) If a Federal agency holds a grant or lease and agrees to operate the facility as a facility owner under § 2806.31 of this subpart, occupants do not need a separate BLM grant or lease and BLM will calculate and charge rent to the Federal facility owner under §§ 2806.30 through 2806.44 of this subpart.

§ 2806.43 - How does BLM calculate rent for passive reflectors and local exchange networks?

(a) BLM calculates rent for passive reflectors and local exchange networks by using the same rent schedules for passive reflectors and local exchange networks as the Forest Service uses for the region in which the facilities are located. You may obtain the pertinent schedules from the Forest Service or from any BLM state or field office in the region in question. For passive reflectors and local exchange networks not covered by a Forest Service regional schedule, we use the provisions in § 2806.70 to determine rent. See Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR chapter II.

(b) For the purposes of this subpart, the term:

(1) Passive reflector includes various types of nonpowered reflector devices used to bend or ricochet electronic signals between active relay stations or between an active relay station and a terminal. A passive reflector commonly serves a microwave communication system. The reflector requires point-to-point line-of-sight with the connecting relay stations, but does not require electric power; and

(2) Local exchange network means radio service which provides basic telephone service, primarily to rural communities.

[70 FR 21058, Apr. 22, 2005, as amended at 81 FR 92217, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.44 - How will BLM calculate rent for a facility owner's or facility manager's grant or lease which authorizes communication uses?

This section applies to a grant or lease that authorizes a mixture of communication uses, some of which are subject to the communication use rent schedule and some of which are not. We will determine rent for these leases under the provisions of this section.

(a) The BLM establishes the rent for each of the uses in the facility that are not covered by the communication use rent schedule using § 2806.70.

(b) BLM establishes the rent for each of the uses in the facility that are covered by the rent schedule using §§ 2806.30 and 2806.31 of this subpart.

(c) BLM determines the facility owner or facility manager's rent by identifying the highest rent in the facility of those established under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, and adding to it 25 percent of the rent of all other uses subject to rent.

[70 FR 21058, Apr. 22, 2005, as amended at 81 FR 92217, Dec. 19, 2016]

Solar Energy Rights-of-Way

§ 2806.50 - Rents and fees for solar energy rights-of-way.

If you hold a right-of-way authorizing solar energy site-specific or project-area testing, or solar energy development, you must pay an annual rent and fee in accordance with this section and subpart. Your solar energy right-of-way authorization will either be a grant (if issued under subpart 2804) or a lease (if issued under subpart 2809). Rents and fees for either type of authorization consist of an acreage rent that must be paid prior to issuance of the authorization and a phased-in MW capacity fee. Both the acreage rent and the phased-in MW capacity fee are charged and calculated consistent with § 2806.11 and prorated consistent with § 2806.12(a). The MW capacity fee will vary depending on the size and technology of the solar energy development project.

[81 FR 92217, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.51 - Scheduled Rate Adjustment.

(a) The BLM will adjust your acreage rent and MW capacity fee over the course of your authorization as described in these regulations. For new grants or leases, you may choose either the standard rate adjustment method (see § 2806.52(a)(5) and (b)(3) for grants; see § 2806.54(a)(4) or (c) for leases) or the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.52(d) for grants; see § 2806.54(d) for leases). Once you select a rate adjustment method, that method will be fixed until you renew your grant or lease (see § 2807.22).

(b) For new grants or leases, if you select the scheduled rate adjustment method you must notify the BLM of your decision in writing. Your decision must be received by the BLM before your grant or lease is issued. If you do not select the scheduled rate adjustment method, the standard rate adjustment method will apply.

(c) If you hold a grant that is in effect prior to January 18, 2017, you may either accept the standard rate adjustment method or request in writing that the BLM apply the scheduled rate adjustment method, as set forth in § 2806.52(d), to your grant. To take advantage of the scheduled rate adjustment option, your request must be received by the BLM before December 19, 2018. The BLM will continue to apply the standard rate adjustment method to adjust your rates unless and until it receives your request to use the scheduled rate adjustment method.

[81 FR 92217, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.52 - Rents and fees for solar energy development grants.

You must pay an annual acreage rent and MW capacity fee for your solar energy development grant as follows:

(a) Acreage rent. The BLM will calculate the acreage rent by multiplying the number of acres (rounded up to the nearest tenth of an acre) within the authorized area times the annual per acre zone rate from the solar energy acreage rent schedule in effect at the time the authorization is issued.

(1) Per acre zone rate. The annual per acre zone rate from the solar energy acreage rent schedule is calculated using the per acre zone value (as assigned under paragraph (a)(2) of this section), encumbrance factor, rate of return, and the annual adjustment factor. The calculation for determining the annual per acre zone rate is A × B × C × D = E where:

(i) A is the per acre zone value = the same per acre zone values described in the linear rent schedule in § 2806.20(c);

(ii) B is the encumbrance factor = 100 percent;

(iii) C is the rate of return = 5.27 percent;

(iv) D is the annual adjustment factor = the average annual change in the IPD–GDP for the 10-year period immediately preceding the year that the NASS Census data becomes available (see § 2806.22(a)). The BLM will adjust the per acre zone rates each year based on the average annual change in the IPD–GDP as determined under § 2806.22(a). Adjusted rates are effective each year on January 1; and

(v) E is the annual per acre zone rate.

(2) Assignment of counties. The BLM will calculate the per acre zone rate in paragraph (a)(1) of this section by using a State-specific factor to assign a county to a zone in the solar energy acreage rent schedule. The BLM will calculate a State-specific factor and apply it to the NASS data (county average per acre land and building value) to determine the per acre value and assign a county (or other geographical area) to a zone. The State-specific factor represents the percent difference between improved agricultural land and unimproved rangeland values, using NASS data. The calculation for determining the State-specific factor is (A/B)−(C/D) = E where:

(i) A = the NASS Census statewide average per acre value of non-irrigated acres;

(ii) B = the NASS Census statewide average per acre land and building value;

(iii) C = the NASS Census total statewide acres in farmsteads, homes, buildings, livestock facilities, ponds, roads, wasteland, etc.;

(iv) D = the total statewide acres in farms; and

(v) E = the State-specific percent factor or 20 percent, whichever is greater.

(3) The initial assignment of counties to the zones on the solar energy acreage rent schedule will be based upon the most recent NASS Census data (2012) for years 2016 through 2020. The BLM may on its own or in response to requests consider making regional adjustments to those initial assignments, based on evidence that the NASS Census values do not accurately reflect the value of the BLM-managed lands in a given area. The BLM will update this rent schedule once every 5 years by re-assigning counties to reflect the updated NASS Census values as described in § 2806.21 and recalculate the State-specific percent factor once every 10 years as described in § 2806.22(b).

(4) Acreage rent payment. You must pay the acreage rent regardless of the stage of development or operations on the entire public land acreage described in the right-of-way authorization. The BLM State Director may approve a rental payment plan consistent with § 2806.15(c).

(5) Acreage rent adjustments. This paragraph (a)(5) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.51). The BLM will adjust the acreage rent annually to reflect the change in the per acre zone rates as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The BLM will use the most current per acre zone rates to calculate the acreage rent for each year of the grant term.

(6) You may obtain a copy of the current per acre zone rates for solar energy development (solar energy acreage rent schedule) from any BLM State, district, or field office or by writing: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Attention: Renewable Energy Coordination Office, Washington, DC 20003. The BLM also posts the current solar energy acreage rent schedule for solar energy development at http://www.blm.gov.

(b) MW capacity fee. The MW capacity fee is calculated by multiplying the approved MW capacity by the MW rate (for the applicable type of technology employed by the project) from the MW rate schedule (see paragraph (b)(2) of this section). You must pay the MW capacity fee annually when electricity generation begins or is scheduled to begin in the approved POD, whichever comes first:

(1) MW rate. The MW rate is calculated by multiplying the total hours per year, by the net capacity factor, by the MWh price, by the rate of return. For an explanation of each of these terms, see the definition of MW rate in § 2801.5(b).

(2) MW rate schedule. You may obtain a copy of the current MW rate schedule for solar energy development from any BLM State, district, or field office or by writing: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Attention: Renewable Energy Coordination Office, Washington, DC 20003. The BLM also posts the current MW rate schedule for solar energy development at http://www.blm.gov.

(3) Periodic adjustments in the MW rate. This paragraph (b)(3) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.51). The BLM will adjust the MW rate applicable to your grant every 5 years, beginning in 2021, by recalculating the following two components of the MW rate formula:

(i) The adjusted MWh price is the average of the annual weighted average wholesale price per MWh for the major trading hubs serving the 11 Western States of the continental United States for the full 5 calendar-year period preceding the adjustment, rounded to the nearest dollar increment; and

(ii) The adjusted rate of return is the 10-year average of the 20-year U.S. Treasury bond yield for the full 10 calendar-year period preceding the adjustment, rounded to the nearest one-tenth percent, with a minimum rate of return of 4 percent.

(4) MW rate phase-in. This paragraph (b)(4) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.51). If you hold a solar energy development grant, the MW rate will be phased in as follows:

(i) There is a 3-year phase-in of the MW rate when electricity generation begins or is scheduled to begin in the approved POD, whichever comes first, at the rates of:

(A) 25 percent for the first year. This rate applies for the first partial calendar year of operations, from the date electricity generation begins until Dec. 31 of that year;

(B) 50 percent for the second year; and

(C) 100 percent for the third and subsequent years of operations.

(ii) After generation of electricity starts and an approved POD provides for staged development:

(A) The 3-year phase-in of the MW rate applies to each stage of development; and

(B) The MW capacity fee is calculated using the authorized MW capacity approved for that stage plus any previously approved stages, multiplied by the MW rate.

(5) The general payment provisions for rents described in this subpart, except for § 2806.14(a)(4), also apply to the MW capacity fee.

(c) Initial implementation of the acreage rent and MW capacity fee. This paragraph (c) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.51). If you hold a solar energy grant and made payments for billing year 2016, the BLM will reduce by 50 percent the net increase in annual costs between billing year 2017 and billing year 2016. The net increase will be calculated based on a full calendar year.

(d) Scheduled rate adjustment. Under the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.51), the BLM will update your per acre zone rate and MW rate as follows:

(1) The BLM will calculate your payments using the per acre zone rate (see § 2806.52(a)(1)) and MW rate (see § 2806.52(b)(1)) in place when your grant is issued, or for existing grants, the per acre zone rate and MW rate in place prior to December 19, 2016, as adjusted under paragraph (d)(6) of this section;

(2) The per acre zone rate will increase:

(i) Annually, beginning after the first full calendar year plus any initial partial year following issuance of your grant, by the average annual change in the IPD–GDP as described in § 2806.22(b); and

(ii) Every 5 years, beginning after the first 5 calendar years, plus any initial partial year, following issuance of your grant, by 20 percent;

(3) The MW rate will increase by 20 percent every 5 years, beginning after the first 5 years, plus the initial partial year, if any, your grant is in effect;

(4) The BLM will not apply the phase-in to your MW rate under § 2806.52(b)(4) or the reduction under § 2806.52(c);

(5) If the approved POD for your project provides for staged development, the BLM will calculate the MW capacity fee using the MW capacity approved for the current stage plus any previously approved stages, multiplied by the MW rate, as described under this section.

(6) For grants in place prior to January 18, 2017 that select the scheduled rate adjustment method offered under § 2806.51(c), the per acre zone rate and the MW rate in place prior to December 19, 2016 will be adjusted for the first year's payment using the scheduled rate adjustment method as follows:

(i) The per acre zone rate will increase by the average annual change in the IPD–GDP as described in § 2806.22(b) plus 20 percent;

(ii) The MW rate will increase by 20 percent; and

(iii) Subsequent increases will be performed as set forth in paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) of this section from the date of the initial adjustment under this paragraph (d).

[81 FR 92217, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.54 - Rents and fees for solar energy development leases.

If you hold a solar energy development lease obtained through competitive bidding under subpart 2809 of this part, you must make annual payments in accordance with this section and subpart, in addition to the one-time, upfront bonus bid you paid to obtain the lease. The annual payment includes an acreage rent for the number of acres included within the solar energy lease and an additional MW capacity fee based on the total authorized MW capacity for the approved solar energy project on the public lands.

(a) Acreage rent. The BLM will calculate and bill you an acreage rent that must be paid prior to issuance of your lease as described in § 2806.52(a). This acreage rent will be based on the following:

(1) Per acre zone rate. See § 2806.52(a)(1).

(2) Assignment of counties. See § 2806.52(a)(2) and (3).

(3) Acreage rent payment. See § 2806.52(a)(4).

(4) Acreage rent adjustments. This paragraph (a)(4) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.51). Once the acreage rent is determined under § 2806.52(a), no further adjustments in the annual acreage rent will be made until year 11 of the lease term and each subsequent 10-year period thereafter. The BLM will use the per acre zone rates in effect when it adjusts the annual acreage rent at those 10-year intervals,

(b) MW capacity fee. See § 2806.52(b) introductory text and (b)(1), (2), and (3).

(c) MW rate phase-in. This paragraph (c) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.51). If you hold a solar energy development lease, the MW capacity fee will be phased in, starting when electricity begins to be generated. The MW capacity fee for years 1–20 will be calculated using the MW rate in effect when the lease is issued. The MW capacity fee for years 21–30 will be calculated using the MW rate in effect in year 21 of the lease. These rates will be phased-in as follows:

(1) For years 1 through 10 of the lease, plus any initial partial year, the MW capacity fee is calculated by multiplying the project's authorized MW capacity by 50 percent of the applicable solar technology MW rate, as described in § 2806.52(b)(2).

(2) For years 11 through 20 of the lease, the MW capacity fee is calculated by multiplying the project's authorized MW capacity by 100 percent of the applicable solar technology MW rate, as described in § 2806.52(b)(2).

(3) For years 21 through 30 of the lease, the MW capacity fee is calculated by multiplying the project's authorized MW capacity by 100 percent of the applicable solar technology MW rate, as described in § 2806.52(b)(2).

(4) If the lease is renewed, the MW capacity fee is calculated using the MW rates at the beginning of the renewed lease period and will remain at that rate through the initial 10-year period of the renewal term. The MW capacity fee will be adjusted using the MW rate at the beginning of each subsequent 10-year period of the renewed lease term.

(5) If an approved POD provides for staged development, the MW capacity fee is calculated using the MW capacity approved for that stage plus any previously approved stages, multiplied by the MW rate as described under this section.

(d) Scheduled rate adjustment. Under the scheduled rate adjustment (see § 2806.51), the BLM will update your per acre zone rate and MW rate as follows:

(1) The BLM will calculate your payments using the per acre zone rate (see § 2806.52(a)(1)) and MW rate (see § 2806.52(b)(1)) in place when your lease is issued;

(2) The per acre zone rate will increase every 10 years, beginning after the first 10 years, plus the initial partial year, if any, your lease is in effect, by the average annual change in the IPD–GDP for the preceding 10-year period as described in § 2806.22(b) plus 40 percent;

(3) The MW rate will increase by 40 percent every 10 years, beginning after the first 10 years, plus the initial partial year, if any, your lease is in effect;

(4) The BLM will not apply the phase-in to your MW rate under § 2806.52(c). Instead, for years 1 through 5, plus any initial partial year, the BLM will calculate the MW capacity fee by multiplying the project's authorized MW capacity by 50 percent of the applicable solar technology MW rate. This phase-in will not be applied to renewed leases; and

(5) If the approved POD for your project provides for staged development, the BLM will calculate the MW capacity fee using the MW capacity approved for the current stage plus any previously approved stages, multiplied by the MW rate, as described under this section.

[81 FR 92217, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.56 - Rent for support facilities authorized under separate grant(s).

If a solar energy development project includes separate right-of-way authorizations issued for support facilities only (administration building, groundwater wells, construction lay down and staging areas, surface water management and control structures, etc.) or linear right-of-way facilities (pipelines, roads, power lines, etc.), rent is determined using the Per Acre Rent Schedule for linear facilities (see § 2806.20(c)).

[81 FR 92217, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.58 - Rent for energy development testing grants.

(a) Grants for energy site-specific testing. You must pay $100 per year for each meteorological tower or instrumentation facility location. BLM offices with approved small site rental schedules may use those fee structures if the fees in those schedules charge more than $100 per meteorological tower per year. In lieu of annual payments, you may instead pay for the entire term of the grant (3 years or less).

(b) Grants for energy project-area testing. You must pay $2,000 per year or $2 per acre per year for the lands authorized by the grant, whichever is greater. There is no additional rent for the installation of each meteorological tower or instrumentation facility located within the site testing and monitoring project-area.

[81 FR 92217, Dec. 19, 2016]

Wind Energy Rights-of-Way

§ 2806.60 - Rents and fees for wind energy rights-of-way.

If you hold a right-of-way authorizing wind energy site-specific testing or project-area testing or wind energy development, you must pay an annual rent and fee in accordance with this section and subpart. Your wind energy development right-of-way authorization will either be a grant (if issued under subpart 2804) or a lease (if issued under subpart 2809). Rents and fees for either type of authorization consist of an acreage rent that must be paid prior to issuance of the authorization and a phased-in MW capacity fee. Both the acreage rent and the phased-in MW capacity fee are charged and calculated consistent with § 2806.11 and prorated consistent with § 2806.12(a). The MW capacity fee will vary depending on the size of the wind energy development project.

[81 FR 92220, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.61 - Scheduled Rate Adjustment.

(a) The BLM will adjust your acreage rent and MW capacity fee over the course of your authorization as described in these regulations. For new grants or leases, you may choose either the standard rate adjustment method (see § 2806.52(a)(5) and (b)(3) for grants; see § 2806.54(a)(4) or (c) for leases) or the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.52(d) for grants; see § 2806.54(d) for leases). Once you select a rate adjustment method, that method will be fixed until you renew your grant or lease (see § 2807.22).

(b) For new grants or leases, if you select the scheduled rate adjustment method you must notify the BLM of your decision in writing. Your decision must be received by the BLM before your grant or lease is issued. If you do not select the scheduled rate adjustment method, the standard rate adjustment method will apply.

(c) If you hold a grant that is in effect prior to January 18, 2017, you may either accept the standard rate adjustment method or request in writing that the BLM apply the scheduled rate adjustment method, as set forth in § 2806.52(d), to your grant. To take advantage of the scheduled rate adjustment option, your request must be received by the BLM before December 19, 2018. The BLM will continue to apply the standard rate adjustment method to adjust your rates unless and until it receives your request to use the scheduled rate adjustment method.

[81 FR 92220, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.62 - Rents and fees for wind energy development grants.

You must pay an annual acreage rent and MW capacity fee for your wind energy development grant as follows:

(a) Acreage rent. The BLM will calculate the acreage rent by multiplying the number of acres (rounded up to the nearest tenth of an acre) within the authorized area times the per acre zone rate from the wind energy acreage rent schedule in effect at the time the authorization is issued.

(1) Per acre zone rate. The annual per acre zone rate from the wind energy acreage rent schedule is calculated using the per acre zone value (as assigned in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section), encumbrance factor, rate of return, and the annual adjustment factor. The calculation for determining the annual per acre zone rate is A × B × C × D = E where:

(i) A is the per acre zone value = the same per- acre zone values described in the linear rent schedule in § 2806.20(c);

(ii) B is the encumbrance factor = 10 percent;

(iii) C is the rate of return = 5.27 percent;

(iv) D is the annual adjustment factor = the average annual change in the IPD–GDP for the 10-year period immediately preceding the year that the NASS Census data becomes available (see § 2806.22(a)). The BLM will adjust the per acre rates each year based on the average annual change in the IPD–GDP as determined under § 2806.22(a). Adjusted rates are effective each year on January 1; and

(v) E is the annual per acre zone rate.

(2) Assignment of counties. The BLM will calculate the per acre zone rate in paragraph (a)(1) of this section by using a State-specific factor to assign a county to a zone in the wind energy acreage rent schedule. The BLM will calculate a State-specific factor and apply it to the NASS data (county average per acre land and building value) to determine the per acre value and assign a county (or other geographical area) to a zone. The State-specific factor represents the percent difference between improved agricultural land and unimproved rangeland values, using NASS data. The calculation per acre for determining the State-specific factor is (A/B)−(C/D) = E where:

(i) A = the NASS Census statewide average per acre value of non-irrigated acres;

(ii) B = the NASS Census statewide average per acre land and building value;

(iii) C = the NASS Census total statewide acres in farmsteads, homes, buildings, livestock facilities, ponds, roads, wasteland, etc.;

(iv) D = the total statewide acres in farms; and

(v) E = the State-specific percent factor or 20 percent, whichever is greater.

(3) The initial assignment of counties to the zones on the wind energy acreage rent schedule will be based upon the most recent NASS Census data (2012) for years 2016 through 2020. The BLM may on its own or in response to requests consider making regional adjustments to those initial assignments, based on evidence that the NASS Census values do not accurately reflect those of the BLM-managed lands. The BLM will update this rent schedule once every 5 years by re-assigning counties to reflect the updated NASS Census values as described in § 2806.21 and recalculate the State-specific percent factor once every 10 years as described in § 2806.22(b).

(4) Acreage rent payment. You must pay the acreage rent regardless of the stage of development or operations on the entire public land acreage described in the right-of-way authorization. The BLM State Director may approve a rental payment plan consistent with § 2806.15(c).

(5) Acreage rent adjustments. This paragraph (a)(5) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.61). The BLM will adjust the acreage rent annually to reflect the change in the per acre zone rates as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The BLM will use the most current per acre zone rates to calculate the acreage rent for each year of the grant term.

(6) The acreage rent must be paid as described in § 2806.62(a) except for the initial implementation of the wind energy acreage rent schedule of section § 2806.62(c).

(7) You may obtain a copy of the current per acre zone rates for wind energy development (wind energy acreage rent schedule) from any BLM State, district, or field office or by writing: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Attention: Renewable Energy Coordination Office, Washington, DC 20003. The BLM also posts the current wind energy acreage rent schedule for wind energy development at http://www.blm.gov.

(b) MW capacity fee. The MW capacity fee is calculated by multiplying the approved MW capacity by the MW rate. You must pay the MW capacity fee annually when electricity generation begins or is scheduled to begin in the approved POD, whichever comes first.

(1) MW rate. The MW rate is calculated by multiplying the total hours per year by the net capacity factor, by the MWh price, by the rate of return. For an explanation of each of these terms, see the definition of MW rate in § 2801.5(b).

(2) MW rate schedule. You may obtain a copy of the current MW rate schedule for wind energy development from any BLM State, district, or field office or by writing: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Attention: Renewable Energy Coordination Office, Washington, DC 20003. The BLM also posts the current MW rate schedule for wind energy development at http://www.blm.gov.

(3) Periodic adjustments in the MW rate. This paragraph (b)(3) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.61). We will adjust the MW rate every 5 years, beginning in 2021, by recalculating the following two components of the MW rate formula:

(i) The adjusted MWh price is the average of the annual weighted average wholesale price per MWh for the major trading hubs serving the 11 Western States of the continental United States for the full 5 calendar-year period preceding the adjustment, rounded to the nearest dollar increment; and

(ii) The adjusted rate of return is the 10-year average of the 20-year U.S. Treasury bond yield for the full 10 calendar-year period preceding the adjustment, rounded to the nearest one-tenth percent, with a minimum rate of return of 4 percent.

(4) MW rate phase-in. This paragraph (b)(4) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.61). If you hold a wind energy development grant, the MW rate will be phased in as follows:

(i) There is a 3-year phase-in of the MW rate when electricity generation begins or is scheduled to begin in the approved POD, whichever comes first, at the rates of:

(A) 25 percent for the first year. This rate applies for the first partial calendar year of operations;

(B) 50 percent for the second year; and

(C) 100 percent for the third and subsequent years of operations.

(ii) After generation of electricity starts and an approved POD provides for staged development:

(A) The 3-year phase-in of the MW rate applies to each stage of development; and

(B) The MW capacity fee is calculated using the authorized MW capacity approved for that stage, plus any previously approved stages, multiplied by the MW rate.

(iii) The MW rate may be phased in further, as described in paragraph (c) of this section.

(5) The general payment provisions for rents described in this subpart, except for § 2806.14(a)(4), also apply to the MW capacity fee.

(c) Initial implementation of the acreage rent and MW capacity fee. This paragraph (c) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.61).

(1) If you hold a wind energy grant and made payments for billing year 2016, the BLM will reduce by 50 percent the net increase in annual costs between billing year 2017 and billing year 2016. The net increase will be calculated based on a full calendar year.

(2) If the BLM accepted your application for a wind energy development grant, including a plan of development and cost recovery agreement, prior to September 30, 2014, the BLM will phase in your payment of the acreage rent and MW capacity fee by reducing the:

(i) Acreage rent of the grant by 50 percent for the initial partial year of the grant; and

(ii) MW capacity fee by 75 percent for the first (initial partial) and second years and by 50 percent for the third and fourth years for which the BLM requires payment of the MW capacity fee. This reduction to the MW capacity fee applies to each stage of development.

(d) Scheduled rate adjustment. Under the scheduled rate adjustment (see § 2806.61), the BLM will update your per acre zone rate and MW rate as follows:

(1) The BLM will calculate your payments using the per acre zone rate (see § 2806.62(a)(1)) and MW rate (see § 2806.62(b)(1)) in place when your grant is issued, or for existing grants, the per acre zone rate and MW rate in place prior to December 19, 2016, as adjusted under paragraph (d)(6) of this section;

(2) The per acre zone rate will increase:

(i) Annually, beginning after the first full year plus the initial partial year, if any, your grant is in effect by the average annual change in the IPD–GDP as described in § 2806.22(b); and

(ii) Every 5 years, beginning after the first 5 years, plus the initial partial year, if any, your grant is in effect, by 20 percent;

(3) The MW rate will increase by 20 percent every 5 years, beginning after the first 5 years, plus the initial partial year, if any, your grant is in effect;

(4) The BLM will not apply the phase-in to your MW rate under § 2806.62(b)(4) or the reduction under § 2806.62(c); and

(5) If the approved POD for your project provides for staged development, the BLM will calculate the MW capacity fee using the MW capacity approved for that stage in question plus any previously approved stages, multiplied by the MW rate as described under this section.

(6) For grants in place prior to January 18, 2017 that select the scheduled rate adjustment method offered under § 2806.61(c), the per acre zone rate and the MW rate in place prior to December 19, 2016 will be adjusted for the first year's payment using the scheduled rate adjustment method as follows:

(i) The per acre zone rate will increase by the average annual change in the IPD–GDP as described in § 2806.22(b) plus 20 percent;

(ii) The MW rate will increase by 20 percent; and

(iii) Subsequent increases will be performed as set forth in paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) of this section from the date of the initial adjustment under paragraph (d)(6) of this section.

[81 FR 92220, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.64 - Rents and fees for wind energy development leases.

If you hold a wind energy development lease obtained through competitive bidding under subpart 2809 of this part, you must make annual payments in accordance with this section and subpart, in addition to the one-time, up front bonus bid you paid to obtain the lease. The annual payment includes an acreage rent for the number of acres included within the wind energy lease and an additional MW capacity fee based on the total authorized MW capacity for the approved wind energy project on the public lands.

(a) Acreage rent. The BLM will calculate and bill you an acreage rent that must be paid prior to issuance of your lease as described in § 2806.62(a). This acreage rent will be based on the following:

(1) Per acre zone rate. See § 2806.62(a)(1).

(2) Assignment of counties. See § 2806.62(a)(2) and (3).

(3) Acreage rent payment. See § 2806.62(a)(4).

(4) Acreage rent adjustments. This paragraph (a)(4) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.61). Once the acreage rent is determined under § 2806.62(a), no further adjustments in the annual acreage rent will be made until year 11 of the lease term and each subsequent 10-year period thereafter. We will use the per acre zone rates in effect at the time the acreage rent is due (at the beginning of each 10-year period) to calculate the annual acreage rent for each of the subsequent 10-year periods.

(b) MW capacity fee. See § 2806.62(b) introductory text and (b)(1), (2), and (3).

(c) MW rate phase-in. This paragraph (c) applies unless you selected the scheduled rate adjustment method (see § 2806.61). If you hold a wind energy development lease, the MW capacity fee will be phased in, starting when electricity begins to be generated. The MW capacity fee for years 1–20 will be calculated using the MW rate in effect when the lease is issued. The MW capacity fee for years 21–30 will be calculated using the MW rate in effect in year 21 of the lease. These rates will be phased-in as follows:

(1) For years 1 through 10 of the lease, plus any initial partial year, the MW capacity fee is calculated by multiplying the project's authorized MW capacity by 50 percent of the wind energy technology MW rate, as described in § 2806.62(b)(2);

(2) For years 11 through 20 of the lease, the MW capacity fee is calculated by multiplying the project's authorized MW capacity by 100 percent of the wind energy technology MW rate described in § 2806.62(b)(2);

(3) For years 21 through 30 of the lease, the MW capacity fee is calculated by multiplying the project's authorized MW capacity by 100 percent of the wind energy technology MW rate as described in § 2806.62(b)(2);

(4) If the lease is renewed, the MW capacity fee is calculated using the MW rates at the beginning of the renewed lease period and will remain at that rate through the initial 10 year period of the renewal term. The MW capacity fee will continue to adjust at the beginning of each subsequent 10 year period of the renewed lease term to reflect the then currently applicable MW rates; and

(5) If an approved POD provides for staged development, the MW capacity fee is calculated using the MW capacity approved for that stage plus any previously approved stage, multiplied by the MW rate, as described in this section.

(d) Scheduled rate adjustment. Under the scheduled rate adjustment (see § 2806.61), the BLM will update your per acre zone rate and MW rate as follows:

(1) The BLM will calculate your payments using the per acre zone rate (see § 2806.62(a)(1)) and MW rate (see § 2806.62(b)(1)) in place when your lease is issued;

(2) The per acre zone rate will increase every 10 years, beginning after the first 10 years, plus the initial partial year, if any, your lease is in effect, by the average annual change in the IPD–GDP for the preceding 10-year period as described in § 2806.22(b) plus 40 percent;

(3) The MW rate will increase by 40 percent every 10 years, beginning after the first 10 years, plus the initial partial year, if any, your lease is in effect;

(4) The BLM will not apply the phase-in to your MW rate under § 2806.62(c). Instead, for years 1 through 5, plus any initial partial year, the BLM will calculate the MW capacity fee by multiplying the project's authorized MW capacity by 50 percent of the applicable solar technology MW rate. This phase-in will not be applied to renewed leases; and

(5) If the approved POD for your project provides for staged development, the BLM will calculate the MW capacity fee using the MW capacity approved for that stage in question plus any previously approved stages, multiplied by the MW rate as described under this section.

[81 FR 92220, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.66 - Rent for support facilities authorized under separate grant(s).

If a wind energy development project includes separate right-of-way authorizations issued for support facilities only (administration building, groundwater wells, construction lay down and staging areas, surface water management, and control structures, etc.) or linear right-of-way facilities (pipelines, roads, power lines, etc.), rent is determined using the Per Acre Rent Schedule for linear facilities (see § 2806.20(c)).

[81 FR 92220, Dec. 19, 2016]

§ 2806.68 - Rent for energy development testing grants.

(a) Grant for energy site-specific testing. You must pay $100 per year for each meteorological tower or instrumentation facility location. BLM offices with approved small site rental schedules may use those fee structures if the fees in those schedules charge more than $100 per meteorological tower per year. In lieu of annual payments, you may instead pay for the entire term of the grant (3 years or less).

(b) Grant for energy project-area testing. You must pay $2,000 per year or $2 per acre per year for the lands authorized by the grant, whichever is greater. There is no additional rent for the installation of each meteorological tower or instrumentation facility located within the site testing and monitoring project area.

[81 FR 92220, Dec. 19, 2016]

Other Rights-of-Way

§ 2806.70 - How will the BLM determine the payment for a grant or lease when the linear, communication use, solar energy, or wind energy payment schedules do not apply?

When we determine that the linear, communication use, solar, or wind energy payment schedules do not apply, we may determine your payment through a process based on comparable commercial practices, appraisals, competitive bids, or other reasonable methods. We will notify you in writing of the payment determination. If you disagree with the payment determination, you may appeal our final determination under § 2801.10.

[81 FR 92222, Dec. 19, 2016]