(a) Application.

(1) No special form of application is required. The application should state the purpose for which the right-of-way is being requested together with the length, width on each side of the centerline, and the estimated acreage. Applications, including exhibits, must be filed in triplicate with the Regional Director for the region in which the State is located. A list of States in each region and the addresses of the regional offices are provided at 50 CFR 2.2.

(2)

(i) All applications filed pursuant to this subpart in the name of individuals, corporations, or associations must be accompanied by a nonreturnable application fee. No application fee will be required of (A) State of local governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof except as to rights-of-way, easements or permits under section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by Pub. L. 93-153, or (B) Federal Government agencies.

(ii) Application fees will be in accordance with the following schedule:

(A) For linear facilities (e.g., powerlines, pipelines, roads, etc.).

(B) For nonlinear facilities, $250 for each 40 acres or fraction thereof.

(C) Where an application includes both linear and nonlinear facilities, payment will be the aggregate of amounts under paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section.

(D) When an application is received, the Regional Director will estimate the costs expected to be incurred in processing the application. If the estimated costs exceed the payments under paragraph (a)(2)(ii) (A), (B), or (C) of this section by an amount greater than the cost of maintaining actual cost records, the Regional Director shall require the applicant to make periodic payments in advance of the incurrence of such costs by the United States except for the last payment which will reflect final reimbursement for actual costs of the United States in processing the application. Overpayments may be refunded or adjusted by the Regional Director as appropriate.

(E) The Regional Director shall, on request by an applicant or prospective applicant, give an estimate based on the best available cost information, of the costs which would be incurred by the United States in processing an application. However, reimbursement will not be limited to the estimate of the Regional Director if the actual costs exceed the estimate. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult with the Regional Director in advance of filing an application in regard to probable costs and other requirements.

(3)

(i) By accepting an easement or permit under this subpart, the holder agrees to reimburse the United States for reasonable costs incurred by the Fish and Wildlife Service in monitoring the construction, operation, maintenance, and termination of facillities within or adjacent to the easement or permit area. No reimbursement of monitoring costs will be required of (A) State or local governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof except as to right-of-way, easements, or permits granted under section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 as amended by Pub. L. 93-153, or (B) Federal Government agencies.

(ii) Within 60 days of the issuance of an easement or permit the holder must submit a nonreturnable payment in accordance with the following:

(A) For linear facilities e.g., powerlines, pipelines, roads, etc.).

(B) For nonlinear facilities, $100 for each 40 acres or fraction thereof.

(C) Where an easement or permit includes both linear and nonlinear facilities, payment will be the aggregate amounts under paragraph (a)(3)(2)(ii) (A) and (B) of this section.

(D) When an easement or permit is granted the Regional Director shall estimate the costs, based on the best available cost information, expected to be incurred by the United States in monitoring holder activity. If the estimated costs exceed the payments under paragraph (a)(3)(2) (ii), (A), (B), or (C) of this section by an amount which is greater than the cost of maintaining actual cost records for the monitoring process, the Regional Director shall require the holder to make periodic payments of the estimated reimbursable costs prior to the incurrence of such costs by the United States. Overpayments may be refunded or adjusted by the Regional Director as appropriate.

(E) Following the termination of an easement or permit, the former holder will be required to pay additional amounts to the extent the actual costs to the United States have exceeded the payments required by paragraphs (a)(3)(ii)(A), (B), and (C) of this section.

(4) All applications filed pursuant to this subpart must include a detailed environmental analysis which shall include information concerning the impact of the proposed use of the environment including the impact on air and water quality; scenic and esthetic features; historic, architectural, archeological, and cultural features; wildlife, fish and marine life, etc. The analysis shall include sufficient data so as to enable the Service to prepare an environmental assessment and/or impact statement in accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and comply with the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.), the Archeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 469 et seq.), Executive Order 11593 “Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment” of May 13, 1971 (36 FR 8921), and “Procedures for the Protection of Historic and Cultural Properties” (36 CFR, part 800). Concerning the National Environmental Policy Act, the Regional Director may, at his discretion, rely on an environmental assessment or impact statement prepared by a “lead agency.”

(b) Maps. A map or plat must accompany each copy of the application and must show the right-of-way in such detail that the right-of-way can be accurately located on the ground. Ties to Service land boundary corner monuments or some prominent cultural features which can be readily recognized and recovered should be shown where the right-of-way enters and leaves Service project land together with courses and distances of the centerline. The width of the right-of-way on each side of the centerline together with the acreage included within the right-of-way or site must also be shown. If the right-of-way or site is located wholly within Service project land, a tie to a Government corner or prominent cultural feature which can be readily recognized and recovered should be shown.

[31 FR 16026, Dec. 15, 1966, as amended at 42 FR 43917, Aug. 31, 1977; 44 FR 42976, July 23, 1979; 48 FR 31655, July 11, 1983; 77 FR 5715, Feb. 6, 2012; 78 FR 35152, June 12, 2013]