A Right-of-Way (ROW) grant is an authorization to use a specific piece of public land for a certain project, such as a road, pipeline, transmission line, or communication site. A ROW grant authorizes rights and privileges for a specific use of the land for a specific period of time. Generally, a BLM ROW is granted for a term appropriate for the life of the project.

The vast majority of the ROWs granted are authorized by Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. 1761-1771) and the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) (Section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended , 43 U.S.C. 185). It is the policy of the BLM to authorize all ROW applications at the discretion of the authorized officer in the most efficient and economical manner possible.

FLPMA Rights-of-Way: As authorized by FLPMA, BLM will issue ROW grants for electrical power generation, transmission and distribution systems, systems for the transmission and reception of electronic signals and other means of communications, highways, railroads, pipelines (other than oil and gas pipelines) and other facilities or systems which are in the public interest.

Mineral Leasing Act Rights-of-Way: As authorized by MLA, BLM will issue ROW grants for oil and natural gas gathering, and distribution pipelines and related facilities (not authorized by appropriate leases) and oil and natural gas transmission pipeline and related facilities

In Alaska, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is an example of a right-of-way grant under this authority. TAPS is an 800-mile pipeline that extends from Alaska's North Slope south to Valdez on Prince William Sound. Natural gas pipelines are also being proposed.

More information can be found at the BLM national web site: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy/cost_recovery_regulations/what_s_new.html