Transmittal of National Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service

IB 2013-074
Information Bulletin

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
May 30, 2013

In Reply Refer To:
2800 (301) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 06/04/2013
Information Bulletin No. 2013-074

To:                   All Field Office Officials

From:               Assistant Director, Minerals and Realty Management

Subject:           Transmittal of National Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service

This Information Bulletin (IB) transmits a new cost recovery National Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).  This MOU, dated May 6, 2013, establishes the protocol that the BLM and the FWS will use for right-of-way cost recovery determinations, and funds and facilitates project-specific agreements between the BLM and the FWS when using the cost reimbursable authority as delegated under Secretarial Order 3327. 

The MOU describes the purposes, scope, and procedures that the BLM and the FWS will follow when using the newly delegated authority.  Secretarial Order 3327 delegates the authorities for reimbursement of reasonable costs authorized under Sections 304(b) and 504(g) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 to all bureaus and offices within the Department of the Interior.  The Secretarial Order establishes the BLM as the lead agency to oversee the determination, management, and collection of fees, and, in consultation with other bureaus and offices, develop interagency procedures for the disbursement of funds on behalf of the respective bureaus and offices within the Department of the Interior.

Please review this MOU closely and become familiar with the purpose, scope, and procedures described.  In particular, understand that the BLM and the FWS will not use this MOU in all interactions with the FWS for right-of-way applications submitted to the BLM under Title V of FLPMA for the use of public lands.  This is not the intention of the MOU.  The BLM authorized officer, in consultation with the FWS, should determine if it is appropriate to use the delegated FLPMA authorities and the procedures outlined in the MOU for a specific right-of-way application.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 202-208-4201, or your staff may contact Ray Brady, National Renewable Energy Coordination Office Manager (WO-301), at 202-912-7312 or Jayme Lopez, National Renewable Energy Coordination Office Lead (WO-301), at 202-912-7547.

Signed by:                                                       Authenticated by:

Michael Nedd                                                 Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director                                           Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Minerals and Realty Management

2 Attachments

1 – Secretarial Order 3327 (2 pp)

2 – Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regarding Rights-of-way under Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and Cost Reimbursement (10 pp)