Applying Updated Rent Schedule for Linear Rights-of-Way

The BLM updates and maintains its linear ROW rent schedule in accordance with 43 CFR §§ 2806.20-2806.22. This PIM communicates to all BLM offices the process the BLM will follow when making updates to the linear rent schedule and provides guidance on the use of the resulting rent schedule. 

Every ten years, under 43 CFR § 2806.22(a), the BLM adjusts the per-acre rent values based on the average annual change in the Implicit Price Deflator – Gross Domestic Product (IPD-GDP) for the preceding ten-year period and establishes an annual adjustment factor to cover the following ten years. Additionally, every ten years, the BLM may revise the number of county zones and the per‑acre zone values, as authorized under 43 CFR § 2806.22(b), based on its review of the latest National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) census data. Every five years, under 43 CFR § 2806.21, the BLM may adjust the assignment of counties (or other geographical areas) to appropriate zones using the latest NASS census data. 

The linear rent schedule, reflecting those various assignments and adjustments, and including the annual per-acre rent rate for each zone and the annual adjustment factor is published on www.blm.gov as the “Per-Acre Linear Rent Schedule for Calendar Years [2026-2035].” Zone assignments for each county and geographical area of the United States are published on www.blm.gov as the “National Agricultural Statistic Service adjusted land and building values for years [2017 and 2022].” The timeframes covered will be updated in each subsequent publication.

Billing for Linear Rent Schedule Updates (including 2026): All BLM Field Offices and OC-625 must use the linear rent schedule published on www.blm.gov when calculating linear-type ROW authorization rents, issuing final bills, and as otherwise required under 43 CFR Part 2800. All BLM Field Offices and OC-625 must use the BLM’s official billing system, currently the Mineral and Land Records System, to create all linear ROW bills. Where estimated rents are assessed to expedite the processing and issuance of a ROW, a revised bill must be sent to holders if any adjustments are necessary once an updated rent schedule that covers the relevant year is available. The BLM should not assess late fees and penalties if holders comply with the due dates stated in their final bill. The BLM may assess late fees and penalties, as provided by applicable law and regulation, for a ROW holder’s failure to remit timely payment. 

The BLM State Director has discretion to waive or reduce a holder’s annual rent if certain criteria are met, including if the State Director determines that paying the full rent would cause the holder undue hardship and it is in the public interest to waive or reduce the rent. 43 CFR 2806.15.