Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
BLM administers 245 million acres of U.S. public lands, or one tenth of the U.S. land base. Of these, 99.4 percent are in the 11 Western states or Alaska. BLM administers more surface land and more sub-surface mineral estate (700 million acres) than any other government agency in the U.S. To date, BLM has issued 3,800 wireless authorizations.
An applicant seeking to site communications facilities on BLM land or to access towers owned or managed by BLM will follow the steps outlined in BLM’s permitting process flow chart.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
BIA is the lead federal agency responsible for improving the lives and protecting the trust assets of American Indians, Indian tribes, and Alaska natives through services and relationships. BIA grants rights-of-way over American Indian-owned lands with the consent of the Indian owner (tribal or individual).
An applicant seeking to site communications facilities on BIA land or to access towers owned or managed by BIA will follow the steps outlined in BIA’s permitting process flow chart.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)
Established in 1902, Reclamation is a water management agency operating in the 17 western states that supplies irrigation, municipal, and industrial water and produces hydropower. It has constructed more than 600 dams and reservoirs, making it the largest wholesaler of water in the U.S. Through its 76 hydropower facilities, Reclamation is the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the U.S. Reclamation manages a wide variety of facilities, waterbodies and 7.8 million acres of land interest directly or through its Managing Partners. Broadband facilities and other telecommunications uses are permitted to third parties when the use is consistent with Reclamation’s mission.
An applicant seeking to site communications facilities on Reclamation land or to access towers owned or managed by Reclamation will follow the steps outlined in Reclamation’s permitting process flow chart.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
FWS is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. FWS manages about 89.1 million acres of federal land, of which 86 percent are in Alaska. FWS manages the National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 544 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 Fish and Wildlife Management offices and 81 ecological services field stations.
An applicant seeking to site communications facilities on FWS land or to access towers owned or managed by FWS will follow the steps outlined in FWS’ permitting process flow chart.
Contact the manager of the applicable National Wildlife Refuge System
National Park Service (NPS)
NPS is responsible for protecting the Nation’s national parks and monuments, and conserving the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife therein. The National Park System of the United States comprises over 410 areas covering more than 83 million acres in every state, plus the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. NPS units include national parks, national monuments, national historic sites, national recreation areas and national battlefields.
An applicant seeking to site communications facilities on NPS land or to access towers owned or managed by NPS will follow the steps outlined in NPS’ permitting process flow chart.