Weaknesses in BLM’s Management of Renewable Energy Applications

We recommend that BLM develop and implement internal control policies and procedures, including assigning management oversight, to ensure ROW application files for renewable energy development are complete, data system information pertaining to ROW applications for renewable energy development is accurate, and staff are compliant with BLM's policies for renewable energy development applications.

We recommend that BLM develop and implement policies and procedures, including assigning management oversight, to ensure staff assess and document checks for outstanding unpaid debts owed to the Federal Government.

We recommend that BLM develop a plan to identify potential methods for accessing information to ensure checks for outstanding unpaid debts owed to the Federal Government are completed and documented as required by 43 C.F.R Part 2800.

We recommend that BLM verify that staff assesses and documents applicants' technical and financial capabilities, checks for outstanding unpaid debts owed to the Federal Government, and checks for trespass actions pending for activity on BLM-administered lands for all pending ROW applications identified in Appendix 4 of this report.

We recommend that BLM complete an analysis to determine an appropriate timeframe for initially screening ROW applications and develop and implement policies and procedures that include the timeframe determined for initially screening applications.