Rights-of-Way and Business Leasing for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Telecommunication and Renewable Energy Projects Policy Briefing

On April 15, 2022, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) issued NPM-TRUS-44, “Streamlining the Rights-of-Way (ROW) and Business Lease Application Process for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Telecommunication, and Renewable Energy Projects.” This national policy memorandum removed regulatory barriers and standardized the rights-of-way (ROWs) and business leasing application process for infrastructure, broadband and renewable energy projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The BIA Division of Real Estate Services (DRES) hosted two online video briefings on June 21, 2022, and June 23, 2022, to assist BIA staff, Tribes, as well as Federal partners and industry developers, to use the updated ROW and business leasing processes to access funding opportunities for infrastructure, telecommunications and renewable energy projects.

Both video briefings were recorded and can be accessed at the links below:

HEARTH Act Training

Under the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Home Ownership Act of 2012 (HEARTH Act), federally-recognized Tribes may develop their own leasing regulations consistent with 25 CFR 162. Once these Tribal leasing regulations are approved by the Department of the Interior, the Tribe may approve future individual leases on Tribal land without BIA approval, increasing the speed and efficiency of the leasing process.

On July 6, 2022, and July 7, 2022, DRES held a series of training sessions for Tribes to review HEARTH Act policies and the process for approving Tribal leasing regulations. Both video training sessions were recorded and are available at the links below:

On January 25, 2023, DRES held a training session for Tribal lenders to learn more about the HEARTH Act. The training session was recorded and is available at the link below:

Contact Us

Division of Real Estate Services
1001 Indian School Road, NW, Box #44
Albuquerque, NM 87104
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MDT, Monday-Friday