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7-2540 OMB Control No.: 1006-0003

Bureau of Reclamation OMB Expiration Date: 09-30-2015

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION USE AUTHORIZATION APPLICATION

Applicants: Use this form to apply for possession or occupancy of, or for extraction or disturbance of natural resources from land, facilities, or 

waterbodies under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). For examples of uses requiring Reclamation authorization, and for 

information concerning other uses, see "General Information" on the next page.

Fill out the following application completely. Use “N/A” if a question does not apply. If additional space is needed, attach separate sheet(s) 

of paper, as necessary. Refer to the second page of this form for detailed instructions. 

1. Information about the applicant requesting the use: 

Applicant or Representative:

Company or Entity Name:

Address:

City, State, and Zip Code:

Telephone Numbers 

(include area code):

Day: Evening: FAX: Email address:

Tax ID or Social Security Number (as applicable):

2. Is this request for a new use authorization or a renewal of an existing use authorization? Renewal New 

 If renewal, issuing office Date of use authorization

3. Location of the proposed use: [A map or drawing showing the location of the proposed use is required.]

4. Purpose of proposed use:

5. Description of the proposed use: [Provide full description.]

6. Dates of proposed use [during the following times and dates (specify below)]: 

START END

DATE TIME DATE TIME

(Month, Day, Year) AM PM (Month, Day, 

Year) AM PM

7. Name of Insurance Carrier: 

8. Have you, or your organization, forfeited any portion of any previous permit, bond, or surety submitted for use of Federal lands, 

or is any investigation or legal action pending against you or your organization for use of Federal lands? Yes No 

 [If “Yes”, attach details on separate sheet.]

9. Applicant Certification: I certify that the information given in this application is true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge and 

belief and is given in good faith. I acknowledge that I (we) am (are) required to comply with any conditions or stipulations that are 

required by the Bureau of Reclamation when the use authorization is issued. The non-refundable application fee is included: Yes No 

 If “No”, reason:

Date Signature of Applicant

Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1001, makes it a crime for any person knowingly and willfully to make to any department or agency of the United States 

any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations as to any matter within its jurisdiction.

Paperwork Reduction Act (Act): This information is needed to evaluate use requests such as those listed on this application. Responses are necessary to receive or 

maintain a benefit; without this information Reclamation may not grant your request. Under the Act, the reporting burden to the public for this form is estimated to average 2 

hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, and completing and reviewing the form. In accordance with the Act, Reclamation may not conduct or sponsor, 

and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget control number.

Privacy Act Statement

Information obtained by this form is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974 systems of records INTERIOR/WBR-17 and INTERIOR/WBR-32 and will be used to maintain land 

status information and proof of use authorization for legal purposes. If you fail to complete the information requested, Reclamation may refuse to grant a use authorization.
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7-2540 OMB Control No.: 1006-0003 

Bureau of Reclamation OMB Expiration Date: 09-30-2015

USE AUTHORIZATION APPLICATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Examples of uses that may be applied for using FORM 7-2540 (this form). The following uses of Reclamation’s lands, 

facilities, and waterbodies are commonly requested by using this use authorization application. This list is intended to provide 

examples of such uses and should not be considered as all inclusive: 

• Commercial filming and photography; • Organized recreational activities, public gatherings, & other special events;

• Commercial guiding and outfitting; • Removal of, or exploration for, sand, gravel, and other mineral materials;

• Commercial or organized sporting 

events;

• Timber harvesting, or removal of commercial forest products or other 

vegetative resources; and

• Agricultural uses; • Any other uses deemed appropriate by Reclamation, subject to the 

exclusions listed in the Code of Federal Regulations (43 CFR 429.4).

2. Uses that may be applied for using Standard Form (SF) 299. Use SF 299 to request a use authorization for the placement, 

construction, and use of energy, transportation, water, or telecommunication systems and facilities. You may access SF 299 at 

https://www.blm.gov/FormsCentral/show-form.do?nodeId=1011.

3. The issuance of a use authorization is at Reclamation's discretion. There is no guarantee that Reclamation will approve any 

application to use Reclamation lands, facilities, or waterbodies. If an initial review determines that your requested use is inappropriate 

for consideration or likely to interfere with Reclamation project purposes or operations, Reclamation will not grant the use authorization.

4. Administrative costs. If Reclamation finds your proposed use is potentially compatible with Reclamation project purposes or 

operations, we will advise you of any additional estimated administrative costs in excess of the initial non-refundable $100 application 

fee, which you will be required to pay before processing of your application continues. Administrative costs include, but are not limited 

to: use fee determination; compliance with National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act; and 

Reclamation’s review, preparation and issuance of the use authorization. Should your requested use be denied at any time during the 

review process, Reclamation will notify you in writing of the basis for the denial and reimburse any unspent administrative costs.

5. Use Fee (Value of the use authorization). In addition to the administrative costs, applicants will also be required to pay for the 

value of the use of the lands, facilities, or waterbodies based on the value of the use prior to issuance of the use authorization. 

43 CFR 429, Subpart E describes the procedures that will be used to process and recover the value of use authorizations.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Complete the Use Authorization Application. Complete all parts of the use authorization application. If a particular question or 

response does not apply to the proposed use, please indicate “not applicable” or “N/A”. Attach additional sheets if more space is 

needed. If you have additional questions, please contact your local Reclamation office. Some uses may require that you provide the 

name of your insurance carrier. A complete list of all offices can be found at the following web site address: http://www.usbr.gov/lands. 

The use authorization regulations are at: http://www.usbr.gov/lands/429.pdf.

2. Enclose a non-refundable application fee of $100, payable to the Bureau of Reclamation. Submit the application, 

non-refundable application fee of $100, and any attachments to the Reclamation office responsible for the location of the 

proposed use. (Unless previously waived under 43 CFR 429, Subpart F). The non-refundable application fee will cover the estimated 

minimum administrative costs to Reclamation to review your application. Failure to submit the required application fee and adequate 

information will cause delays in evaluation of the application. No activity may begin until Reclamations issues a fully executed use 

authorization document.

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS (by corresponding item number from first page)

3. Location of the proposed use. Submit two copies of all maps or drawings and other information clearly demonstrating the location 

for the proposed use, including township, range, and section. Under 43 CFR 429.13(a), Reclamation may request additional 

information needed to process your application, such as legal land descriptions and detailed construction specifications.

5. Description of the proposed use. Examples of additional information to provide, depending upon the use, are as follows:

• maximum number of anticipated participants/spectators/crew;

• number and types of vehicles to be on site;

• description of props, tents, tractors, trailers, and other equipment;

• description of facilities you intend to provide, such as sanitation facilities, emergency personnel, food services or vendors, or 

other applicable information (attach plans); and

• description of your intended use of Reclamation on-site roads or trails.