§ 2882.1 - Preapplication activity.

(a) Upon determining that a proposed pipeline project is contemplated which would cross Federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior, or two or more Federal agencies, the proponent of such project is encouraged to promptly notify the appropriate office identified in § 2882.2-2 of this title or the Secretary.

(b) The authorized officer shall provide guidance to the pipeline project proponent as to:

(1) Routing constraints which exist because of current land status as reflected in land use plans and land status records;

(2) Necessary information to be included in applications for right-of-way grants or temporary use permits;

(3) Qualifications required of applicants; and

(4) Identification of on-the-ground investigations which will require temporary use permits.

(c) No right-of-way applications processing work, other than that incurred in the processing of applications for permits for temporary use of public lands in furtherance of the filing of an application and preapplication guidance under paragraph (b) of this section, shall be undertaken by the authorized officer prior to the filing of an application together with an advance payment as required by § 2883.1-1 of this title. Such processing work includes, but is not limited to, special studies such as environmental analyses, environmental impact statements, engineering surveys, resource inventories and detailed land use or record analyses.

(d) No activities, other than casual use, such as, but not limited to, vehicle use on existing roads, sampling, marking of routes, searching, or other similar activities that do not disturb the surface of the lands or require the removal of vegetation, shall be conducted on Federal lands prior to the issuance of a right-of-way grant or a temporary use permit.