This section describes the potential impacts to ROWs and corridors from implementation of the alternatives. ROWs are for infrastructure and facilities that are in the public interest and require authorization for location over, under, on, or through BLM-administered land. A ROW grant is a land use authorization for a specific area of public land for certain types of projects, such as developing roads, pipelines, transmission lines, and communication sites. Renewable energy facilities (wind, solar, biomass) are also authorized through a ROW, and impacts discussed in this section apply to ROW authorizations for renewable energy. However, specific impacts to renewable energy from management under the alternatives are discussed in Section 4.6.2 Renewable Energy. This section focuses on how management actions could impact ROWs and corridors by increasing, limiting, or preventing the potential for these authorizations.

The most common type of adverse impact to ROWs results from restrictions that limit or prohibit the location of ROWs or corridors because of other resource values and objectives. Adverse impacts result from implementing management actions that influence or modify the location, size, or design of an ROW authorization, require substantial mitigation, or, in some cases, preclude approval of the application. Beneficial impacts to ROWs and corridors result from management actions that increase the area available for ROWs and reduce restrictions on ROW authorizations. Direct impacts to ROWs and corridors can result from management actions that allocate an area for ROW avoidance/mitigation or exclusion, or management actions that designate specific ROW corridors or concentration areas. Indirect impacts to ROWs and corridors can result from management that results in subsequent restrictions on ROW authorizations, such as management for resource values or uses that require mitigation, relocation, or denial of ROW authorizations. All impacts to ROWs would be long-term.