§ 3515.16 What standards does BLM use to assess the public interest of an exchange?

BLM must find that the exchange is in the public interest under the following criteria: (a) The benefits of production from your existing lease or preference right to a lease would not outweigh the adverse effects on, or threat of damage or destruction to: (1) Agricultural production potential; (2) Scenic values; (3) Biological values including threatened or endangered species habitat; (4) Geologic values; (5) Archeological, historic or other cultural values; (6) Other public interest values such as recreational use; (7) Residential or urban areas; (8) Potential inclusion in the wilderness or wild and scenic rivers systems; or (9) Other public uses, including public highways, airports, and rights-of-way from lease operations. (b) The lands proposed for exchange must be free from hazardous waste as defined under the authorities of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6901) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601).