By giving priority to wind and solar ROW applications, BLM hopes to curb what it viewed as abuses by the mining industry. Within the past two years, 653 new mining claims were filed within newly designated wind or solar energy zones. BLM concluded that many of these mining claims were “likely filed for no purpose other than to provide a means for the mining claimant to compel payment from the ROW applicant or grantee in exchange for relinquishing the mining claim.”
The rule goes into effect on May 30, 2013.