Sen. Smith (R-Ore.) asked U.S. Attorney Gen. John Ashcroft to sus...
Sen. Smith (R-Ore.) asked U.S. Attorney Gen. John Ashcroft to suspend publication of revised federal land appraisal standard that critics say would have negative impact on fiber infrastructure deployment. Justice Dept. last week (CD April 16 p7) said that…
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on April 18 it would publish revised Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisition desk guide, which DoJ-led interagency task force developed. Document contains provision enabling federal agencies to deviate from using “legitimate and accepted” fair-market valuation standard when levying right-of-way (RoW) fees on private entities, Smith said. “It was made without any public input and without any opportunity for public comment and is likely to have significant and adverse impacts on the nation’s energy and telecommunications infrastructure, which in some cases must cross federal lands,” he said in letter dated April 12. Congress in FY 2001 Interior appropriations bill (CD April 13 p1) had “unambiguously indicated” that agency changes in RoW assessment procedures “should be made only through a formal and public rulemaking,” he said. DoJ had no comment by our deadline.