Community pits are sites on BLM-managed public land that the Bureau designates for the sale or free‑use removal of common mineral materials (sand, gravel, stone). They may be any size and are set aside so multiple users can obtain materials under sales contracts or permits; designation is made by BLM field or State offices, noted in the public land records, and follows BLM procedures (H‑3600‑1). The new IM instructs offices to maintain and expand community‑pit information (the Community Pits Mapper) and notes that the IM’s two‑tiered fee structure does not apply to community pits.
Eligible public lands are BLM lands that a Resource Management Plan (RMP) has identified as open to mineral‑materials disposal; the IM’s streamlined procedures apply only where the location is within an area shown in the public land records and RMP as open to mineral materials sales or disposal.
A noncompetitive mineral‑materials sale (also called a noncompetitive sale or noncompetitive materials sale) is a direct sale by BLM to a buyer without public auction or bidding, typically for small volumes or community use; competitive leasing or bidding (competitive sale) involves public notice and an auction or competitive offer process and is used when multiple parties may seek the same resource or when BLM requires market competition to establish fair market value.
The IM instructs BLM to use categorical exclusions (CXs) for most streamlined small‑volume sales (CX 516 11.9 F(10) and CX 516 DM 14.5 D(9)) unless the Authorized Officer identifies extraordinary circumstances requiring NEPA analysis; the IM also requires compliance with other laws (e.g., Endangered Species Act, NHPA) and site reclamation as conditions. If current valuations exceed the flat fees or extraordinary circumstances exist, additional environmental review or appraisal may be required.
Any person or entity may use the two‑tiered, noncompetitive option for up to 150 tons per person or entity per calendar year (Tier 1: 0–50 tons; Tier 2: 51–150 tons). Community pits are excluded from the tiered structure; larger companies can still obtain materials but would not qualify for the streamlined flat‑fee noncompetitive tiers if their requested volumes or BLM valuations exceed the IM limits—they would be subject to standard valuation, competitive procedures, permits, or sales contracts.
The flat fees set by the IM are BLM transaction fees for small‑volume noncompetitive sales and do not by themselves waive other required federal, state, or local permits or fees. The IM also says the flat fees comply with BLM’s "not less than fair market value" requirement unless local/state valuation exceeds the fees—in which case the streamlined process won’t apply. Buyers remain responsible for any separate federal, state, or local permits, bonding or mitigation requirements that apply (except the IM waives certain BLM administrative requirements like performance bonds and monthly production reports for these small noncompetitive sales).