Forest Highway (FH)
The Forest Highway Program was eliminated under MAP-21. All projects previously authorized under the Forest Highway Program and carry-over funds from SAFETEA-LU will still be administered under previous rules and regulations of the Forest Highway Program.
Purpose:
- To provide safe and adequate transportation access to, within, or adjacent to National Forests or Grasslands.
- 155 National Forests and 20 National Grasslands
- Forest Highways assist rural and community economic development and promote tourism and travel.
Allocations:
- Approximately $186,000,000/year
- Funds allocated by formula
- Federal Share – up to 100%
- Designated system of roads
Designation:
- Approximately 29,000 miles of state & local roads
- To be designated as a FH, a route must:
- Be wholly or partially within, or adjacent to, and serving the National Forest System
- Be necessary for the protection, administration, and utilization of the NFS
- Be necessary for the use and development of NFS resources
- Be under the jurisdiction of a cooperator and open to public travel
- Provide a connection between NFS resources and one of the following:
- A safe and adequate public road
- Communities
- Shipping points
- Markets dependent on these resources
- Serve one of the following:
- Local needs such as schools, mail delivery, commercial supply
- Access to private property within the NFS
- A preponderance of NFS generated traffic
- NFS generated traffic that has a significant impact on roadway design and construction
Program Administration:
- Tri-party program
- Forest Service, State DOT, and FHWA
- Program meetings
- Update the Obligation Plan
- Prioritize projects
- Establish a 5-year program of projects
- Review the status of current projects
Criteria
Criteria for project selections:
- The development, utilization, protection, and administration of the NFS and its renewable resources.
- The enhancement of economic development at the local, regional, and national level.
- The continuity of the transportation network serving the NFS and the communities that are economically dependent upon it.
- The mobility of the users of the transportation network and the goods and services provided.
- The protection and enhancement of the rural environment associated with the NFS and its renewable resources.
- The results from pavement, bridge, and safety management systems.
Funding
Forest Highway Program
- Federal Share – up to 100%
- Loan/Borrow
- Advance Construction
Funds can be used for:
- Planning, research, engineering, and construction
- Transit facilities within the public lands
- Any type of Title 23 transportation project providing access to or within the Federal lands.
- Transportation planning for tourism and recreational travel that benefits recreational development.
Other project related items:
- Adjacent parking
- Interpretive signage
- Acquisition of scenic easements and sites
- Pedestrian and bicycle provisions
- Roadside rest areas and sanitary facilities
- Other appropriate road facilities as determined by the FHWA
- Right-of-Way acquisition – subject to specific approval by the FHWA
- Maintenance is NOT eligible for funding
Roles
Roles of the Tri-Party:
- Forest Service
- Identifies needs and provides forest resource information as required for routes and project support.
- Nominates routes for FH designation.
- Reviews routes proposed by the SDOT for designation.
- Coordinates with the SDOT and counties on proposed FH routes and projects.
- Proposes projects for inclusion in the FHP.
- Jointly selects projects for inclusion in the FHP with the FHWA and the SDOT.
- Concurs in the final PS&E.
- State DOT
- Identifies needs and provides information on State FH routes and projects.
- Nominates routes for FH designation.
- Reviews routes proposed by the FS for FH designation.
- Proposes projects for inclusion in the FHP.
- Jointly selects projects for the FHP with the FS and the FHWA.
- Concurs in the final PS&E on State routes FH projects.
- FHWA/EFLHD
- Administers the FHP funds.
- Reviews and designates proposed FH routes nominated by the SDOT and the FS.
- Jointly selects projects for the FHP with the FS and the SDOT.
- Approves the program of projects
- Designs and administers construction of FH if asked by the FS or the SDOT.