Public Lands Highways Administration and Planning (PLHAP)

Per 23 USC 204(i), the FHWA Federal Lands Highways Office allocates a small portion of the Public Lands Highways program also called the Planning Funds to Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMAs) to offset appropriate administration and planning costs related to public roads on Federal lands.  The planning funds are available to all FLMAs except the National Park Service, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, since those agencies already have a dedicated program authorized in 23 USC 204.

Period of Availability

In accordance with 23 U.S.C. 118, PLH Transportation Administration and Planning (PLH-AP) funds shall remain available for obligation for three years after the last day of the fiscal year in which the project was authorized.

Federal Share

In accordance with 23 U.S.C. 204(b), the Federal share of the costs for any project eligible under this program is 100 percent.

Obligation Limitation

The PLH-AP funds are subject to obligation limitation; however, 100 percent obligation authority is provided with the allocation of funds for the selected projects. The obligation limitation reduces the available funding for the program under the provisions of SAFETEA-LU Section 1102(f).

Eligibility

The eligible planning activities are:

  • Engineering surveys and investigations.
  • Economic surveys and investigations.
  • Planning of future FLMA transportation programs.
  • Planning of future FLMA public transportation systems.
  • Planning of the financing of future FLMA highway and public transportation systems.
  • FLMA transportation planning and coordination with metropolitan and statewide transportation planning.
  • Development and implementation of FLMA management systems, including such activities as traffic data collection and analysis, pavement and bridge inspections, and safety audits.
  • Studies of the economy, safety and convenience of surface transportation systems.
  • Studies of the desirable regulation and equitable funding of surface transportation systems.
  • Technology deployment and transfer activities necessary in connection with the planning, design, construction, management, and maintenance of FLMA highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems.
  • Study and training on engineering standards and construction materials for FLMA highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems.
  • Study and training on evaluation and accreditation of inspection and testing materials for FLMA highway, public transportation and intermodal transportation systems.
  • Study and training on the regulation and funding of FLMA highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems.
  • Other similar or related activities deemed necessary to carry out the FLMA transportation planning process required by 23 U.S.C. 204.

[References used for development of this list are the statutorily defined list of eligible activities under 23 U.S.C. 505, State planning and research (SPR), and the general eligibility established by guidelines for transportation planning under 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135 ("necessary to carry out the statutorily defined function"). These references have been adapted to reflect the needs and activities of Federal land management agencies to conduct necessary transportation planning.]

FLMA Responsibilities

  • Submit annual funding requests to FHWA Federal Lands Highway Office by November 28th.  Submissions should include activities planned and provide detailed cost estimates for each activity.  The details of these activities should include a brief description of the activities, how the activities are going to be accomplished and a timeframe to complete the activities.  The FLMAs should submit the requests electronically, if possible.
  • Compile an annual accomplishments report to the FHWA Federal Lands Highway Office after the end of the fiscal year.  The details of the accomplishment report should include expenditures and products and services rendered.  The accomplishments report should also be electronically submitted, if possible.

FHWA Federal Lands HighwayOffice Responsibilities

  • Produce any necessary nationwide program policies.
  • Solicit annual funding requests from the FLMAs.
  • Review funding requests and compile appropriate program and project information.
  • Allocate funds to the FLMAs.

FHWA Headquarters Program Office Contact

Aung Gye
Transportation Planning Team Leader
Federal Lands Highway Office
Phone: (202) 366-2167
Fax: (202) 366-7495
Email: aung.gye@dot.gov