Cooperative Forest Road Agreements
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
Allows the Forest Service to work cooperatively with State, county, or local public road authorities for the cooperative planning, survey, design, construction, reconstruction, improvement and maintenance of certain "Forest Roads" (as defined by 36 CFR 212.1)
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State
- Local
State, county or local public road authorities. An exchange work or reimbursement done for operational efficiencies on transportation assets of joint interest as listed in Schedule A of the agreement.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
When negotiating Forest Road Agreements, the discussions must cover at a minimum, a description of the project, including methodology and technical specifications, contributions and the responsibilities of the parties, deliverables, the period of performance, and monitoring. Regardless of who initiates discussions, all elements of a project are subject to negotiation. Any party may terminate discussions at any time.
Program details & compliance
Description
Cooperative Forest Road Agreements authorize the Forest Service and a State, County, or local public road authority to perform work on roads where the other party holds jurisdiction. These agreements are commonly used to authorize road maintenance and repair activities.
Mission Categories
Primary: Forestry
Other categories:
Construction, Renewal and Operations
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
These agreements accomplish two purposes set forth in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, part 212:
Existing or proposed forest roads that are or will be part of a transportation system of a State, county, or other local public road authority. Forest roads that are or will be part of a transportation system of a State, county, or other local public road authority and are on rights-of-way held by a State, county, or other local public road authority may be constructed, reconstructed, improved, or maintained by the Forest Service when there is an appropriate agreement with the State, county, or other local public road authority under Title 23, United States Code, section 205 and the construction, reconstruction, improvement, or maintenance is essential to provide safe and economical access to National Forest System lands (36 CFR 212.7a).
Maintenance and reconstruction of National Forest System roads by users. The Chief may require, but not in conflict with an existing permit, easement, contract, or other agreement, the user or users of a road, including purchasers of Government timber and other products, to maintain the roads in a satisfactory condition commensurate with the particular use requirements of each. The maintenance to be borne by each user must be proportionate to total use and no individual user shall be required to perform or bear the costs of maintenance other than that commensurate with their use [36 CFR 212.5d(1)].
Restrictions
Work may only be conducted on transportation assets of joint interest as listed in Schedule A of the agreement. Work must be agreed to in the Annual Road Maintenance Plan or as stated in a signed Project Agreements for Construction/Reconstruction.