FSH 2709.12 - ROAD RIGHTS-OF-WAY GRANTS HANDBOOK
9/86 R-1 SUPPLEMENT 2
CHAPTER 10 - APPLICATION PROCESSING
13 - APPLICATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS. The following are items
to consider when acting on applications for authority to construct a road or use an existing road
for access. More complete information on necessary requirements and conditions is located in
Titles 2700, 5400 and 7700 of the Forest Service Manual.
Proposed New Road Construction - Promptly handle each application on its own merits.
Evaluate and consider each application through the NEPA process. Access will not be
authorized until the requirements of NEPA have been satisfied. The applicant may volunteer to
do the Environmental Analysis to Forest Service standards, where the need for access is
compelling and Forest Service resources are unavailable within the applicant's time frame (FSM
2712). Where the NEPA process determines approval of the required access would lead to
unacceptable environments impacts, explore alternative(s).
Denial decisions made outside the NEPA process should not be unusual. Examples of when it is
appropriate to deny authority for a new road are:
1. The applicant has adequate access to his/her property, or existing access can be made
adequate.
2. A feasible access is available over another route.
3. The road would serve only the interior development of the applicant;s land. Roads for
this purpose should be constructed on the applicant's land, not on National Forest System land.
14 - PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Responsibilities of the Applicant
1. The applicant must furnish professional information, studies, analyses, reports, etc.,
concerning impacts on National Forest System land needed for development of the analysis and
provide other data required by the authorized officer to reach a decision.
2. The applicant must do the preliminary engineering work to Forest Service standards,
such as surveying, designing, drafting of construction plans, and construction staking appropriate
to the purpose of the facility to be constructed and necessary to protect National Forest System
land and resources (FSM 2712).
Changes in Proposed Route or Road Specifications. Examples of when it may be appropriate to
require a change in the proposed route or change in road specifications or standards are:
1. The proposed location would unreasonable conflict with existing or planned facilities,
improvements or activities, or is incompatible with National Forest System resources or
environment.
2. The proposed specifications or standards for the segment(s) across National Forest
System land are not adequate to prevent undue resource or environmental damage.