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FSH 2709.12 RIGHTS-OF-WAY GRANTS HANDBOOK
2/87 R6 SUPP 1
CHAPTER 10 - APPLICATION PROCESSING
14 - PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS. Applications for permission to construct
roads and highways on National Forest system land vary from requests by the
Department of Transportation for appropriations to construct multilane freeways to
requests by individual lot owners to construct driveways or approaches to an
improvement. No single standard for survey design or specification preparation by
an applicant can be applied to such a broad range of construction possibilities, or to
the wide variety of soil and vegetative types encountered in the Region. The land
manager must, therefore, base the requirements for survey and design on the
impact the particular project may have on the area in which it is located, and on the
projected use of the road. Specifications should be written which insure proper
control of the permittee's use of the land consistent with land management
direction, and insure control of the road and its use by others, if any.
Requirements for survey and design by applicants for road construction on National
Forest land should be based on the following guides:
1. Sufficient data must be presented by the applicant to insure that the
proposed use will not cause unacceptable soil movement, will meet fire protection
requirements, and will be compatible with quality land management, existing land
management objectives, and existing land use priorities.
2. If the proposed road is to be included in the Forest Transportation System,
sufficient data should be presented by the applicant to insure that location, grades,
drainage, and alignment are adequate for anticipated use by both the permittee and
the Forest Service. Minimum road standards and engineering requirements should
be the same as those prescribed in FSH 5409.17, section 62.3.
3. As a general rule, the applicant should not be required to perform survey
and design work to any greater extent than the Forest Service would perform under
the same circumstances.
4. The applicant is responsible for the survey and plat. The Forest Service
may assume this responsibility on Forest Transportation System roads if it is to its
advantage, in the judgment of the Forest Supervisor. Otherwise, the applicant
shall either provide the survey or pay the Forest Service to do it. All or portions of
the survey on Forest Service lands for which the applicant is responsible may, upon
written request of the applicant and approval by the Forest Supervisor, be
performed by the Forest Service on a basis of cooperation or assistance under
Section 5, Act of April 24, 1950 (65 Stat. 83, 16 USC 572).
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5. If the Forest Service agrees to do the work, the applicant shall make
advance deposits into the Cooperative Work Fund at the time and for the amounts
requested. Total deposits must be sufficient to cover the estimated cost of the work
including necessary overhead charges. Deposits in excess of actual costs will be
refunded.
6. Within share-cost agreement areas, surveying costs for roads to be shared
will be borne in accordance with FSH 5409.17, section 64.3. Surveying costs for
roads not jointly financed will be the responsibility of the initiating party.
7. Refer to FSM 7153 and the Land Surveying Guide, EM 7150-3, for
guidance on survey and plat standards.