Transportation:

Federal Interests Should Receive More Consideration under the Forest Highway Program

CED-77-130, Oct 13, 1977

Contact:

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

The Forest Highway Program, as currently administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) and the Forest Service, is not meeting the Forest Service's needs for managing the national forest resources.

Forest highways total about 22,000 miles and are of special federal interest because they link the national forests to the federal-aid highway system. Congress, in establishing the Forest Highway Program, expressed a special interest in providing access to government-owned national resources, as well as for the benefits of communities in or near national forest boundaries. Incremental administrative and legislative changes in the Forest Highway Program between 1970 and 1977 have changed the program's focus from federal control to state control and have lessened the Forest Service's input. As a result, forest highway funds were devoted to roads of primary importance to the states and had little or no relation to national forest transportation needs.

Status Legend:

More Info
  • Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.
  • Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.
    • Review Pending
    • Open
    • Closed - implemented
    • Closed - not implemented

    Recommendation for Executive Action

    Recommendation: The Secretaries of Agriculture and Transportation should direct FHwA and the Forest Service to jointly develop and issue specific criteria for selecting projects meriting forest highway funding and should jointly develop proposed legislation to permit those forest roads that were formerly considered forest highways to be eligible for funding under the forest highway program.

    Agency Affected:

    Status: Closed

    Comments: Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.