The Forest Highway Program (FHP) is a Federal rather than a Federal-Aid program. Forest Highway (FH) funds are allocated to FHWA for expenditure in a state in an amount determined by the allocation formula. Regulations that govern the program are jointly developed and approved by FHWA and the Forest Service (FS). The FHP is administered by FHWA's Federal Lands Highway Divisions in cooperation with the appropriate FS region and the State highway agency.

FH funds are available for both design and construction but are not normally available for ROW acquisition. Specific approval for exceptional cases is required. FH funds cannot be used for maintenance.

The federal share of funding for eligible FH projects may be any amount up to and including one hundred percent. A cooperator may participate in the cost of construction. While participation is not a program requirement, it is considered in establishing project priorities.

Temporary borrowing of FH funds between States is permitted. Both the lending and borrowing States and FS regions require concurrence and the funds must be returned within the period for which FH funds have been authorized by law. For example, the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century authorized FH funds for Federal Fiscal Years (FY) 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. FH funds can be transferred between States during these years, but must be returned before the end of FY 2003.

FH projects in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming are designed and constructed by FHWA's WFLHD, which is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. WFLHD also has responsibility for the FHP in Oregon, Montana, Washington, and Idaho. WFLHD, together with the FS and the State, jointly decide which projects will be included in the Alaska FH Program. These three agencies make up a "Tri-Agency" group or committee.

Select the State for the official Tri-Agency members:

• Alaska
• Idaho
• Montana
• Oregon
• Washington
• Wyoming

Annual program meetings are normally held in the winter. In addition to official Tri-Agency Members, several other representatives of the three principal agencies, FHWA's Division Office (Federal-Aid), and the Counties/Boroughs also attend.

Projects for the FHP are jointly selected by FHWA, State, and the FS from priority lists of projects on designated FH routes proposed by the State and the FS. County/Borough projects are proposed through State. Project selections are based on the following criteria:

1. The development, utilization, protection, and administration of the NFS and its renewable resources.
2. The enhancement of economic development at the local, regional, and national level.
3. The continuity of the transportation network serving the NFS and the communities that are economically dependent upon it.
4. The mobility of the users of the transportation network and the goods and services provided.
5. The improvement of the transportation network for economy of operation and maintenance and the safety of its users.
6. The protection and enhancement of the rural environment associated with the NFS and its renewable resources.
7. The results from pavement, bridge, and safety management systems.

A five year program of projects based on anticipated funding is maintained. When additional projects are needed, a call for project proposals is issued by the State and the FS. The State and the FS then prepare priority lists of projects. Through a series of working meetings, including field reviews if appropriate, the Tri-Agency group (FHWA, State, and FS) evaluates and selects projects for the FHP. The Tri-Agency meets annually to review the FHP and to consider any adjustments in schedules and funding as may be appropriate.