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FS-2700-9i (XX/202X)
OMB No. 0596-0082
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
FOREST ROAD EASEMENT
AUTHORITY:
Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, 43 U.S.C. 1761-1772
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This forest road easement (hereinafter “easement”), dated ______, is granted by the United States, acting
through the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (hereinafter ”grantor”), to [name], a resident
of the State of _______ (hereinafter “grantee”). The grantee shall record this easement within 90 days of the date
it is granted and shall provide a copy of the recorded easement to the authorized officer.
The grantor, in consideration of an annual land use fee paid by the grantee, grants to the grantee and its
successors and assignees, subject to existing easements and other valid existing rights, a non-exclusive right-ofway for use of a forest road (hereinafter “forest road”) to access lands owned or controlled by the grantee.
This easement is located on National Forest System lands in the County of __________ State of __________.
This easement is ____feet wide and _____ feet long and covers approximately _____ acres in the
#TOWNSHIP_SECT_RANGE# #FIRST_DIVISION# #FIRST_DIV_NAME_NUMBER#, #SECOND_DIVISION#
#SECOND_DIV_NAME_NUMBER#, #THIRD_DIVISION# #THIRD_DIV_NAME_NUMBER# (“the easement
area”), as shown on the map attached as an appendix. This and any other appendices are hereby incorporated
into this easement.
The forest road is more specifically delineated in a centerline description, which is attached as an appendix.
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This easement covers _____ feet on either side of the centerline of the forest road, with additional width as
required to accommodate and protect cuts and fills.
I. GENERAL TERMS
A. AUTHORITY. This easement is issued pursuant to Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act,
43 U.S.C. 1761-1772, and 36 CFR Part 251, Subpart B, as amended, and is subject to their provisions.
B. AUTHORIZED OFFICER. The authorized officer is the Forest or Grassland Supervisor, a District Ranger, or
the Station, Institute, or Area Director with delegated authority pursuant to Forest Service Manual 2700.
C. TERM. This easement shall expire at midnight on #EXPIRATION_DATE#. Expiration of this easement shall
not require notice, a decision document, or any environmental analysis or other documentation.
D. CONTINUATION OF USE AND OCCUPANCY. The use and occupancy authorized by this easement shall
be renewed upon expiration, provided that (1) the grantee desires to renew the use and occupancy; (2) the use
and occupancy are consistent with the direction in the applicable land management plan; (3) the forest road is still
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being used for the purposes authorized by this easement; and (4) the grantee is in compliance with all the terms
of this easement. The authorized officer may prescribe new terms when a new easement is issued.
E. AMENDMENT. The terms of this easement shall be amended as necessary every [number] years from the
date of issuance to reflect changing laws, regulations, directives, and conditions. This easement may be
amended at any time by written agreement of the grantor and the grantee. Any amendments to this easement
must be in writing. If amendments are deemed necessary to reflect changing laws, regulations, directives, and
conditions, they must be signed and dated by the authorized officer. If amendments are agreed to by the grantor
and the grantee, they must be signed and dated by both parties.
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F. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. In exercising the
rights and privileges granted by this easement, the grantee shall comply with all present and future federal laws
and regulations and all present and future state, county, and municipal laws, regulations, and other legal
requirements that apply to the easement area, to the extent they do not conflict with federal law, regulation, or
policy. The grantor assumes no responsibility for enforcing laws, regulations, and other legal requirements that
fall under the jurisdiction of other governmental entities.
G. RESERVATIONS. All rights not specifically and exclusively granted to the grantee are reserved to the
grantor, including:
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1. The right of access to the easement area, including a continuing right of physical entry to the easement area
for inspection, monitoring, or any other purpose consistent with any right or obligation of the United States under
any law or regulation.
2. The right to administer and dispose of all natural resources, including timber, in the easement area.
3. The right to use or cross upon, over, or under the forest road and authorize others to use or cross upon, over,
or under the forest road in any way that is not inconsistent with the grantee's rights and privileges under this
easement, after consultation with all parties involved.
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4. The right to relocate the forest road to the extent necessary to accommodate the management needs of the
National Forest System. The centerline of this easement shall shift to follow the centerline of the relocated forest
road and shall be accepted as the new centerline of this easement. If any subsequent survey of the forest road
shows that any portion of the road crosses lands or easements of the grantor that are not covered by this
easement, this easement shall be amended to include the additional lands or easements traversed by the road. If
any lands or easements covered by this easement are no longer traversed by the forest road, the portion of the
easement traversing those lands or easements shall terminate.
H. ASSIGNABILITY. This easement is fully assignable, subject to the following conditions:
1. The assignee must have title to the private land or improvements served by the forest road.
2. The grantee must be in compliance with all the terms of this easement.
3. The grantee shall give the authorized officer written notice of the assignment, including documentation of the
assignment and the name of and contact information for the assignee.
4. The authorized officer may modify the terms of this easement and the assignee shall agree in writing to
comply with the terms of the easement as modified.
II. IMPROVEMENTS
A. LIMITATIONS ON USE. Nothing in this easement gives or implies permission to build or maintain any
structure or facility or to conduct any activity unless specifically provided for in this easement. Any use not
specifically authorized by this easement must be proposed in accordance with 36 CFR 251.54 or 251.61.
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Approval of such a proposed use through issuance of a new easement or easement amendment is at the sole
discretion of the authorized officer.
B. DRAWINGS. All drawings for construction or reconstruction of the forest road, as well as revisions to those
drawings, must be prepared by a professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, or other qualified
professional acceptable to the authorized officer. These drawings and drawing revisions must have written
approval from the authorized officer before they are implemented. The authorized officer may require the grantee
to furnish as-built drawings, maps, or surveys upon completion of the work.
C. RELOCATION. This easement is issued with the express understanding that should future location of
federally owned improvements or road rights-of-way require relocation of the grantee’s improvements, the
relocation will be conducted by and at the expense of the grantee within a reasonable period specified by the
authorized officer.
III. OPERATIONS
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A. OPERATING PLAN. The grantee shall prepare by [date] an operating plan and shall revise it as needed to
address changes in operations. The operating plan and any revisions to the operating plan shall be prepared in
consultation with the authorized officer or the authorized officer’s designated representative and shall cover such
items as snow removal, road maintenance, commercial hauling, dust abatement, a traffic control plan, and the
names of the grantee’s employees, contractors, and subcontractors who will use the forest road on behalf of the
grantee under this easement. The operating plan shall be submitted by the grantee and approved by the
authorized officer or the authorized officer’s designated representative prior to commencement of operations
under this easement and shall be attached to this easement as an appendix.
B. USE OF THE FOREST ROAD. The grantee shall have the right to use the forest road for the consideration
provided for in this easement, the costs of road maintenance provided for in clause III.D, and investment sharing
costs provided for in clause III.E, for all purposes deemed necessary or desirable by the grantee in connection
with the protection, administration, management, and utilization of the grantee's lands and other property.
C. TRAFFIC CONTROL RULES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL ACCESS. The rights
conveyed by this easement do not include the right to use the forest road for access to developments for short- or
long-term residential purposes, unless and until the grantor and the grantee agree upon traffic control rules and
other provisions to accommodate that use of the forest road.
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D. GRANTEE’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE. The grantee shall pay the grantor for the
grantee’s share of maintenance costs for the forest road or perform the grantee’s share of maintenance of the
forest road proportionate to the grantee’s total use of the forest road, as determined by the grantor. Any road
maintenance performed by the grantee shall be authorized by and shall be conducted in accordance with a
maintenance plan approved in writing by the authorized officer. Maintenance, construction, or reconstruction of
the forest road to accommodate the grantee's needs must have prior written approval from the authorized officer
and shall be performed at the grantee’s expense.
E. INVESTMENT SHARING FOR COMMERCIAL USE. The grantee’s use of the forest road for hauling nonfederal forest products from land tributary to the forest road and other commercial use of the forest road are
subject to investment sharing under 16 U.S.C. 535. The grantee shall not haul non-federal forest products or
conduct any other commercial use of the forest road until the grantee pays or makes arrangements acceptable to
the grantor to pay the grantee’s share of the road construction or reconstruction costs.
F. RESOURCE PROTECTION DURING ROAD MAINTENANCE. The grantee shall conduct any maintenance
of the forest road so as to avoid damaging adjacent National Forest System lands.
G. CUTTING, DISPOSAL, AND PLANTING OF VEGETATION. This easement does not authorize the cutting
of trees, brush, shrubs, and other plants (“vegetation”). Vegetation may be cut, destroyed, or trimmed only after
the authorized officer or the authorized officer’s designated representative has approved in writing and marked
or otherwise identified what may be cut, destroyed, or trimmed. The grantee shall notify the authorized officer
when approved cutting, destruction, or trimming of vegetation has been completed. The Forest Service shall
determine in advance of felling the method of disposal of trees felled in the easement area that meet utilization
standards. Disposal may be by sale or without charge per 36 CFR Part 223, as may be most advantageous to
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the United States. Debris from felling that does not meet utilization standards shall also be disposed of according
to methods determined by the Forest Service. Planting of vegetation in the easement area must have prior
written approval from the authorized officer.
H. PESTICIDE USE
1. Authorized Officer Concurrence. Pesticides may not be used in the easement area to control pests, including
undesirable woody and herbaceous vegetation (including aquatic plants), insects, birds, rodents, or fish without
prior written concurrence of the authorized officer. Only those products registered or otherwise authorized by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and appropriate State authority for the specific purpose planned shall be
authorized for use within areas on National Forest System lands.
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2. Pesticide-Use Proposal. Requests for concurrence of any planned uses of pesticides shall be provided in
advance using the Pesticide-Use Proposal (form FS-2100-2). Annually the grantee shall, on the due date
established by the authorized officer, submit requests for any new, or continued, pesticide usage. The PesticideUse Proposal shall cover a 12-month period of planned use. The Pesticide-Use Proposal shall be submitted at
least 60 days in advance of pesticide application. Information essential for review shall be provided in the form
specified. Exceptions to this schedule may be allowed, subject to emergency request and approval, only when
unexpected outbreaks of pests require control measures which were not anticipated at the time a Pesticide-Use
Proposal was submitted.
3. Safety Plan. Before applying pesticides in the easement area, the grantee shall submit to the authorized
officer a safety plan that includes, at a minimum, a precise statement of the treatment objectives; a description of
equipment, materials, and supplies to be used, including pesticide formulation, quantities, and application
methods; a description of the lines of responsibility for project planning, project monitoring, and after-action
review; a description of any necessary interagency coordination; a copy of the current Pesticide-Use Proposal for
the easement; a description of the process by which treatment effectiveness will be determined; and a spill plan,
communications plan, security plan, and, when required by applicable local requirements, a provision for prior
notification to sensitive individuals.
4. Reporting. By September 30th annually, the grantee shall submit to the authorized officer a written report of
each pesticide application project completed during the previous 12-month period. The report shall contain
information pertaining to the pesticide application projects as requested by the authorized officer.
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5. Labeling, Laws, and Regulations. Label instructions and all applicable laws and regulations shall be strictly
followed in the application of pesticides and disposal of excess materials and containers. No pesticide waste,
excess materials, or containers shall be disposed of in any area administered by the Forest Service.
I. MONITORING BY THE FOREST SERVICE. The Forest Service shall monitor the grantee's operations and
reserves the right to inspect the easement area and authorized facilities and improvements at any time for
compliance with the terms of this easement. The grantee shall comply with inspection requirements deemed
appropriate by the authorized officer. The grantee’s obligations under this easement are not contingent upon any
duty of the Forest Service to inspect the easement area or authorized facilities or improvements. A failure by the
Forest Service or other governmental officials to inspect is not a justification for noncompliance with any of the
terms of this easement.
J. FEDERAL SURVEY MONUMENTS, CORNERS, and BOUNDARY MARKERS. The grantee shall protect in
place all federal survey monuments, corners, and boundary markers in the easement area. If any federal survey
monuments, corners, or boundary markers in the easement area are destroyed or modified, the grantee shall
ensure that they are reestablished or corrected in accordance with (1) the Manual of Instructions for the Survey of
the Public Land of the United States; (2) the applicable county surveyor’s specifications; and (3) the specifications
of the Forest Service, as applicable. The grantee shall ensure that any official survey records that were affected
due to the destruction or modification of any federal survey monuments, corners, or boundary markers are
amended in accordance with applicable law. Nothing in this clause shall relieve the grantee of liability for the
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willful destruction or modification of any federal survey monuments, corners, or boundary markers as provided in
18 U.S.C. 1858.
K. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES. The grantee shall immediately notify the
authorized officer of any antiquities or other objects of historic or scientific interest, including but not limited to
historic or prehistoric ruins, fossils, or artifacts discovered in connection with the use and occupancy authorized
by this lease. The grantee shall leave these discoveries intact and in place until otherwise directed by the
authorized officer.
IV. RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES
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L. NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND REPATRIATION (NAGPRA). In accordance with 25
U.S.C. 3002(d) and 43 CFR 10.4, if the grantee inadvertently discovers human remains, funerary objects, sacred
objects, or objects of cultural patrimony on National Forest System lands, the grantee shall immediately cease
work in the area of the discovery and shall leave the discoveries intact and in place. The grantee shall follow the
applicable NAGPRA protocols for the undertaking provided in the NAGPRA plan of action or the NAGPRA
comprehensive agreement; if there are no such agreed-upon protocols, the grantee shall as soon as practicable
notify the authorized officer of the discovery and shall follow up with written confirmation of the discovery. The
activity that resulted in the inadvertent discovery may not resume until 30 days after the authorized officer certifies
receipt of the written confirmation, if resumption of the activity is otherwise lawful, or at any time if a NAGPRA
plan of action has been executed by the Forest Service following tribal consultation and any preconditions have
been met.
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A. VALID EXISTING RIGHTS. This easement is subject to all valid existing rights. Valid existing rights include
those derived from mining and mineral leasing laws of the United States. The grantor is not liable to the grantee
for the exercise of any such right.
B. ABSENCE OF THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY RIGHTS. The parties to this easement do not intend to confer
any rights on any third party as a beneficiary under this easement.
C. NO WARRANTY OF ACCESS, SITE SUITABILITY, OR SERVICES. This easement authorizes the use and
occupancy of lands or easements of the United States for the purposes identified in this easement. The Forest
Service does not make any express or implied warranty of access to the easement area, of the suitability of the
easement area for the authorized uses, or for the furnishing of road or trail maintenance, other than as expressly
provided for in this easement; water; fire protection services; search and rescue services; or any other services by
a government agency, utility, association, or individual.
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D. RISK OF LOSS. The grantee assumes all risk of loss to the easement area, in whole or in part, due to public
health and safety or environmental hazards. Loss of use and occupancy of the easement area may result from
but is not limited to theft, vandalism, fire and any fire-fighting activities (including prescribed burns), environmental
contamination, avalanches, rising waters, winds, falling limbs or trees, and other forces of nature. If the
authorized officer determines that any portions of the easement area cannot be safely occupied due to a public
health or safety or environmental hazard, this easement shall terminate as to those portions of the easement
area. Termination under this clause shall not give rise to any claim for damages, including lost profits, by the
grantee against the Forest Service.
E. DAMAGE TO UNITED STATES PROPERTY. The grantee has an affirmative duty to protect from damage
the land, property, and other interests of the United States that are associated with the use and occupancy
authorized by this easement. Damage includes but is not limited to destruction of or damage to National Forest
System lands, fire suppression costs, and destruction of or damage to federally owned improvements.
1. The grantee shall be liable for all injury, loss, or damage, including fire suppression costs, prevention and
control of the spread of invasive species, and the costs of rehabilitation or restoration of natural resources,
resulting from the grantee’s use and occupancy of the easement area. Compensation shall include but not be
limited to the value of resources damaged or destroyed, the costs of restoration, cleanup, or other mitigation, fire
suppression or other types of abatement costs, and all administrative, legal (including attorney's fees), and other
costs.
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2. The grantee shall be liable for damage to all roads and trails of the United States caused by use of the
grantee or the grantee’s heirs, assignees, agents, employees, or contractors to the same extent as provided
under clause IV.E.1, except that liability shall not include reasonable and ordinary wear and tear.
F. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
1. Compliance with Environmental Laws. The grantee shall in connection with the use and occupancy
authorized by this easement comply with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and
regulations, including but not limited to those established pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq., the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq., the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as
amended, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., the Oil Pollution Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq., the Clean Air Act,
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq., the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq., and the Safe Drinking
Water Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.
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2. Definition of Hazardous Material. For purposes of clause IV.F, "hazardous material" shall mean (a) any
hazardous substance under section 101(14) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9601(14); (b) any pollutant or contaminant
under section 101(33) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9601(33); (c) any petroleum product or its derivative, including fuel
oil, and waste oils; and (d) any hazardous substance, extremely hazardous substance, toxic substance,
hazardous waste, ignitable, reactive or corrosive materials, pollutant, contaminant, element, compound, mixture,
solution or substance that may pose a present or potential hazard to human health or the environment under any
applicable environmental laws.
3. Oil Discharges and Release of Hazardous Materials. The grantee shall immediately notify all appropriate
response authorities, including the National Response Center and the authorized officer or the authorized officer’s
designated representative, of any oil discharge or of the release of a hazardous material in the easement area in
an amount greater than or equal to its reportable quantity, in accordance with 33 CFR Part 153 and 40 CFR Part
302. For the purposes of this requirement, “oil” is as defined by section 311(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act,
33 U.S.C. 1321(a)(1). The grantee shall immediately notify the authorized officer or the authorized officer’s
designated representative of any release or threatened release of any hazardous material in or near the
easement area which may be harmful to public health or welfare or which may adversely affect natural resources
on federal lands.
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4. Remediation of Release of Hazardous Materials. The grantee shall remediate any release, threat of release,
or discharge of hazardous materials that occurs in connection with the grantee’s activities in the easement area,
including activities conducted by the grantee's agents, employees, or contractors and regardless of whether those
activities are authorized under this easement. The grantee shall perform remediation in accordance with
applicable law immediately upon discovery of the release, threat of release, or discharge of hazardous materials.
The grantee shall perform the remediation to the satisfaction of the authorized officer and at no expense to the
United States. Upon revocation or termination of this easement, the grantee shall deliver the easement area to
the Forest Service in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and free and clear of contamination.
G. INDEMNIFICATION OF THE UNITED STATES. The grantee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the
United States for any costs, damages, claims, liabilities, and judgments arising from past, present, and future acts
or omissions of the grantee in connection with the use and occupancy authorized by this easement. This
indemnification and hold harmless provision includes but is not limited to acts and omissions of the grantee or the
grantee’s heirs, assignees, agents, employees, or contractors in connection with the use and occupancy
authorized by this easement which result in (1) violations of any laws and regulations which are now or which may
in the future become applicable; (2) judgments, claims, demands, penalties, or fees assessed against the United
States; (3) costs, expenses, and damages incurred by the United States; or (4) the release or threatened release
of any hazardous material into the environment. The authorized officer may prescribe terms that allow the
grantee to replace, repair, restore, or otherwise undertake necessary curative actions to mitigate damages in
combination with or as an alternative to monetary indemnification.
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V. LAND USE FEE AND DEBT COLLECTION
A. LAND USE FEE. The grantee is exempt from a land use fee pursuant to 36 CFR 251.57 and Forest Service
Handbook 2709.11, Chapter 30.
A. LAND USE FEE. The grantee’s land use fee is waived pursuant to 36 CFR 251.57 and Forest Service
Handbook 2709.11, Chapter 30. The authorized officer reserves the right to review the land use fee waiver
determination periodically and to charge all or part of the land use fee if the waiver is no longer appropriate.
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A. LAND USE FEE. Per 42 U.S.C. 15925, the grantee shall pay in advance an annual land use fee as
determined in accordance with the Per Acre Rent Schedule established by 43 CFR 2806.20. The initial annual
land use fee shall be prorated if less than 6 months in the calendar year remain on the date this easement is
issued. Otherwise, the grantee shall pay the entire initial annual land use fee.
B. LAND USE FEE PAYMENTS
1. Crediting of Payments. Payments shall be credited on the date received by the deposit facility, except that if a
payment is received on a non-workday, the payment shall not be credited until the next workday.
2. Disputed Land Use Fees. Land use fees are due and payable by the due date. Disputed land use fees, other
than land use fees recalculated pursuant to an audit, must be paid in full. Adjustments will be made if dictated by
an administrative appeal decision, a court decision, or settlement terms.
3. Late Payments
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(a) Interest. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3717 et seq., interest shall be charged on any land use fee not paid within 30
days from the date it became due. The rate of interest assessed shall be the higher of the Prompt Payment Act
rate or the rate of the current value of funds to the United States Treasury (i.e., the Treasury tax and loan account
rate), as prescribed and published annually or quarterly by the Secretary of the Treasury in the Federal Register
and the Treasury Fiscal Requirements Manual Bulletins. Interest on the principal shall accrue from the date the
land use fee is due.
(b) Administrative Costs. If the account becomes delinquent, administrative costs to cover processing and
handling the delinquency shall be assessed.
(c) Penalties. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3717(e)(2), a penalty of 6% per year shall be assessed on the total amount
of any debt, including interest and administrative costs, that is more than 90 days delinquent. The penalty shall
accrue from the same date on which interest charges begin to accrue.
4. Administrative Offset and Credit Reporting. Delinquent land use fees and other charges associated with this
easement shall be subject to all rights and remedies afforded the United States pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3711 et
seq. and its implementing regulations. Delinquencies are subject to any or all of the following:
(a) Administrative offset of payments due the grantee from the grantor.
(b) If in excess of 120 days, referral to the United States Department of the Treasury for appropriate collection
action as provided by 31 U.S.C. 3711(g)(1) and its implementing regulations.
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(c) Offset by the Secretary of the Treasury of any amount due the grantee, as provided by 31 U.S.C. 3720A et
seq.
(d) Disclosure to consumer or commercial credit reporting agencies.
VI. REVOCATION, SUSPENSION, AND TERMINATION
A. GROUNDS FOR REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION. The authorized officer may revoke or suspend all or
part of this easement:
1. For noncompliance with applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations;
2. For noncompliance with the terms of this easement; or
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3. For abandonment of the easement. Failure of the grantee to use the easement area for a continuous
5-year period shall constitute a rebuttable presumption of abandonment of the easement.
B. PREREQUISITES FOR REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION. Except for immediate suspension under clause
VI.B, the authorized officer may not revoke or suspend this easement unless:
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1. The authorized officer has given the grantee written notice of the grounds for revocation or suspension and, in
the case of revocation of suspension under clause VI.A.1 or VI.A.2, a reasonable period, not to exceed 90 days,
to cure any noncompliance; and
2. After an administrative appeal conducted pursuant to 7 CFR Part 1, Subpart H, as amended, the authorized
officer makes a finding that grounds for revocation or suspension exist and that revocation or suspension is
justified.
C. IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION. The authorized officer may immediately suspend this easement in whole or in
part when necessary to protect public health or safety or the environment. The suspension decision shall be in
writing. The grantee may request an onsite review with the authorized officer’s superior of the adverse conditions
prompting the suspension. The authorized officer’s superior shall grant this request within 48 hours. Following
the onsite review, the authorized officer’s superior shall promptly affirm, modify, or cancel the suspension.
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D. APPEALS AND REMEDIES. Written decisions by the authorized officer relating to administration of this
easement, other than revocation or suspension decisions, are subject to administrative appeal pursuant to
36 CFR Part 214, as amended. Revocation and suspension of this easement, including immediate suspension
under clause VI.C, are subject to administrative appeal pursuant to 7 CFR Part 1, Subpart H, as amended.
Revocation or suspension of this easement shall not give rise to any claim for damages by the grantee against
the grantor.
E. TERMINATION. This easement shall terminate when by its terms a fixed or agreed upon condition, event, or
time occurs without any action by the authorized officer. Termination of this easement shall not require notice, a
decision document, or any environmental analysis or other documentation. Termination of this easement is not
subject to administrative appeal and shall not give rise to any claim for damages by the grantee against the
grantor. This easement shall terminate:
1. If the grantee does not record this easement in each county where the lands underlying this easement are
located within 90 days of the date this easement is granted;
2. Upon expiration;
3. Prior to expiration, at such time when the authorized officer, in consultation with the grantee, determines that
the forest road is no longer needed for access to the grantee’s lands;
4. All or in part, upon the written agreement of the grantor and the grantee;
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5. If the grantee fails to pay land use fees, interest, or any other charges within 90 calendar days of the due date;
the grantee shall remain responsible for the delinquent charges; or
6. If a subsequent easement is granted by the United States to a public road authority for operation of the forest
road as a public highway;
F. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES UPON REVOCATION OR TERMINATION WITHOUT ISSUANCE OF A
NEW EASEMENT. Upon revocation of this easement or termination of this easement without issuance of a new
easement, the authorized officer, after consultation with other affected agencies, has the discretion to require the
grantee to sell or remove all structures and improvements in the easement area, except those owned by the
United States, within a reasonable period prescribed by the authorized officer and to restore the easement area to
the satisfaction of the authorized officer. If the grantee fails to sell or remove all structures or improvements in the
easement area within the prescribed period, they shall become the property of the United States and may be sold,
destroyed, or otherwise disposed of without any liability to the United States. However, the grantee shall remain
liable for all costs associated with their removal, including costs of sale and impoundment, cleanup, and
restoration of the easement area.
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G. CONTINUATION OF OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES BEYOND TERMINATION OR REVOCATION.
Notwithstanding the termination or revocation of this easement, its terms shall remain in effect and shall be
binding on the grantee and the grantee’s personal representative, successors, and assignees until all the
grantee’s obligations and liabilities accruing before or as a result of termination or revocation of this easement
have been satisfied.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
A. MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. No member of or delegate to Congress or resident commissioner shall benefit
from this easement either directly or indirectly, except to the extent the authorized use provides a general benefit
to a corporation.
B. CURRENT ADDRESSES. The grantor and the grantee shall keep each other informed of current mailing
addresses, including those necessary for payment of land use fees.
C. SUPERSEDED AUTHORIZATION. This easement supersedes an authorization designated [name or
authorization ID], dated ______.
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D. MERGER CLAUSE. This easement, and any appendices incorporated into this easement by reference,
constitute the complete understanding of the parties to this easement as to the rights, duties, and obligations of
each party as of the date of issuance of this easement. If there are any inconsistencies between any of the
preceding clauses and any subsequent clauses or any appendices to this easement, the preceding clauses shall
govern.
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THIS EASEMENT IS GRANTED SUBJECT TO ALL ITS TERMS.
BEFORE THIS EASEMENT IS GRANTED TO AN ENTITY, DOCUMENTATION MUST BE PROVIDED TO THE
AUTHORIZED OFFICER OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE SIGNATORY FOR THE ENTITY TO BIND IT TO THE
TERMS OF THIS EASEMENT.
On [date], I, the grantee, have read, understood, and accepted the terms of this easement.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
[NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF GRANTEE,
DATE
IF GRANTEE IS AN ENTITY]
#GRANTEE_NAME#
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STATE OF [_________]
[_________] COUNTY
On [date], before me, a notary public in the State of [________], personally appeared [name of grantee], known to me to
be the person who signed this easement as the grantee.
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AF
______________________________________
Notary Public for the State of [___________]
My commission expires [__________]
On [date], the United States, through the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, has executed
this easement pursuant to delegations of authority in 7 CFR 2.60(a)(2), 36 CFR 251.52, and FSM.2733.04a and
2733.04b, paragraph 1.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
#AUTHORIZED OFFICER NAME#
DATE
#TITLE#
_______________ National Forest
USDA Forest Service
STATE OF [_________]
[_________] COUNTY
On [date], before me, a notary public in the State of [________], personally appeared [name of Forest Service
authorized officer], known to me to be the person who signed this easement as the grantor.
______________________________________
Notary Public for the State of [___________]
My commission expires [__________]
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT
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According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, a Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to,
an information collection request unless it displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The valid OMB control
number for this information collection request is 0596-0082. Response to this information collection request is required to obtain or retain
benefits, specifically, a special use authorization. The authority for this information collection request is the Title V of the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act, 43 U.S.C. 1761-1772. The time required to complete this information collection request is estimated to average 1 hour
per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, collecting and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the information collection request. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
information collection request, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to Forest Service Information Collections Officer,
SM.FS.InfoCollect@usda.gov, with OMB control number 0596-0082 in the subject line.
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552a(e)(3), this Privacy Act statement serves to inform you of the following concerning the collection of the information
on this form.
Purpose: The Privacy Act of 1974 requires that the Director of Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources staff and the Director of
Lands, Minerals, and Geology Management staff provide the following statements to individuals from whom they request information.
Authority: Collection of this information solicited on this form is authorized by the Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, 43
U.S.C. 1761-1772.
T
Routine Uses: The information collected will be used by Forest Service officials to ensure that your use of National Forest System lands is
administered in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, and directives. The information collected from you is retained in the Special
Uses Data System (SUDS) and is retrieved by the Forest Service create reports for the Agency’s Special Uses Program, generate bills for
collection of land use fees for your authorization, monitor compliance with your special use authorization, and other matters pertaining to
administration of your special use authorization. SUDS is a component of the Forest Service’s Natural Resources Manager database (NRM).
A complete list of the routine uses of NRM can be found in the system of records notice associated with this form, FS-24.
R
AF
Disclosure: The submission of this information is required to obtain or retain benefits, specifically, a special use authorization.
NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based
on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all
bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape,
American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the
Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other
than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File
a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all the information
requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit the completed form or letter to USDA by (1) mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 202509410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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File Type application/pdf File Title FOREST ROAD EASEMENT File Modified 2025-06-24 File Created 2024-08-20