Least Cost Road Standards

Least-Cost Road Standards for Timber Sale
Specified Roads
Forest Service Manual 7730.2 requires opera on and maintenance of Na onal Forest System roads in a manner that provides for:
1. Safe and efficient travel;
2. Access for the administra on, u liza on, and protec on of NFS lands; and 3. Protec on of the environment, adjacent resources, and public investment. Northern Region Na onal Forests are tasked with mee ng this manual and handbook direc on, along with relevant state law and policy, while implemen ng aspects of its mul ple use mandate through commercial mber harvest. This memo is intended to provide guidance for determining appropriate work to be included in Specified Roads packages within mber sale contracts in accordance with Forest Service direc ves.

Design Standards
Per Forest Service Handbook, design standards for Specified Roads should be the least-cost needed to facilitate safe haul and mi gate damage to na onal forest resources. (FSH 2432.34a_3: “Pursuant to the Na onal Forest Roads and Trails Act of 1964, plan for the least-cost road needed to meet the resource objec ves for the sale.”). Forest Service Handbook direc on is intended to be consistent with the following list of laws and regula ons:
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36 CFR PART 212 – TRAVEL MANAGEMENT: 212.10 Maximum economy Na onal Forest System roads. The Chief may acquire, construct, reconstruct, improve and maintain Na onal Forest System roads within and near the Na onal Forests and other lands administered by the Forest Service in loca ons and according to specifica ons which will permit maximum economy in harves ng mber from such lands tributary to such roads and at the same me meet the requirements for protec on, development, and management thereof and for u liza on of the other resources thereof.
Na onal Forest Management Act of 1976 Sec on 8"(c): Roads constructed on Na onal Forest System lands shall be designed to standards appropriate for the intended uses, considering safety, cost of transporta on, and impacts on land and resources." (16 U.S.C. 1608) Na onal Forest Roads and Trails Act; Act of October 13, 1964, Road Construc on, Sec. 4.: The Secretary is authorized to provide for the acquisi on, construc on, and maintenance of forest development roads within and near the Na onal Forests and other lands administered by the Forest Service in loca ons and according to specifica ons which will permit maximum economy in harves ng mber from such lands tributary to such roads and at the same me meet the