2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

March 2023
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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employer, and lender.

COVER PHOTOS

Employees and volunteers on the Lolo National Forest plant 530,500 seedlings across 2,536 acres. Courtesy photo by Dave 

Gardner Creative/National Forest Foundation.

USDA 

Matt Nelson, a materials handler, prepares supplies at North Operations base in Redding, CA. USDA Forest Service photo by 

Cecilio Ricardo.

USDA Under Secretary Homer Wilkes and Forest Service Chief Randy Moore tour Lucky Peak Nursery outside of Boise, ID. 

The tour, led by Nursery Manager Sara Wilson, included seed freezers, sorting equipment, and greenhouses. USDA Forest 

Service photo by Dave Walsh.

Beetle-killed Engelmann spruce are turned into wood products at the Satterwhite Log Homes Lumber Yard in Sanpete County, 

UT. USDA Forest Service photo.

A Tribal Youth Conservation Corps crew member does renovation work on the Ottawa National Forest's Black River Harbor 

pavilion. USDA Forest Service photo.

John Whiting uses a neutron probe on the Sierra National Forest. Subatomic particles shoot into the ground, which scatter back 

towards the probe after they run into water molecules, revealing the amount of moisture within the bedrock. USDA Forest 

Service photo by Jamie Hinrichs.

Joy Billings, apprentice firefighter on Idaho Engine 431, looks through binoculars while serving as a lookout for crews in the 

Silver King Valley on the northwest side of the Slink Fire on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California. USDA Forest 

Service photo by Charity Parks.

The 2022 interagency wildland fire briefing at the Jeffco Airtanker Base in Broomfield, CO. USDA Forest Service photo.

A child gets a sled ride from his dad on Chickadee Ridge on the Carson Ranger District, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. 

USDA Forest Service photo by Rachel Van Horne.

Blue Ridge Hot Shots climb a steep-sloped mountain to suppress the Dixie Fire on the Lassen National Forest in California. 

USDA Forest Service photo by Cecilio Ricardo.

Firefighters work to prevent fire damage to bridges, homes, and buildings during the Cedar Creek Fire. A lightning storm caused 

20 to 30 fires on the Willamette National Forest 15 miles east of Oakridge, OR. It burned over 127,000 acres. USDA Forest 

Service photo.

Nez Perce dancers lead visitors in a circle dance. USDA Forest Service photo by Jennifer Beca
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE........................................................................................................................................................................ 5

AGENCY-WIDE.............................................................................................................................................................. 6

BUDGET OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................................... 6

PURPOSE STATEMENT........................................................................................................................................ 9

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG) AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO) REPORTS ......12

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENTS ................................................................................................................. 13

REVENUE, RECEIPTS AND TRANSFERS............................................................................................................. 15

AVAILABLE FUNDS AND FTES ........................................................................................................................ 17

PERMANENT POSITIONS BY GRADE AND FULL TIME EQUIVALENTS (FTE’S) .................................................19

MOTOR VEHICLE FLEET .................................................................................................................................. 20

SHARED FUNDING PROJECTS........................................................................................................................... 22

FOREST SERVICE OPERATIONS....................................................................................................................................24

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT................................................................................................................... 24

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) ................................................................ 24

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 25

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES ............................................................................................ 29

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS ......................................................................................................................... 32

STATUS OF PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................... 35

FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH .......................................................................................................................38

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT................................................................................................................... 38

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) ................................................................ 38

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 39

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES ............................................................................................ 43

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS ......................................................................................................................... 45

STATUS OF PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................... 47

STATE, PRIVATE, AND TRIBAL FORESTRY...................................................................................................................52

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT.................................................................................................................. 52

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) ................................................................ 52

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 53

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES ............................................................................................ 60

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS ......................................................................................................................... 68

STATUS OF PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................... 69

NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM........................................................................................................................................79

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT................................................................................................................... 79

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) ................................................................ 79

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 81
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JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES ............................................................................................ 87

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS ....................................................................................................................... 100

STATUS OF PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................. 101

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE........................................................................................................114

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT................................................................................................................. 114

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) .............................................................. 114

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 115

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES .......................................................................................... 119

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS OVER $1 MILLION SELECTED IN 2024 ..........................123

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS ....................................................................................................................... 127

STATUS OF PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................. 129

LAND ACQUISITION..................................................................................................................................................131

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT................................................................................................................. 131

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) .............................................................. 131

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 132

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS........................................................................................................................ 135

STATUS OF PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................. 137

OTHER APPROPRIATIONS .........................................................................................................................................139

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT................................................................................................................. 139

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) .............................................................. 139

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 140

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES .......................................................................................... 142

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS........................................................................................................................ 143

STATUS OF PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................. 145

WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT..............................................................................................................................147

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT................................................................................................................. 147

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) .............................................................. 147

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 149

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES .......................................................................................... 153

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS........................................................................................................................ 157

STATUS OF PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................. 159

WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION OPERATIONS RESERVE FUND............................................................................................165

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT................................................................................................................. 165

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) .............................................................. 165

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 166

JUSTIFICATION OF INCREASES AND DECREASES ............................................................................................ 167

PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS ................................................................................................................................168
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LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT................................................................................................................. 168

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 169

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS........................................................................................................................ 174

STATUS OF PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................. 175

PAYMENTS TO STATES................................................................................................................................... 182

TRUST FUNDS ............................................................................................................................................................184

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT................................................................................................................. 184

PROJECT STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 185

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS........................................................................................................................ 187

STATUS OF PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................. 189

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS..........................................................................................................................................192

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS ................................................................................................................................. 194

GENERAL PROVISIONS ..............................................................................................................................................197

AGENCY-WIDE PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION ................................................................................................209

INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................. 209

ALIGNMENT TO USDA 2022 – 2026 STRATEGIC PLAN ................................................................................. 209

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES.................................................................................................................... 210

SPECIAL EXHIBITS......................................................................................................................................................214

BIOMASS AND WOOD INNOVATIONS ............................................................................................................. 214

CARBON ACCOUNTING.................................................................................................................................. 218

CRITERIA FOR ALLOCATING FUNDING FOR RECREATION ACCESS................................................................. 221

EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT ................................................................................................................... 222

NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS .................................................................................................... 225

OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL REIMBURSEMENT......................................................................................... 231

PRESCRIBED FIRE .......................................................................................................................................... 232

STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTING ....................................................................................................................... 234

UNLIQUIDATED OBLIGATIONS....................................................................................................................... 237

USDA WORKING CAPITAL FUND, DEPARTMENTAL SHARED COST PROGRAMS, AND E-GOVERNMENT .......240

FY 2024 SPEND PLAN FOR BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (PUBLIC LAW 117- 58)..............................246

FY 2024 TRANSFERS WITHIN APPROPRIATIONS ........................................................................................... 252

APPENDICES ..............................................................................................................................................................253

NATIONAL PARKS AND PUBLIC LAND LEGACY RESTORATION FUND............................................................ 253

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND .................................................................................................... 263
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PREFACE

This publication summarizes the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Budget for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

Throughout this publication any reference to the “Budget” is used to refer to the 2024 Budget, unless otherwise 

noted. All references to years refer to fiscal year, except where specifically noted. The budgetary tables throughout 

this document show actual amounts for 2021 and 2022, enacted levels for 2023, and the President’s Budget request 

for 2024. Amounts for 2023 estimated levels include: non-enacted amounts such as Full-Time Equivalent levels, 

fleet levels, information technology investment levels, recovery levels, transfers in and out, balances available end 

of year, and obligation levels.

Throughout this publication, the “2018 Farm Bill” is used to refer to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. 

Most programs funded by the 2018 Farm Bill are funded through 2023. Amounts shown in 2024 for most Farm Bill 

programs reflect those confirmed in the baseline.

Pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, sequestration is included in the 

numbers for mandatory programs in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
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AGENCY-WIDE

BUDGET OVERVIEW

Mission

The USDA Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and 

grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Budget Overview 

The 2024 Forest Service Budget request for discretionary appropriations is $9.7 billion. This is an increase of $2.6 

billion from the 2023 enacted appropriations. The 2024 Budget request includes $2.97 billion for Wildland Fire 

Management, an operational increase of $674 million1 from 2023 enacted; $2.23 billion for the management of 

National Forest System lands, an increase of $252 million from 2023 enacted; $235 million for Capital Improvement 

and Maintenance, an increase of $77 million from 2023 enacted; $349 million for Forest and Rangeland Research, 

an increase of $42 million from 2023 enacted; $328 million for State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, a decrease of $10 

million from 2023 enacted; and $1.32 billion for Forest Service Operations, an increase of $164 million from 2023 

enacted. The Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund (“fire funding fix”) Forest Service share is $2.30 

billion in 2024, an increase of $90 million from 2023 enacted.

Forest Service Policy Priorities

The 2024 Budget request prioritizes critical investments to address threats from wildfire, tackle climate change, 

protect communities, provide economic relief through job creation, advance racial equity, address historic 

environmental injustice, and further improve our work environment. To address these challenges, the Forest Service 

requests significant investments for wildfire risk management to implement the Administration’s climate innovation 

agenda and invest in our wildland fire management workforce. This includes firefighter pay reform, funding for vital 

health and well-being assistance, facilities maintenance funds prioritized primarily for firefighter housing needs, and 

the transition of the FireGuard program from the Department of Defense. Wildfire risk management actions help the 

agency improve the resilience of forest and rangeland ecosystems from multiyear drought conditions and protect 

watersheds, habitat, and communities from the negative impacts of wildfires. 

Together with the historic investments provided from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law2 and the Inflation Reduction 

Act (P.L. 117-169), the Forest Service will increase and build new capacity by working with partners to improve the 

resilience of landscapes and watersheds across boundaries, reduce wildfire risk by treating the right acres at the right 

scale, restore infrastructure, support outdoor recreation, and invest in reforestation of impacted landscapes. 

Wildland Fire Risk Management 

Climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of wildfires. The summer of 2021 was one of the worst fire 

seasons in modern times - the agency was at a record 68 days at Preparedness Level 5, indicating the highest 

demand for wildland fire suppression resources. While many geographic areas were below their 10-year averages 

for both number of fires and acres burned in 2022, nationally there were 10,000 additional wildfires reported and an 

additional 451,000 acres burned in 2022 compared to 2021, requiring the high demand for wildland fire suppression 

resources. Traditional fire seasons of the past have now extended to year-round events, with wildfires occurring 

outside of historic fire season timeframes in different parts of the country, and in 2023, the agency anticipates, and is 

prepared for, another significant fire year. 

Wildland fire risk management is a top priority for the Forest Service and aligns with USDA’s Strategic Goal to 

mitigate wildfire risk. The 2024 Budget dedicates $323 million toward management for hazardous fuels reduction, 

an increase of $116 million from the 2023 enacted level. This will allow the agency to mitigate wildfire risk on 4.2 

million acres in high priority and high-risk areas and build on the hazardous fuels funding the Forest Service 

received from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169), a significant 

1 The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328), Division N, provided disaster relief funding that included 

funding previously included in Division G: $160 million for pre-suppression and $1.011 billion for suppression operations. 

Additionally, Division N also provided emergency disaster appropriations of $375 million for suppression activities. 2 The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is titled the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” (P.L. 117-58) and will be referenced as 

the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for the remainder of the document.
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investment to prioritize and target landscape treatments across multiple jurisdictions under the agency’s 10-Year 

Wildfire Crisis Strategy3

. 

Compensation for Wildland Firefighters 

Through Wildland Fire Management, the Forest Service protects life, property, and natural resources on National 

Forest System lands, other Federal lands, and an additional 20 million acres of non-Federal lands under protection 

agreements. The Budget proposes almost $3 billion for Wildland Fire Management activities, focusing critical 

investments in hazardous fuels treatments, firefighter compensation and benefits, and supporting the objectives of 

the agency’s 10-year strategy to confront the Nation’s wildfire crisis. 

The Administration remains committed to the President’s vision for increasing investments in the Federal wildland 

fire management workforce to deliver an updated, competitive, and equitable pay structure and an improved support 

system that will address recruitment and retention challenges that have affected this workforce for decades. The 

Budget takes another significant step forward in ongoing efforts to build a more professional, year-round workforce 

that is better aligned with the challenges of today’s wildfire activity which are expected to continue to increase due 

to climate change. The Budget builds upon the historic reforms in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by providing a 

permanent solution for Federal wildland firefighters’ compensation and taking steps to improve their quality of life 

and recognize the difficult and dangerous work they perform. The President looks forward to working with Congress 

to achieve and fund these reforms by the beginning of 2024.

The cornerstone of the Administration’s solution for wildland firefighter workforce reform is a permanent increase 

in pay. The Administration proposes authorization of a special base rate salary table that will permanently increase 

pay for Federal wildland firefighters and create a premium pay for all wildland fire incident responders to provide 

some additional compensation for rest and sleep time when they are mobilized on incidents. These pay reforms will 

increase Federal wildland firefighters’ base pay to provide a more livable wage and address long-term 

competitiveness and equity issues to ensure stable recruitment and strong retention. 

The 2024 Budget request for workforce salaries and expenses is $1.42 billion, a $509 million increase above the 

2023 enacted level to fund the costs of pay reforms for Federal wildland firefighters and increase Federal 

firefighting capacity to ensure that the Forest Service can effectively meet the demands of wildland fire activity 

year-round, while also improving the work-life balance of firefighters. In addition, the 2024 Budget includes an 

investment of $10 million for firefighter vital health and well-being assistance.

Additionally, the 2024 Budget includes $50 million to address urgent and necessary deferred maintenance and 

repairs of Forest Service housing units and housing shortages for firefighters. Many Forest Service duty stations are 

in areas with historically high rental and home ownership costs; this presents significant challenges for the Forest 

Service in recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees.

The President recognizes the serious toll that wildland firefighting takes on firefighters’ lives and families. These 

reforms are intended to help prevent employee burnout and cumulative fatigue from the higher demands on 

responders because of longer and more intense fire seasons. The Administration believes that this suite of workforce 

reforms — including improved compensation, increased workforce capacity, vital health and well-being assistance, 

and improved housing — will transform interagency Wildland Fire Management by improving firefighter 

recruitment and retention and laying the foundation for further improvements in the future. The President looks 

forward to working with Congress to enact legislation to institute and fund these reforms.

Tackling the Climate Crisis

The 2024 Budget builds on the approach to climate change articulated in the 2023 Budget and leverages the historic 

investments enacted in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to implement the Administration’s climate agenda and 

support Executive Order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” and Executive Order 13990, 

“Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis.” The Budget 

includes investments that will allow the Forest Service to continue to build climate resilience while laying the 

foundation for economic growth, creating good paying jobs, and ensuring benefits of climate investments accrue to 

disadvantaged communities.

Maintaining climate-resilient landscapes is central to Forest Service activities and goals. Working with partners and 

stakeholders, the agency is taking actions to adapt the Nation’s forests and grasslands to a changing climate and 

3 https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis
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proactively address challenges, including those stemming from a longer, more severe wildfire season, regional 

drought, invasive species, and significant outbreaks of insects and disease. The Forest Service is using science

innovation and delivery to advance climate-smart land management, ecosystem restoration, and fire management, 

for the benefit of current and future generations. In 2024, the agency will expand the scope and scale of research and 

science delivery programs related to reforestation, carbon sequestration, and carbon accounting, all of which are 

essential to informing policy and spending decisions. Forest and Rangeland Research will continue to support the 

USDA Climate Hubs through continued 2024 funding and increased science capacity related to climate mitigation, 

adaptation, and resilience. This funding will accelerate science production and technology transfer to aid land 

management agencies, private landowners, and agricultural producers, including foresters, with information on 

scientifically sound climate adaptation practices.

The 2024 Budget request supports increasing capacity for carbon sequestration through reforestation, post-fire 

restoration, mitigating forest pests, and production of sustainable woody biomass for forest products on both public 

and private lands. The Forest Service will focus investments on planting the right species, in the right place, under 

the right conditions to create forests that will remain healthy over time. The agency will also continue to leverage 

partner resources through Shared Stewardship, making integrated decisions on mutually defined projects across all 

land ownerships. 

Improving Infrastructure, Providing Economic Relief, and Supporting Jobs

The 2024 Budget request supports considerable economic activity in national, regional, and local economies through 

natural resource management, research and development, wildland fire management, and by providing sustainable 

use of the national forests and grasslands. Significant Forest Service economic activity benefits many rural forest 

and grassland dependent communities. The results of the agency’s recent 2021 economic analysis show Forest 

Service programs and work contributed 373,600 jobs (average of annual full-time, part-time, temporary, and 

seasonal) and $40.3 billion in gross domestic product (GDP). Recreational visitor use, hunting and fishing, energy 

and minerals development, forest products, and livestock grazing generated 65 percent of the economic activity. 

National Forest System (NFS) lands continue to see an unprecedented increase in the number of visitors, which 

started with the pandemic in 2020. This Budget requests a significant additional investment in recreation of $39 

million above the 2023 enacted level so the agency is prepared to meet public demand. 

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) (P.L. 116-152), enacted in 2020, is allowing the Forest Service to repair 

and upgrade vital infrastructure and facilities in the national forests and grasslands through the National Parks and 

Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF). GAOA also permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation 

Fund (LWCF), investing in conservation and recreation opportunities on both Federal and non-Federal forests and

grasslands. Projects funded through the LRF and LWCF will enrich the lives of current and future generations by 

improving landscape resiliency and increasing access. The 2024 LRF projects are estimated to support 

approximately 3,500 jobs and contribute $350 million to GDP. In 2021, Congress appropriated $218 million to 

implement a total of 63 Forest Service LWCF projects (Forest Legacy and Federal Land Acquisition). Congress also 

directed $285 million in funding from the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to 556 Forest 

Service deferred maintenance projects. In 2024, the Forest Service once again proposes $94 million for Forest 

Legacy, $124 million for Federal Land Acquisition, and $285 million for the Public Lands Restoration Fund. The 

2024 LWCF and National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund project lists are included in appendices 

to the 2024 Budget request. The Forest Service has developed these projects in accordance with GAOA 

requirements and on LWCF, agency, and Administration priorities. These include creating new and enhanced 

recreation access, funding projects with substantial local community support, and conserving critical watersheds. 

Advancing Racial Equity and Improving the Workplace Environment

The Forest Service is committed to the values of equity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for its employees and the 

public it serves. The agency continues to proactively undertake actions that provide a safe, resilient, and harassmentfree work culture where employees are treated with respect and dignity. Such an environment is paramount to 

carrying out the agency’s mission and delivering needed services to every American. The USDA is committed to 

ensuring equity across its agencies, removing barriers to access, and building a workforce more representative of 

America. To that end, the Forest Service strives to maintain a work environment that is equitable, respectful, and 

free of harassment and bullying of any kind. The Forest Service has taken significant steps to improve policies, raise 

accountability, upgrade reporting systems, and conduct training focused on workplace environment to stop 

harassment, bullying, and retaliation. This work is essential and will continue in 2024. At the same time, the agency 

is working to recruit, hire and retain a workforce that reflects the diversity of America.
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The Forest Service also is addressing equity by recognizing opportunities within the agency that ensure historically 

underserved groups more fully access and participate in Forest Service programs and services. This includes 

expansion of co-stewardship with Tribes of the nation’s forests and grasslands, respectful application of Indigenous 

Knowledge, and protection of sacred sites. Such co-stewardship is directed by Forest Service policy in manuals, 

handbooks, and the Strengthening Tribal Consultation and Nation-to-Native Relationships: A USDA Forest Service 

Action Plan4

. This focus on enhanced co-stewardship of the National Forest System will support healthy and 

resilient landscapes, protect Tribal rights and interests on lands managed by the USDA Forest Service, benefit Tribal 

communities, and help the Forest Service better accomplish its mission through co-stewardship of the National 

Forest System with Tribes, including cross-boundary partnerships that comply with existing laws, regulations, and 

policies. These authorities provide opportunity to protect and preserve Tribal trust assets on the National Forest 

System as well as maintain healthy landscapes. 

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Forest Service is an agency of the Department of Agriculture formed in 1905, pursuant to the Transfer Act of 

1905 (33 Stat. 628) and the Agricultural Appropriation Act of 1906 (33 Stat.872). The Forest Service administers 

154 national forests and 20 national grasslands that cover more than 193 million acres of public land; 84 long-term 

experimental areas5

; seven research and development laboratories6; and 24 Job Corps Civilian Conservation 

Centers7

. The Forest Service also reaches across the boundaries of the national forests to States, Tribes, 

communities, and non-industrial private landowners.

The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and 

grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Forest Service balances the short- and long-term 

needs of people and nature by:

• Working in collaboration with communities and agency partners.

• Delivering world-class science, technology, and land management.

• Providing access to resources and experiences that promote economic, ecological, and social vitality.

• Connecting people to the land and one another.

The Forest Service is composed of four Deputy Areas: 1) Business Operations; 2) Forest and Rangeland Research; 

3) National Forest System; and 4) State, Private, and Tribal Forestry.

Statutory Program Authorization

Forest Service Operations

Forest Service Operations was authorized in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94), 

Division D, Title IV, Section 435(a) (16 U.S.C 579e(a)). The account includes base salary and expenses of 

employees in the Chief’s Office, the Work Environment and Performance Office, the Business Operations Deputy 

Area, and the Chief Financial Officer’s Office; for the costs of facility maintenance repairs and leases for buildings 

and sites; for the costs of utility and communications expenses, business services, and information technology, 

including cybersecurity requirements; and for such other administrative support function expenses necessary for the 

operation of the Forest Service.

Forest and Rangeland Research

Forest and Rangeland Research was authorized in the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 

1974 (P.L. 93-378), (16 U.S.C. 1601-1608) and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 

4Strengthening Tribal Consultation and Nation-to-Native Relationships: A USDA Forest Service Action Plan. Found at:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fs_media/fs_document/Strengthening-Tribal-Relations.pdf. 5 The Forest Service’s long-term experimental areas consist of 76 experimental forests, four experimental ranges, and four

experimental watersheds; and are the largest and longest-lived ecological research areas in the United States. Additional 

information on these experimental areas can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/forestsandranges. 6 Forest Service Research and Development manages nearly 80 facilities, organized around five research stations and two 

research centers. Research stations include Rocky Mountain Research Station, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Pacific 

Northwest Research Station, Southern Research Station, and Northern Research Station. The two research centers are the Forest 

Products Laboratory and International Institute of Tropical Forestry. Additional information on these laboratories can be found 

at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/stations. 7 While the Forest Service administers Job Corps program, at these 24 sites, these and all other Job Corps centers are funded 

through the Department of Labor.
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1978 (P.L. 95-307), (16 U.S.C. 1641-1647). Forest and Rangeland Research conducts ecological, material, and 

social science research to understand ecosystems, including human interactions and influences, and improve the 

health and use of our Nation’s forests and grasslands. The Joint Fire Science Program was authorized in House 

Report 105-163 that accompanied the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 

(Public Law 105-83) and provides funding for the Forest Service and Department of the Interior to address issues 

associated with managing wildland fuels, fires, and fire-impacted ecosystems.

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry was authorized, in part, by the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (P.L. 

95-313), (16 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.). State, Private, and Tribal Forestry provides financial and technical assistance to 

non-Federal landowners and resource managers to sustain the nation’s forests and grasslands, protect communities 

from wildland fire, and restore fire-adapted ecosystems. These efforts in management, protection, conservation 

education, and resource use, help facilitate sound stewardship of lands across multiple jurisdictions, on a landscape 

scale, to produce ecological, social, and economic benefits for the American people. 

National Forest System 

National Forest System was authorized in part by the Organic Administration Act of 1897 (16 U.S.C. 551), the 

Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), the National Forest

Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a), and the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act (16 U.S.C. 528-531). 

National Forest System administers more than 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. National Forest 

System programs support planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of programs, projects, and 

activities that provide a variety of ecosystem services, including water-quality protection, public recreation, energy

resources for the Nation, timber and non-convertible forest products, maintenance of open space, and wildlife 

habitat and habitat connectivity. The National Forest System also supports robust heritage, minerals, geology, and 

law enforcement programs.

Capital Improvement and Maintenance

Capital Improvement and Maintenance was authorized, in part, by the Forest Roads and Trails Act (16 U.S.C. 532-

538), and 23 U.S.C. 101 et seq. Capital Improvement and Maintenance constructs, maintains, and improves facilities 

and recreation sites, roads, and trails on National Forest System lands, and enables the Forest Service to meet critical 

natural resource needs while providing safe access to public lands.

Land Acquisition

Land Acquisition was authorized. in part. by the Weeks Act (16 U.S.C. 515) and the General Exchange Act of 1922 

(16 U.S.C. 485, 486). Land Acquisition purchases, exchanges, and accepts donations of lands to achieve a desired 

national forest landownership pattern, protect critical resource areas, and provide public recreation opportunities on 

National Forest System lands.

Other Appropriations

Other Appropriations includes Range Betterment Fund; Gifts, Donations, and Bequests for Forest and Rangeland 

Research; Management of National Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses; and Communications Site Administration.

Range Betterment Fund is authorized by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1751). 

Range Betterment Fund provides for the rehabilitation, protection, and improvements of rangelands on National 

Forest System lands maintain healthy, resilient rangeland ecosystems. 

Gifts, Donations, and Bequests for Forest and Rangeland Research was authorized by the Forest and Rangeland 

Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1641 et seq.). This account accepts gifts, donations, and 

bequests for the establishment or operation any forest and rangeland research facility.

Management of National Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses is authorized by the Alaska National Interest Lands 

Conservation Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-487), Title VIII (16 U.S.C. 3111-3126). This account provides funding for 

habitat management projects that support subsistence harvesting activities on National Forest System lands in 

Alaska.

Communications Site Administration was authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, section 8705. 

This account allows for the collection and retention of administrative fees for communications site use 

authorizations, which are used to cover program administrative costs. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-11 

Wildland Fire Management

Wildland Fire Management is authorized, in part, by the Organic Administration Act of 1897 (16 U.S.C 551). 

Wildland Fire Management utilizes resources for the protection of life, property, and natural resources on National 

Forest System and adjacent lands from wildfires. 

Geographic Dispersion of Offices and Employees

The Forest Service headquarters is located in Washington, DC. The Forest Service is organized under nine Regions, 

and field activities are managed through 154 administrative units8

. Region 01 (Northern Region) is in Missoula, 

Montana. Region 02 (Rocky Mountain Region) is in Lakewood, Colorado. Region 03 (Southwestern Region) is in 

Albuquerque, New Mexico. Region 04 (Intermountain Region) is in Ogden, Utah. Region 05 (Pacific Southwest 

Region) is in Vallejo, California. Region 06 (Pacific Northwest Region) is in Portland, Oregon. Region 08 (Southern 

Region) is in Atlanta, Georgia. Region 09 (Eastern Region) is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Region 10 (Alaska Region) 

is in Juneau, Alaska. 

As of September 30, 2022, there were 29,410 permanent full-time employees, including 2,108 in the headquarters 

office, 27,302 in regional and field offices, not including vacancies. 

8 An administrative unit may include more than one proclaimed forest or grassland. Other non-forest or grassland units include 

national recreation areas, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, the 

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and the Savannah River Site.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-12 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG) AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO) REPORTS

The tables below provide a list of Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Government Accountability Office (GAO)

reports that were completed or in progress during 2022. The Forest Service continues to take GAO 

recommendations into consideration to help identify future budgetary needs. 

Table FS-1. 2022 Completed OIG Reports

ID Date* Title Results

08801-0001-41 10/07/2021 Regional Forester Authorities for Cost Share 

Agreements – Inspection

Closed – Forest Service implemented 

OIG recommendations

Table FS-2. 2022 In-Progress OIG Reports

ID Title Results

08801-0001-22 Forest Service's Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic at Recreation 

Sites – Inspection

Audit fieldwork in progress

08801-0002-24 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Community Wildfire Defense Grant 

Program for At-Risk Communities

Audit fieldwork in progress

08801-0001-21 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Hazardous Fuels Management Audit fieldwork in progress

08801-0002-41

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Restoration Projects on Federal/NonFederal LandAudit fieldwork in progress

Table FS-3. 2022 Completed GAO Reports

ID Date* Title Results

GAO-23-105517 11/17/2022 Wildland Fire: Barriers to Recruitment and Retention 

of Federal Wildland Firefighters

No GAO recommendations for Forest 

Service

GAO-21-110 04/05/2021 Native American Culture Resources: Improved 

Information Could Enhance Agencies’ Efforts to 

Analyze and Respond to Risks of Theft and Damage

Closed – Forest Service implemented 

GAO recommendations

GAO-21-42 11/24/2020 Disaster Response: Agencies Should Assess 

Contracting Workforce Needs and Purchase Card 

Fraud Risk

Closed – Forest Service implemented 

GAO recommendations

GAO-18-593 08/15/2018 Federal Timber Sales: Forest Service and BLM Should 

Review Their Regulations and Policies Related to 

Timber Export and Substitution

Closed – Forest Service implemented 

GAO recommendations

GAO-16-165 02/22/2016 Hardrock Mining: BLM and Forest Service Have 

Taken Some Actions to Expedite the Mine Plan 

Review Process but Could Do More

Closure requested with GAO, 

awaiting GAO review of Forest 

Service corrective actions

Table FS-4. 2022 In-Progress GAO Reports

ID Title Results

GAO-106213 Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Environmental Modeling: Wildfires, 

Storms, and Floods

Audit fieldwork in progress 

GAO-105408 Abandoned Hardrock Mines: Land Management Agencies Should 

Improve Reporting of Total Cleanup Costs

Audit fieldwork in progress

GAO-105292 Contracting for Wildfire Response & Recovery Audit fieldwork in progress

GAO-104723 Effects of Wildfires on Air Quality and Public Health Audit fieldwork in progress

GAO-105865 Orphaned Well Program Audit fieldwork in progress

*All dates are the audit report issuance date
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-13 

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENTS

Table FS-5. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In Dollars) 

Forest Service Operations

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $1,152,744,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... + 163,755,000 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 1,316,499,000 

Forest and Rangeland Research

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $307,273,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... + 41,809,000 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 349,082,000 

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $337,758,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... -10,089,000 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 327,669,000 

National Forest System

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $1,974,388,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... + 251,892,000 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 2,226,280,000 

Capital Improvement and Maintenance

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $158,048,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... + 76,952,000 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 235,000,000 

Land Acquisition

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $814,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... 0 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 814,000 

Other Appropriations

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $2,863,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... +2,000,000 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 4,863,000 

Wildland Fire Management

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $945,956,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... + 2,024,664,000 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 2,970,620,000 

Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $2,210,000,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... + 90,000,000 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-14 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 2,300,000,000 

Permanent Appropriations

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $577,000,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... 0 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 577,000,000 

Trust Funds

Enacted, 2023..................................................................................................................................... $341,129,000 

Change in Appropriation.................................................................................................................... + 6,499,000 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ....................................................................................................................... 347,628,000 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-15 

REVENUE, RECEIPTS AND TRANSFERS

Table FS-6. 2021 - 2024 National Forest Fund (NFF) Receipts Availability (thousands of dollars)

Receipt Type 2021

Actual

2022

Actual

2023

Estimate

2024

Estimate

National Forest Fund Receipts:

Class 1 – Timber................................................................... $9,422 $5,555 $10,493 $10,231

Class 2 - Grazing East............................................................. 144 183 132 144

Class 3 - Land Use .................................................................. 25,622 25,492 24,463 24,824

Class 4 - Recreation Special Uses........................................... 111,867 105,740 90,786 90,920

Class 5 – Power....................................................................... 12,735 19,251 12,801 13,936

Class 6 – Minerals................................................................... 1,048 860 880 857

Class 8 - Grazing West............................................................ 4,927 5,092 5,204 5,176

Class 9 – Quartz Crystals........................................................ 1 0 1 1

Subtotal, NFF Receipts ....................................................... 165,766 162,173 144,759 146,088

Additions and Reductions other than Payments to States:

DOI:ONRR/MMS Minerals Revenue NFF a .......................... 14,774 25,766 16,896 17,580

Minnesota Boundary Water Canoe Area................................. -6,150 -6,150 -6,150 -6,150

Timber Roads - Purchaser Election Program ......................... -2,000 -2,000 -2,000 -2,000

Acquisition of Lands for National Forest Special Acts........... -664 -664 -664 -664

50% Grazing (Range Betterment Fund).................................. -2,474 -2,546 -2,604 -2,591

10% Roads & Trails................................................................ -18,888 -20,171 -17,034 -17,320

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Expansion .................... -794 -937 -744 -786

Other Special Act Payments (Arkansas Quartz and Quinault 

Special Management Area) b ................................................ -2 -49 -14 -17

Subtotal, Additions and Reductions other than Payments 

to States............................................................................ -16,198 -6,751 -12,314 -11,949

Payments to States Reductions:

PTS - 25% 7-year Rolling Average of Receipts Payment b, c... -13,412 -13,984 -13,120 -13,242

SRS - Title II Allocation - SRS2............................................. -25,757 -23,568 -23,635 -23,746

SRS - Failure to Elect Allocation – SRSA.............................. -206 -220 -197 -201

SRS - Allocation to Treasury .................................................. -124 -132 -118 -120

Subtotal, Payments to States Reductions ............................ -39,499 -37,904 -37,070 -37,308

Total, Receipts Available for SRS - Title I and III................. 110,069 117,518 95,375 96,831

a Compensation programs related to energy and mineral development on National Forest System lands are administered by the 

Department of the Interior.

b Revenue-sharing and Secure Rural Schools payments are nonexempt, nondefense mandatory spending; therefore, are subject to 

annual sequestration, if applicable, through 2029 (P.L. 112-25).

c The reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act of 2000 (Secure Rural Schools Act) 

was included in Section 41202 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Public Law 117-58), which was signed into law on 

November 15, 2021. The reauthorization not only extended payments through 2023, but also reset the full funding amount used 

to calculate the Secure Rural Schools Act formula payments to the 2017 level of funding. S.3706 provided for the application of 

certain provisions.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-16 

Organization Chart
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-17 

AVAILABLE FUNDS AND FTES

Table FS-7. Available Funds and FTEs (thousands of dollars)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Enacted FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Forest Service Operations:

Discretionary Appropriations ....... $1,051,396 2,359 $1,078,920 2,547 $1,152,744 2,577 $1,316,499 2,548

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

(P.L. 117-58) ............................. - - 210,369 98 71,562 170 71,562 187

Supplemental Appropriations....... - - 105,000 2 - 2 - -

Offsetting Collections................... - - 374 - - - - -

Forest and Rangeland Research:

Discretionary Appropriations ....... 258,347 1,442 296,616 1,467 307,273 1,492 349,082 1,611

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

(P.L. 117-58) ............................. - - 66,500 - 40,450 20 40,450 40

Supplemental Appropriations....... - 4 25,000 3 2,000 25 - 15

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry:

Discretionary Appropriations ....... 260,958 387 315,198 386 337,758 396 327,669 486

Mandatory Appropriations............ 94,255 7 83,813 18 77,940 33 94,255 37

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

(P.L. 117-58) ............................. - - 273,196 4 269,411 58 269,411 59

Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-

169)............................................ - - 2,750,000 - - 21 - 103

Supplemental Appropriations....... - - 50,000 - 148,000 - - -

National Forest System:

Discretionary Appropriations ....... 1,770,352 13,166 1,866,545 13,298 1,974,388 13,362 2,226,280 14,654

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

(P.L. 117-58) ............................. - - 496,159 273 447,806 303 447,806 726

Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-

169)............................................ - - 350,000 - - - - -

Supplemental Appropriations....... - 65 710,000 30 210,000 84 - 65

Offsetting Collections................... - - - - - - - -

Capital Improvement and 

Maintenance:

Discretionary Appropriations ....... 140,107 95 159,049 - 158,048 - 235,000 -

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

(P.L. 117-58) ............................. - - 60,120 - 55,511 - 55,511 -

Supplemental Appropriations....... - 15 470,000 11 150,000 46 - 41

Land Acquisition:

Discretionary Appropriations ....... -3,475 12 814 2 814 - 814 -

Mandatory Appropriations............ 126,762 25 127,158 44 126,995 25 126,995 25

Other Appropriations:

Discretionary Appropriations ....... 3,840 4 2,863 - 2,863 - 4,863 -

Offsetting Collections................... - - - - - - - -

Wildland Fire Management:

Discretionary Appropriationsa ...... 4,691,234 10,281 2,005,106 9,716 2,116,956 9,749 2,970,620 14,838

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

(P.L. 117-58) ............................. - - 551,550 63 36,000 409 36,000 8

Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-

169)............................................ - - 1,800,000 - - 373 - 472

Supplemental Appropriations....... - 2 - - 375,000 - - -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-18 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Enacted FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Wildfire Suppression Operations 

Reserve Fund:

Discretionary Appropriations ....... -730,000 - 350,000 - 440,000 - 530,000 -

Permanent Appropriations:

Mandatory Appropriations............ 755,414 893 860,787 872 877,624 961 889,000 961

Offsetting Collections................... 5,641 23 113 21 - 21 - 21

Trust Funds:

Mandatory Appropriations............ 115,907 368 333,777 248 357,129 453 347,628 453

Offsetting Collections................... 24,934 106 25,439 91 25,439 91 25,439 91

Total Discretionary 

Appropriations........................... 7,442,759 27,746 6,075,111 27,416 6,490,844 27,576 7,960,827 34,137

Total Mandatory Appropriations..... 1,092,338 1,293 1,405,535 1,182 1,439,688 1,472 1,457,878 1,476

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 

117-58)b ................................... - - 1,657,894 438 920,740 960 920,740 1,020

Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-

169)c.............................................. - - 4,900,000 - - 394 - 575

Total Supplemental Appropriationsd - 86 1,360,000 46 885,000 157 - 121

Total Offsetting Collections............. 30,575 129 25,926 112 25,439 112 25,439 112

Total Appropriationse ................. 8,565,672 29,254 15,424,466 29,194 9,761,711 30,671 10,364,884 37,441

Deferral for Roads and Trails for 

States ............................................ -13,189 - -18,888 - -19,000 - - -

Recoveries, Other ............................ 297,642 - 351,322 - 231,712 - 235,170 -

Balance Available, SOY.................. 3,610,421 - 3,217,547 - 11,032,875 - 9,757,011 -

Total Available............................... 12,460,546 29,254 18,974,447 29,194 21,007,298 30,671 20,357,065 37,441

Lapsing Balances............................. -652 - -186 - - - - -

Balance Available, EOY.................. -3,217,547 - -11,032,875 - -9,757,011 - -8,664,099 -

Total Obligations........................... 9,242,347 29,254 7,941,386 29,194 11,250,287 30,671 11,692,966 37,441

Total Other FTEs........................... - - - 1,953

Total FTEs...................................... - 29,254 - 31,147 a The Hazardous Fuels program will be shifted from National Forest System to Wildland Fire Management beginning in fiscal 

year 2024. b The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) provided $1,666,360,000 appropriations in FY 2022 and provided 

$945,160,000 advance appropriations in FY 2023 and FY 2024. c The Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169) provided $4.9 billion appropriations in FY 2022. d FY 2022 supplemental appropriations include disaster relief (P.L. 117-43), which provided $1,360,000,000 for necessary 

expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred between calendar years 2019 through 2021. FY 

2023 supplemental appropriations include emergency supplemental (P.L. 117-328, Division N), which provided $885 million for 

necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural

disasters. Division N also provided $1.171 billion in base recurring funds for Wildland Fire Suppression and Forest Fire 

Presuppression. 

e The discrepancy between the project statement and Max schedule X is reimbursable funds.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-19 

PERMANENT POSITIONS BY GRADE AND Full Time Equivalents (FTE’s)

Table FS-8. Permanent Positions by Grade and FTE’s 

Item

D.C. Field

2021 

Actual 

Total D.C. Field

2022 

Actual 

Total D.C. Field

2023 

Estimated 

Total D.C. Field

2024 

Estimated 

Total

SES a 14 53 67 49 64 113 52 70 122 55 74 129

GS-15 51 377 428 178 450 628 209 529 738 250 633 883

GS-14 b 188 586 774 288 195 1,089 339 229 568 405 274 679

GS-13 b 202 2,210 2,412 213 2,190 2,405 255 2,581 2,836 304 3,079 3,383

GS-12 148 3,149 3,297 82 2,988 3,072 96 3,513 3,608 115 4,206 4,321

GS-11 63 4,756 4,819 73 4,145 4,218 86 4,873 4,958 103 5,827 5,929

GS-10 - 167 167 - 427 427 - 502 502 - 604 604

GS-9 b 43 4,504 4,547 65 4,041 4,106 76 4,751 4,827 91 5,697 5,788

GS-8 8 1,545 1,553 3 1,606 1,609 4 1,888 1,892 5 2,257 2,262

GS-7 b 11 4,075 4,086 22 3,540 3,562 26 4,162 4,188 31 4,977 5,008

GS-6 2 2,003 2,005 2 1,855 1,856 2 2,180 2,183 3 2,607 2,610

GS-5 b 6 2,712 2,718 2 2,315 2,317 2 2,722 2,724 3 3,255 3,258

GS-4 2 749 751 - 847 847 - 995 995 - 1,190 1,190

GS-3 - 86 86 - 130 130 - 153 153 - 183 183

GS-2 - 7 7 2 9 13 2 11 13 3 13 16

GS-1 - 3 3 - 2 2 - 2 2 - 3 3

Other 

Graded c ... 2 860 862 - 850 850 - 999 999 - 1,195 1,195

Total 

Permanent 740 27,842 28,582 979 25,653 27,243 1,150 30,160 31,310 1,367 36,075 37,441

Unfilled, 

EOY......... - - 7,311 - - 2,167 - - 1,960 - - 1,960

Total Perm. 

FT EOY ... 740 27,842 35,893 979 25,653 29,410 1,150 30,160 33,270 1,367 36,075 39,401

FTE ............. 31,147 33,270 39,401

a Includes pay plans ES, SL, and ST.

b Includes pay plan GL. 

c Includes pay plans WG, WL, and WS

Note: In addition to the numbers above, there are temporary positions as well.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-20 

MOTOR VEHICLE FLEET

The Forest Service uses a revolving Working Capital Fund (WCF) to finance its fleet operations. A monthly Fixed 

Ownership Rate (FOR) and a per-mile use rate are assessed for each owned and GSA-leased vehicle. These 

expenses are then pooled from the agency’s annual appropriated funds and are deposited into specific WCF accounts 

that make up the revolving fund. Funds are used to finance agency fleet operations that include repairs, fuel, 

maintenance, infrastructure support, program management costs, vehicle depreciation, and vehicle replacements.

The Forest Service vehicle fleet supports approximately 28,000 permanent full-time employees and an additional 

12,000 seasonal employees, the majority of which are hired for fire suppression activities. There are approximately 

15,400 fleet vehicles that support year-round missions. An additional 2,300 vehicles are retained beyond their 

minimum replacement standard to support the seasonal workforce. Although these vehicles receive lower utilization, 

they provide a cost-effective alternative to commercial leases or rental options. At any given time, there are roughly 

1,200 vehicles are in the process of being prepared for service or prepared for disposal9

. All vehicles are reported 

annually through the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Automotive Statistical Tool (FAST).

The Forest Service is structured into regions, forests/grasslands/stations, and districts. Line officers at different 

levels of the organization are responsible for determining the composition and quantity of vehicles required to meet 

their mission goals. Fleet composition is facilitated using a vehicle allocation methodology (VAM) that considers 

how often a vehicle is used, the total cost of ownership (TCO) lifecycle analysis, budgetary constraints, operating 

environment, and personnel supported. Line officers are responsible for assigning vehicles to drivers per specific 

mission requirements. Fleet program managers coordinate the certification and authorization of drivers with 

supervisors, monitor fleet composition and utilization rates through the TCO and VAM process, and recommend 

how to optimize fleet size.

The Forest Service aims to manage its fleet program in the most cost-effective way possible, including alternativefueled vehicles to fulfill mission goals. The Forest Service also works to meet or exceed the required annual 

utilization rate benchmarks for vehicles, which can be challenging given the seasonality of agency work and limited 

access to remote sites or work areas within National Forest System lands. The Forest Service continues to share 

vehicles and explore other opportunities to increase utilization rates. Finally, as oversight of fleet programs 

increases, the agency is aligning and automating data to better respond to oversight and audit requirements in an 

efficient and cost-effective manner.

Replacement Criteria

Minimum vehicle replacement standards are three years or 60,000 miles. The Forest Service will retain 

Government-owned motor vehicles that exceed minimum vehicle replacement standards if the motor vehicle can be 

operated safely without excessive maintenance costs or substantial reduction in resale value.

Fleet Size

At the end of 2022, the agency’s motor vehicle fleet totaled 18,284 of these motor vehicles 17,624 were in active 

inventory and 602 were in the process of being sold. The remaining 58 are in the process of being upfitted for 

service. The on-hand fleet inventory was higher than anticipated at the end of the fiscal year due to an increase in the 

agency’s mission associated with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation 

is increasing the pace and scale of efforts to mitigate wildfire risk and invest in renewal of infrastructure within 

National Forest System lands. Due to uncertainty in the production and delivery of new vehicles to support these 

two legislative priorities, additional vehicles are being held in the holdover fleet for longer periods of time to allow 

for our fleet capacity to expand as staffing increases. The Forest Service is continuing to monitor fleet utilization to 

identify vehicles to reallocate internally before acquiring additional vehicles and will continue to implement fleet 

telematics in 2023 to monitor and manage fleet utilization more effectively. This initiative will also provide the 

types of fleet operational data needed to accelerate the transition towards hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric battery 

vehicles in support of government-wide fleet decarbonization objectives. The Forest Service will continue to 

prioritize resources in support of the Administration’s goal to transition the Federal motor vehicle fleet to clean and 

zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). This Budget requests increased funding specifically for ZEVs and to accelerate the 

9 “Disposal” is defined in the FAST reporting system as removal from the agency fleet.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-21 

installation of charging infrastructure. In addition, base funding in the fleet program supports USDA’s efforts to 

bring ZEVs into the fleet and accelerate the installation of charging stations. 

Price and Cost Increases

The transition away from petroleum-fueled vehicles will also serve as a hedge against future fuel price increases. 

According to the Federal Reserve Economic Data website, the weekly price per gallon for motor fuels in 2022 rose 

18.8 percent. While the consumer price indices (CPI) also increased for new vehicles, maintenance and repair, and 

parts (by 9.4 percent, 11.1 percent, and 13.4 percent, respectively), the CPI for used cars and trucks is helping to 

offset some of these price increases by increasing revenue from the sale of used vehicles (up 7.2 percent during 

2022). Overall, these numbers indicate that vehicle costs will continue to increase – especially when considering the 

additional costs involved in adding fleet telematics and deploying electric vehicle supply equipment to support 

vehicle recharging. 

Fleetwide operating costs will also grow significantly based on the increase in the number of vehicles needed for 

expanding missions associated with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. As additional 

vehicles are ordered, their initial acquisition will be funded through donations to the WCF from the requesting 

programs’ appropriations. Once delivered and placed in service, programs pay monthly and mileage rates into the 

WCF.

Table FS-9. Size, Composition, and Annual Costs of Motor Vehicle Fleet

Item

Sedans 

and 

Station 

Wagons Vans SUVs

Light 

Trucks 

4X2

Light 

Trucks 

4X4

Medium 

Duty 

Vehicles Buses

Heavy 

Duty 

Vehicles

Total 

Vehicles

Annual 

Operating 

Costs

2018 End of Year 

Operating Inventory .... 277 79 2,301 461 5,882 6,539 80 2,079 17,698 $88,608,809

2021 End of Year 

Operating Inventory .... 221 101 2,542 344 5,789 6,875 81 2,171 18,124 94,715,779

2022 Planned Acquisitions 7 3 164 20 436 666 7 174 1,477

2022 Planned Disposals .... 30 12 232 36 414 458 7 128 1,317

2022 End of Year 

Operating Inventory .... 198 92 2,474 328 5,811 7,083 81 2,217 18,284 99,472,988

2023 Planned Acquisitions 63 25 207 52 703 807 3 37 1,897

2023 Planned Disposals .... 63 25 159 52 439 514 3 32 1,287

2023 End of Year 

Operating Inventory .... 198 92 2,522 328 6,075 7,376 81 2,222 18,894 123,349,987

2024 Planned Acquisitions 26 16 244 35 666 751 7 32 1,777

2024 Planned Disposals .... 26 16 244 35 666 751 7 32 1,777

2024 End of Year 

Operating Inventory .... 198 92 2,522 328 6,075 7,376 81 2,222 18,894 128,283,986

Notes: The number of vehicles by type include agency-owned and leased from commercial sources or GSA. Annual Operating 

Costs excludes acquisition costs and gains from sale of vehicles as shown in FAST.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-22 

SHARED FUNDING PROJECTS

Table FS-10. Shared Funding Projects (thousands of dollars)

Item 2021 

Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Working Capital Fund:

Administrative Services:

Materiel Management Service................................................... $928 $874 $712 $748

Mail and Reproduction Services ............................................... 820 482 506 519

Integrated Procurement Systems............................................... 8,235 8,637 8,543 8,746

Procurement Operations Services.............................................. 126 73 90 101

Human Resources Enterprise Management Systems ................ 1,154 1,064 997 918

Subtotal, Administrative Services .......................................... 11,263 11,130 10,848 11,032

Communications:

Creative Media and Broadcast Center....................................... 496 434 492 590

Finance and Management:

National Finance Center............................................................ 8,116 8,708 8,302 8,635

Financial Management Systems................................................ - 575 313 314

Internal Control Support Services............................................. 489 382 299 307

Financial Management Support Services.................................. 47,085 45,341 45,450 48,855

Subtotal, Finance and Management........................................ 55,690 55,006 54,364 58,111

Information Technology:

AskUSDA Contact Center......................................................... - - 1,102 1,145

Client Experience Center........................................................... 23,159 56,884 53,147 54,606

Department Administration Information Technology Office.... 10 1,123 12 12

Digital Infrastructure Services Center....................................... 41,791 51,691 39,534 37,695

Enterprise Cybersecurity Services............................................. - - 8,718 9,093

Enterprise Data and Analytics Services..................................... - - 1,497 1,549

Enterprise Network Services..................................................... 16,940 15,172 29,966 29,035

Subtotal, Information Technology.......................................... 81,900 124,870 133,976 133,134

Correspondence Management Services:

Personnel Document Security ................................................... - - 1,547 1,657

Office of the Executive Secretariat............................................ 509 401 490 512

Subtotal, Correspondence Management Services................... 509 401 2,037 2,170

Total, Working Capital Fund 149,858 191,841 201,717 205,037

Department-Wide Shared Cost Programs:

Advisory Committee Liaison Services......................................... 267 285 313 313

Agency Partnership Outreach....................................................... 2,071 1,962 2,540 2,540

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility ............................. - - 677 677

Human Resources Priority Goals Program................................... 2 - 1,289 1,289

Intertribal Technical Assistance Network .................................... 1,022 1,079 1,124 1,124

Medical Services.......................................................................... 126 144 202 202

National Capital Region Interpreting Services............................. 75 30 118 118

Office of Customer Experience.................................................... 2,901 2,708 1,016 1,016

Personnel and Document Security Program................................. 640 667 - -

Physical Security.......................................................................... 1,287 1,322 1,438 1,438

Security Detail.............................................................................. 1,384 1,400 1,638 1,638
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-23 

Item 2021 

Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Security Operations...................................................................... 1,944 1,927 2,227 2,227

Talent Group ................................................................................ - - 1,141 1,141

TARGET Center .......................................................................... 356 398 552 552

USDA Enterprise Data Analytics Services .................................. 1,631 1,366 - -

Total, Department-Wide Shared Cost Programs....................... 13,706 13,288 14,275 14,275

E-Gov:

Budget Formulation and Execution Line of Business.................. 28 37 34 34

Disaster Assistance Improvement Plan ........................................ - - - -

Enterprise Human Resources Integration..................................... - 72 - -

E-Rulemaking .............................................................................. 41 51 45 37

E-Training .................................................................................... - - - -

Financial Management Line of Business ..................................... 79 85 85 85

Geospatial Line of Business......................................................... 12 13 12 13

Benefits.gov ................................................................................. - - - -

Grants.gov.................................................................................... 4 11 9 9

Human Resources Line of Business............................................. 90 90 93 93

Integrated Acquisition Environment ............................................ 739 193 238 212

Total, E-Gov .................................................................................. 993 552 516 483

Total, Forest Service ..................................................................... 164,557 205,681 216,508 219,795
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-24 

FOREST SERVICE OPERATIONS

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT

Table FS-11. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars)

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $1,152,744,000

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... +163,755,000

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 1,316,499,000

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

The appropriations language follows (new language underscored; deleted matter enclosed in brackets):

1 Forest Service Operations

2 For necessary expenses of the Forest Service, not otherwise provided for, [$1,152,744,000]$1,316,499,000, to 

3 remain available through September 30, [2026]2027: Provided, That a portion of the funds made available under 

4 this heading shall be for the base salary and expenses of employees in the Chief's Office, the Work Environment and 

5 Performance Office, the Business Operations Deputy Area, and the Chief Financial Officer's Office to carry out 

6 administrative and general management support functions: Provided further, That of the funds provided under this 

7 heading for organizational services, $1,200,000 shall be available for the hire and purchase of zero emission 

8 passenger motor vehicles and supporting charging or fueling infrastructure: Provided further, That funds provided 

9 under this heading shall be available for the costs of facility maintenance, repairs, and leases for buildings and sites 

10 where these administrative, general management and other Forest Service support functions take place; the costs of 

11 all utility and telecommunication expenses of the Forest Service, as well as business services; and, for information 

12 technology, including cyber security requirements: Provided further, That funds provided under this heading may be 

13 used for necessary expenses to carry out administrative and general management support functions of the Forest 

14 Service not otherwise provided for and necessary for its operation. 

Change Description

The first change (lines 6 through 8 of paragraph 1) adds language for funding provided for zero emission vehicles and 

supporting charging or fueling infrastructure.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-25 

PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-12. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs) 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Discretionary Appropriations:

Facilities Maintenance and Leases.................. $158,900 - $160,900 - $169,900 - $245,900 - +$76,000 - (1)

Information Technology and Centralized 

Processing .................................................... 406,006 - 405,742 - 450,000 - 502,149 - +52,149 - (2)

Organizational Services................................... 136,413 - 142,278 - 143,438 - 163,757 - +20,319 - (3)

Salaries and Expenses..................................... 350,077 2,359 370,000 2,547 389,406 2,577 404,693 2,548 +15,287 -29 (4)

Subtotal, Discretionary Appropriations........ 1,051,396 2,359 1,078,920 2,547 1,152,744 2,577 1,316,499 2,548 +163,755 -29

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)a:

Information Technology and Centralized 

Processing (BIL) .......................................... - - 93,586 - 37,272 - 37,272 - - - 

Organizational Services (BIL) ........................ - - 54,048 - 26,945 - 26,945 - - - 

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ........................... - - 62,735 98 7,345 170 7,345 187 - +17 

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law........ - - 210,639 98 71,562 170 71,562 187 - +17

Supplemental Appropriations:

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-43)b ... - - 105,000 2 - 2 - - - -2

Subtotal, Supplemental Appropriations........ - - 105,000 2 - 2 - - - -2

Offsetting Collections:

COVID-19 Emergency Leave......................... - - 374 - - - - - - -

Subtotal, Offsetting Collections................... - - 374 - - - - - - -

Total, Adjusted Appropriations.......................... 1,051,396 2,359 1,394,663 2,647 1,224,306 2,749 1,388,061 2,735 +163,755 -14

Add back:

Transfers In and Out........................................ -25,233 - -218,142 - -71,562 - -71,562 - - -

Total, Appropriationsc ..................................... 1,026,163 2,359 1,176,521 2,647 1,152,744 2,749 1,316,499 2,735 +163,755 -14

Transfers In:

Capital Improvement and Maintenance .......... 264 - 11,520 - 8,729 - 8,729 - - -

Forest and Rangeland Research ...................... 413 - 3,000 - - - - - - -

National Forest System ................................... 15,668 - 128,027 - 30,791 - 30,791 - - -

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry................... 6,034 - 47,770 - 27,722 - 27,722 - - -

Wildland Fire Management............................. 4,025 - 30,000 - 4,320 - 4,320 - - -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-26 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Total, Transfers In.............................................. 26,404 - 220,317 - 71,562 - 71,562 - - -

Transfers Out:

Department of the Interior............................... -1,171 - -2,175 - - - - - - -

Total, Transfers Out........................................... -1,171 - -2,175 - - - - - - -

Recoveries, Other ........................................... - - 9,935 - 4,416 - 6,341 - +1,925 -

Balance Available, SOY ................................. - - 29,920 - 211,352 - 146,562 - -64,790 -

Total Available ................................................. 1,051,396 2,359 1,434,518 2,647 1,440,074 2,749 1,540,964 2,735 +100,890 -14

Bal. Available, EOY ....................................... -29,920 - -211,352 - -146,562 - -128,285 - +18,277 -

Total Obligations.............................................. 1,021,476 2,359 1,238,031 2,647 1,293,512 2,749 1,412,679 2,735 +119,167 -14

a The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) are advance appropriations and provides funding in 2022 through 2026. Funds aligned to BIL items are transfers in from other 

accounts.

b P.L. 117-43 provided $105,000,000 for necessary expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred between calendar years 2019 through 2021.

c The discrepancy between the project statement and Max schedule X is reimbursable funds.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-27 

Table FS-13. Obligations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs) 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Discretionary Obligations:

Facilities Maintenance and Leases.................... $149,544 - $156,497 - $169,150 - $240,246 - +$71,096 -

Information Technology and Centralized 

Processing ...................................................... 404,977 - 427,663 - 453,038 - 506,324 - +53,286 -

Organizational Services..................................... 127,341 - 149,864 - 144,441 - 163,787 - +19,346 -

Salaries and Expenses....................................... 339,614 2,359 369,822 2,547 389,242 2,577 404,582 2,548 +15,340 -29

Subtotal, Discretionary Obligations ............... 1,021,476 2,359 1,103,846 2,547 1,155,871 2,577 1,314,939 2,548 +159,068 -29

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)a:

Information Technology and Centralized 

Processing (BIL) ............................................ - - 52,040 - 43,828 - 40,182 - -3,646 -

Organizational Services (BIL) .......................... - - 21,072 - 23,362 - 24,759 - +1,397 -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ............................. - - 12,008 98 21,760 170 25,181 187 +3,421 +17

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.......... - - 85,120 98 88,950 170 90,122 187 +1,172 +17

Supplemental Obligations:

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-43)b .. - - 48,691 2 48,691 2 7,618 - -41,073 -2

Subtotal, Supplemental Obligations............... - - 48,691 2 48,691 2 7,618 - -41,073 -2

Offsetting Collections:

COVID-19 Emergency Leave........................... - - 374 - - - - - - -

Subtotal, Offsetting Collections Obligations.. - - 374 - - - - - - -

Total Obligations................................................ 1,021,476 2,359 1,238,031 2,647 1,293,512 2,749 1,412,679 2,735 +119,167 -14

Balances Available, EOY:

Facilities Maintenance and Leases.................... 9,356 - 13,534 - 14,628 - 20,776 - +6,148 -

Information Technology and Centralized 

Processing ...................................................... 1,029 - 4,764 - 5,047 - 5,641 - +594 -

Organizational Services..................................... 9,072 - 7,787 - 7,505 - 8,510 - +1,005 -

Salaries and Expenses....................................... 10,463 - 3,709 - 3,903 - 4,057 - +154 -

Information Technology and Centralized 

Processing (BIL) ............................................ - - 41,546 - 34,990 - 32,080 - -2,910 -

Organizational Services (BIL) .......................... - - 32,976 - 36,559 - 38,745 - +2,186 -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ............................. - - 50,727 - 36,312 - 18,476 - -17,836 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-28 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-43)b .. - - 56,309 - 7,618 - - - -7,618 -

Total, Balances Available, EOY .......................... 29,920 - 211,352 - 146,562 - 128,285 - -18,277 -

Total Available ................................................... 1,051,396 2,359 1,449,383 2,647 1,440,074 2,749 1,540,964 2,735 +100,890 -14

Less:

Total Transfers In.............................................. -26,404 - -220,207 - -71,562 - -71,562 - - -

Total Transfers Out ........................................... 1,171 - 2,175 - - - - - - -

Recoveries, Other ............................................. - - -9,935 - -4,416 - -6,341 - -1,925 -

Balance Available, SOY ................................... - - -29,920 - -211,352 - -146,562 - +64,790 -

Total Appropriation........................................... 1,026,163 2,359 1,191,496 2,647 1,152,744 2,749 1,316,499 2,735 +163,755 -14

a The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) are advance appropriations and provides funding in 2022 through 2026. Funds aligned to BIL items are transfers in from other 

accounts.

b P.L. 117-43 provided $105,000,000 for necessary expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred between calendar years 2019 through 2021.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-29 

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES

The numbers and letters of the following listing relates to values in the Change (Chg) Key column of the Project 

Statement.

Facilities Maintenance and Leases

(1) An increase of $76,000,000 ($169,900,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

An increase of $14,300,000 to offset anticipated inflationary increases in Forest Service leasing and security

costs. This increase is needed for the agency to continue to adequately fund leases for buildings and sites that 

support the Forest Service workforce in accomplishing its program of work. The agency continues to pursue 

consolidation and co-location opportunities to reduce lease costs, however these efforts will not outrun inflation. 

In 2023 and 2024 the agency will continue to struggle to perform health and safety maintenance when leasing 

costs are projected to consume 75 percent of program funding in 2024. Insufficient program funding hampers 

the agency’s ability to invest in USDA and Forest Service priorities of reducing emissions and decarbonizing 

Federal operations and infrastructure. This funding will allow the agency to right size our fire, administrative, 

and other facilities portfolio and shift future investments to owned facility maintenance. If this funding is not 

provided, the Forest Service would be negatively impacted with the inability to pay leasing and security costs 

for the agency’s currently leased facilities. 

An increase of $11,700,000 to expedite repairs and improvements to existing Forest Service-owned facilities. In 

2022, the Forest Service struggled to address pressing health and safety maintenance needs and critical repairs 

of old water and wastewater systems, leaking roofs, heating and cooling systems, and structural deficiencies of 

fire, administrative and other facilities. At the requested level, the program would be able to address a small 

portion of the fire, administrative, and other facility maintenance needs that relate to caring for employees and 

make a positive impact on recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive workforce. If this funding is not 

provided, the Forest Service would be negatively impacted with the inability to perform critical health and 

safety maintenance for Forest Service owned facilities. Deferring necessary maintenance to owned facility 

deterioration and higher costs in outyears to fund the repairs. 

An increase of $50,000,000 to address urgent and necessary deferred maintenance and repairs of Forest Service 

housing units and housing shortages primarily for firefighters. A shortage of Forest Service employee housing 

leads employees to seek other housing and/or employment options. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and an 

overall increase in cost of living have led to a lack of available and affordable housing across the nation—a 

trend expected to continue over the next few years. Many Forest Service duty stations are in areas where having 

agency-owned housing in good condition could mitigate significant challenges for the Forest Service in 

recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees. A robust workforce is needed to deliver critical projects and 

services to the American public and the lack of suitable housing impacts our capacity to do the restoration work 

outlined in in the “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: A 10-Year Implementation Plan.” 

Information Technology and Centralized Processing

(2) An increase of $52,149,000 ($450,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The Forest Service Information Technology and Centralized Processing program funds all agency information 

technology support including funds transferred to the Department under the Working Capital Fund (WCF) 

Program. This increase includes $1 million to be used on a pilot to leverage the recreation.gov platform for 

providing customers with digital maps of Federal lands, in accordance with MAPLand Act directives. This 

increase also will partially address anticipated cost increases in information technology systems. The 

Department request for information technology WCF program costs increased $25 million from 2022 to 2024. 

The increase includes funding for the new Enterprise Cyber Security and Data & Analytics Services Activity 

Centers. In 2022, the Forest Service continued to refine the information technology baseline expenses postbudget structure modernization, the USDA WCF and departmental shared services related to information 

technology, and the ongoing implementation of an increased remote workforce. In 2021, the program was 

appropriated $374 million; however, total program obligations exceeded $438 million that fiscal year. In 2022, 

the total available program funds – including 2022 appropriations and 2021 carryover balances – was $397 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-30 

million ($396 million in appropriations and $1 million in carryover balances); however, total program 

obligations exceeded $570 million. The current process for offsetting these funding shortfalls is to continue to 

use prior year carryover balances, transfer funds from other programs, utilize recovered funds, and make use of 

supplemental appropriations. However, this process of taking from other areas and relying on recovered funds is 

not a sustainable way to fund vital information technology requirements.

The President’s Budget requests for 2021 and 2022 were formulated prior to the convergence of the abovenamed drivers and did not account for increased costs to support the Forest Service workforce temporarily 

shifting to a remote work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Forest Service 

continued to obligate funds toward traditional facilities and infrastructure during the pandemic to maintain 

operations and provide service to the public, including $47 million for landline telephones, hardwire computer

networks, and office printers, which resulted in a net increase to information technology costs without a 

corresponding offset in decreased facility costs. This, along with ongoing exploration of how to modernize and 

improve program efficiencies, is an area for further analysis and potential cost savings that will continue to 

evolve as the Forest Service’s remote work strategy continues to take shape. In the meantime, the Forest Service 

continues to accomplish its mission through a combination of in-office, telework, and remote work options.

Two years after budget structure modernization and with two years of actual cost data, total information 

technology costs are becoming clearer. Program expenditures are expected to exceed $571 million in 2023 and 

the current agency estimates for 2024 program expenditures are expected to be around $603 million. The Forest 

Service appreciates Congress’ anticipation of these challenges by granting broad transfer authority as an interim 

measure to allow for flexibility, and this increase provides a step toward matching the base funding for IT costs 

to their actual expenditures. Without these funds, the Forest Service would be negatively impacted by the 

ongoing need to consume prior year and current year program funds to support information technology 

requirements or by reducing information technology services.

Organizational Services

(3) An increase of $ 20,319,000 in Organizational Services ($143,438,000 enacted in 2023). 

The Forest Service Organizational Services program funds the general and administrative support agreements 

and contracts across the agency including energy savings performance contracts that support the Administration 

initiatives on climate resilience. Additionally, these funds are the only funding source for contracts, 

acquisitions, and agreements for the Chief’s Office, the Work Environment and Performance Office, the 

Business Operations Deputy Area, and the Chief Financial Officer’s Office to carry out administrative and 

general management support functions for the entire agency. These funds pay for agency-wide efforts 

supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion, an anti-harassment hotline, employee wellbeing, executive 

dashboards, data analytics, agency utility services, administrative fleet costs, surety bond law and regulation 

reviews, business requirements for robotics processing automation, and surge capacity contracts across business 

and financial operations. 

This increase will offset projected inflationary increases in several programs. Specifically, the Forest Service 

projects a higher than normal, 10 percent or $5 million, increase in administrative vehicle fleet costs and agency 

utility costs. Also, a large portion of these funds are used to fund must pay bills including Department Shared 

Cost Program costs. Additionally, $1.2 million will be used to support vehicle electrification goals mandated by 

Executive Order 14057 by accelerating procurement of Zero Emission Vehicles for light duty vehicle 

replacement for general and administrative support functions. If this funding is not provided, the Forest Service 

would be negatively impacted by the need to reduce support for human resources, acquisitions, general & 

administrative support throughout the agency, and delay the agency’s transition to zero emission vehicles.

Salaries and Expenses

(4) An increase of $15,287,000 ($389,406,000 and 2,755 FTEs enacted in 2023). 

This increase will support the annualization of the 2023 4.6 percent Cost of Living pay increase and the 2024 5.2 

percent Cost of Living pay increase. This level of funding will provide limited support for Forest Service 

Operations employees and may not be sufficient to cover cost of living adjustment or FERS increases. Without 

this increase, Forest Service Operations would be unable to fully fund all projected FTE’s without potentially 

reducing services that could negatively impact agency operations and priorities, including in wildland fire risk 

management, climate resilience, and environmental justice.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-31 

Forest Service Operations Salaries and Expenses activities provide the agency’s administrative backbone 

supporting the Administration, USDA, and Forest Service strategic goals and priorities. Specifically, these 

programs provide services and support diversity, equity, and inclusion, the human resources lifecycle including 

recruitment, hiring, development, retention, and separation; acquisitions including leases, contracts, grants, and 

agreements, information technology, financial and accounting services. Additionally, the Forest Service 

Operations Salaries and Expenses program funds national efforts for all agency employees including 

background investigations, fingerprinting, national training efforts and leadership development programs for 

new employees, supervisors, line officers, and senior executives, and unemployment compensation payments. 

In 2022 Forest Service Operations Salaries and Expenses programs expanded agency-wide Diversity, Equity, 

and Inclusion (DEI) and employee well-being programs including dedicated wildland firefighter support. 

Additionally, the agency completed three waves of national hiring events resulting in over 1,500 selections.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-32 

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS

Table FS-14. Classification by Objects (thousands of dollars)

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Personnel Compensation:

Washington D.C.......................................... $21,774 $25,291 $26,266 $25,162

Personnel compensation, field..................... 193,812 216,135 224,464 215,034

11.0 Total personnel compensation........................ 215,586 241,426 250,730 240,196

12.0 Personal benefits ......................................... 79,573 90,033 93,502 89,574

13.0 Benefits for former personnel...................... 38,869 38,175 39,646 37,981

Total, personnel compensation and benefits

............................................................... 334,028 369,634 383,878 367,751

Other Objects:

21.0 Travel and transportation of persons........... 381 1,984 1,383 1,588

22.0 Transportation of things.............................. 1,528 1,781 1,935 2,222

23.1 Rental payments to GSA............................. 32,738 38,780 41,930 47,960

23.2 Rental payments to others........................... 59,123 62,060 70,850 81,115

23.3 Communications, utilities, and misc. charges

.................................................................. 83,840 99,252 107,122 122,967

24.0 Printing and reproduction............................ 218 394 358 411

25.1 Advisory and assistance services ................ 2,414 5,971 4,902 5,631

25.2 Other services from non-Federal sources.... 86,042 121,379 121,270 139,307

25.3 Other goods and services from Federal sources

.................................................................. 344,029 444,887 461,351 530,002

25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities...... 2,577 2,923 3,123 3,694

25.5 Research and development contracts........... 1,470 2,081 2,076 2,385

25.6 Medical care................................................ 21 27 28 32

25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment... 4,385 3,737 4,749 5,455

26.0 Supplies and materials................................. 17,367 20,913 22,381 25,902

31.0 Equipment ................................................... 42,244 46,729 52,019 59,756

32.0 Land and structures..................................... 2,634 7,896 5,948 7,072

41.0 Grants, subsidies, and contributions............ 6,295 6,896 7,712 8,859

42.0 Insurance claims and indemnities................ 121 677 467 536

43.0 Interest and dividends.................................. 2 4 4 4

44.0 Refunds ....................................................... - -21 -12 -14

91.0 Unvouchered ............................................... - -1 -1 -1

92.0 Undistributed............................................... 19 26 26 30

Total, other objects................................... 687,448 868,375 909,621 1,044,913

99.9 Total, new obligations........................... 1,021,476 1,238,031 1,293,512 1,412,679

DHS Building Security Payments (included in 

25.3) ............................................................ 4,819 5,458 5,831 6,297

Information Technology Investments:

Interagency Resource Ordering Capability 

(IROC):

25.2 Outside Services (Consulting)..................... $2,673 $3,006 $4,200 $4,347 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-33 

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Total, Interagency Resource Ordering 

Capability (IROC) ................................ 2,673 3,006 4,200 4,347

Mission Support Services:

External Labor (Contractors)....................... 2,055 6,275 5,751 5,952

25.2 Outside Services (Consulting)..................... 36,468 15,554 17,532 18,145

Hardware..................................................... 0 265 1,095 1,133

Software ...................................................... 9,988 2,475 5,439 5,629

Total, Mission Support Services............... 48,511 24,569 29,817 30,859

Natural Resource Manager (NRM):

11 Internal Labor.............................................. 6,485 5,654 4,851 5,021

External Labor (Contractors)....................... 20,285 18,872 18,108 18,211

25.2 Outside Services (Consulting)..................... 2,160 - - -

Software ...................................................... - 507 1,007 1,042

Other IT....................................................... - 5 - -

Total, Natural Resource Manager (NRM) 28,930 25,038 23,966 24,274

Open Forest (Forest Service Enterprise ePermit):

External Labor (Contractors)....................... 3,200 - - -

25.2 Outside Services (Consulting)..................... 700 - - -

Total, Open Forest (Forest Service Enterprise 

ePermit) ................................................. 3,900 - - -

Recreation.gov:

External Labor (Contractors)....................... 15,074 - - -

25.2 Outside Services (Consulting)..................... 17,569 18,200 18,837

Total, Recreation.gov ............................... 15,074 17,569 18,200 18,837

Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS):

External Labor (Contractors)....................... 1,500 - - -

Total, Resource Ordering and Status System 

(ROSS) .................................................. 1,500 - - -

USDA Public Safety Land Mobile Radio System:

11 Internal Labor.............................................. 20,945 21,277 22,352 23,134

External Labor (Contractors)....................... 2,043 1,450 1,671 1,730

25.2 Outside Services (Consulting)..................... 2,032 225 - -

Hardware..................................................... 17,558 36,613 36,051 37,313

Software ...................................................... - 20 22 23

Other IT....................................................... - 1,359 5,940 6,147

Total, USDA Public Safety Land Mobile 

Radio System......................................... 42,578 60,944 66,036 68,347

Wildland Fire and Aviation Management:

External Labor (Contractors)....................... 718 - 20,768 21,496

25.2 Outside Services (Consulting)..................... 31,128 25,949 29,847 9,157

Hardware..................................................... 1,611 139 143 148

Software ...................................................... 5,403 1,879 1,753 1,814

Other IT....................................................... 50 - - -

Total, Wildland Fire and Aviation 

Management .......................................... 38,910 27,967 52,511 32,615
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Mission Area Non-Major Investment Totals.. 25,269 17,007 32,461 32,044

Mission Area Standard Investment Totals..... 165,317 147,841 175,612 181,084

25.3 Mission Area WCF Transfers...................... 158,421 240,176 293,743 304,023

Total Non-Major Investment ......................... 349,007 405,024 501,816 517,151

Total IT Investments...................................... 531,083 564,117 696,546 696,430

Position Data:

Average Salary (dollars), ES Position......... $192,131 $194,607 $203,559 $214,144 

Average Salary (dollars), GS Position......... 82,803 85,953 89,907 94,582

Average Grade, GS Position ....................... 10.7 10.9 10.9 10.9
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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STATUS OF PROGRAMS

Facilities Maintenance and Leases

Current Activities

Facilities Maintenance and Leases provides funding for costs associated with facility maintenance and repair for 

more than 16,000 fire10, administrative, and other (FA&O) facilities owned by the agency. Facility maintenance 

includes preventative, annual, and deferred maintenance activities required to preserve fixed assets. Facility 

maintenance also includes decommissioning.11 Security equipment and installation, when associated with a fixed 

asset, is also funded through this program. Facility maintenance does not include activities meant to expand the 

capacity of fixed assets or upgrading facilities to provide for a need different from which a facility was originally 

intended.

This program also provides funding for costs associated with long-term facility leases on more than 650 Forest 

Service and General Services Administration leases, including co-locations with other USDA agencies and the 

Department of the Interior, security costs paid through Federal Protection Services, leases paid to partners through 

agreements, and the Washington Office Headquarters lease and security costs paid through USDA (also referred to 

as Greenbook charges). Short-term, emergency, or fire-related incident leases continue to be funded through 

supplemental funds and Wildland Fire Management Suppression, respectively.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

National Facility and Lease Strategy: The Forest Service continues to implement the National Facility and Lease 

Strategy (NFLS) to right-size the Agency’s facility portfolio between leased and owned FA&O facilities. The 

strategy emphasizes facility investment prioritization, supports the Office of Management and Budget’s Reduce the 

Footprint Initiative, supports the USDA’s co-location and consolidation efforts, and identifies a five-year program of 

work for owned and leased facilities, improving consistency and transparency in facilities asset management. As 

part of the strategy’s allocation methodology, the Forest Service will implement projects that yield a large return on 

investment and an economically sustainable leased to owned facility portfolio. The Forest Service has several large 

leases with expiration dates approaching that will be examined to determine the best business decision for the Forest 

Service as it continues to face the dual challenges of maintaining owned assets under current funding levels and of 

redefining facility requirements due to expanded telework. As part of the National Strategy, the agency is projected 

to realize space reductions in owned and leased footprint of 51,614 square feet in 2023. Additionally, investments in 

owned facility maintenance on non-recreational facilities, including decommissioning, are estimated at $4.8 million 

in 2023 and $4.9 million in 2024.

Safety Inspections of Communications Assets: Collaboration continues with the Federal Aviation Administration 

(FAA) on the five-year interagency agreement to perform structural safety inspections for all communication assets 

on National Forest System lands. This agreement helps improve compliance with Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration and American National Standards Institute requirements for periodic safety inspections. The agency 

owns and administers more than 1,700 communications assets used to facilitate law enforcement, wildland fire 

suppression, public safety, and routine forest management. In 2022, approximately 18 percent (308 out of 1,738) of 

the towers on National Forest System lands were inspected by the FAA. As of 2022, this five-year interagency 

agreement is in its fourth year and has completed approximately 72% (1,255 out of 1,739) of the tower inspections.

Information Technology and Centralized Processing

Current Activities

Information Technology (IT) and Centralized Processing provides funding for costs associated with information 

technology, including cybersecurity requirements and telecommunications.12 All program management and 

spending are managed by the USFS Chief Information Officer (CIO) office. Any information technology costs 

resulting from fire-related incidents are funded by Wildland Fire Management Suppression.

The current IT investment strategy is driven by the Secretary’s direction to mitigate wildland fire and improve the 

conditions of national forests and grasslands by using innovative technology modernization. The CIO office 

10 Fire facilities include airports, heliports, hangars, airtanker bases, fire management centers, and fire lookouts. 11 Decommissioning is the demolition, dismantling, removal, disposal, and cleanup of a deteriorated or otherwise unneeded fixed 

asset or component. 12 Information technology is defined in the Office of Management and Budget’s memorandum “Management and Oversight of 

Federal Information Technology (M-15-14). The memorandum is located at https://management.cio.gov/implementation/.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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manages seventeen Enterprise Standard, Major, and Non-Major IT investments with CIO product owners and 

subject matter experts, developing lifecycle management and acquisitions plans to support technology 

modernization and standardization across the IT portfolio. Efforts focus on improving cyber security and enterprise 

network infrastructure and sustaining mission area business applications while planning for modernization and 

migration to approved hosting environments. 

Base funding primarily supports Operations and Maintenance, USDA Shared Costs (also referred to as Greenbook 

charges), and USDA Working Capital Fund costs. The Forest Service incorporates service consolidation into 

acquisition planning across the portfolio, coordinating with the Department to transition IT customer support 

functions to enterprise services managed by OCIO as part of Customer Experience Center consolidation in support 

of E.O. 14058, Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government

and the President’s Management Agenda priority to deliver excellent, equitable, and secure Federal services for 

improvement of customer experience measurement and modernization. This Budget includes multiple customer 

experience investments for Forest Service including improving public-facing websites to include enhancing the 

recreation.gov platform for providing customers with digital maps of Federal lands, increasing productivity around 

special use permits and digitization of both rights-of-way and easements. USDA is also a part of cross-agency

efforts for life experience projects centered on disaster recovery efforts and analysis. USDA has initiated 

technology cost reassessments with the agencies to right-size cost, baseline service level agreements, and realign 

cost with the Department.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress 

Public-Facing Websites: 

In 2022, the Agency met many milestones and delivered key website products to customers and the Agency. Forest 

Service modernized nearly 60% of Agency public-facing websites to comply with the 21st Century Integrated 

Digital Experience Act (IDEA) by applying the USDA Digital Strategy Playbook guiding principles. These websites 

now have a consistent and modern look-and feel, improved Search Engine Optimization (SEO) functionality, and 

are mobile device friendly. Examples of these websites are the roll-out of the National Research & Development 

(www.fs.usda.gov/research) website and the redesign of 135 National Forest System websites (example: 

www.fs.usda.gov/r3 and www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab). Additionally, the Forest Service addressed a nearly decade long 

issue to decommission the fs.fed.us domain for over 150 public-facing Agency websites and thousands of e-mail 

addresses. This now brings the Forest Service in alignment with compliance with the 2020 DotGov Act for Agency 

public-facing websites to have a .gov domain (example www.fs.usda.gov).

Organizational Services

Current Activities

Organizational Services provides funding for utility expenses, business services, and other administrative support 

functions necessary for the operation of multi-functional facilities and personnel.13 Common expenses include, but 

are not limited to, utilities, janitorial services, security for government-owned facilities, furniture, office move 

contracts, basic office materials, and supplies that support administrative and management employees.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress 

Workforce Planning: In 2021 and 2022, the Forest Service conducted workforce planning and updated its Human 

Capital Plan for 2021- 2025, the five-year road map outlining strategies to guide recruitment and hiring and 

confirming workforce planning alignment to agency budgets. The agency is also proactively incorporating 

workforce planning on an annual basis by conducting workforce planning annual cycles that run January – March to 

coincide with the Forest Service’s strategic planning and budget cycle. By guiding annual workforce planning to 

forecast position needs above its historical baseline, the Agency can identify funding priorities for critical agency 

positions.

Procurement and Property Services: In 2022, the Procurement and Property Services (PPS) office accumulatively 

awarded 35,000 actions valued at $2.5 billion, up 27 percent and 61 percent, respectively, from 2021. These 

numbers represent requests from PPS mission partners and include $200 million for the Great American Outdoors 

Act, $78 million for disaster relief efforts, over $25 million for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58), and

$968 million in fire suppression support. Highlights include a pilot contract for Outreach Admissions / Career 

13 Multi-functional buildings are fixed assets, such as District and Supervisor’s offices that support multiple programs or 

administrative programs; single-functional buildings, such as research stations and fire facilities, are funded through those 

program’s funds, for example research stations are funded by Research and Development.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-37 

Transition Services (OA/CTS) covering five Job Corps Centers, admission and career transition services, award of 

an eMedical contract to provide medical exam services for wildland firefighters nationwide, and a transition to the 

new Multiple Award Task Order contract (MATOC) process for multiple major aviation projects with Type I, II, 

and III helicopter request for proposals. In particular, the utilization of MATOCs will give the program, contracting, 

and the vendors greater flexibility to complete tasks efficiently and allows new vendors to be added in later years if 

they miss the initial solicitation. 

PPS awarded multiple contracts supporting the 2022 fire season including blanket purchase agreements for 

equipment and services, crews, retardant, showers, and transportation of cache assets to the front line. A National 

Energy Savings Performance Contract,14 funded by a grant from the Department of Energy, will reduce the Forest 

Service emissions footprint. Multiple mine reclamation contracts provided environmental support efforts nationwide 

and efforts to return lands to native species.

14 Energy savings performance contract, using funds from the Department of Energy to provide grants, allow Federal agencies to 

procure energy savings and facility improvements with no advanced capital costs or special appropriations from Congress.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT

Table FS-15. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars)

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $307,273,000

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... +41,809,000

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 349,082,000

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

The appropriations language follows (new language underscored; deleted matter enclosed in brackets):

1 Forest and Rangeland Research

2 For necessary expenses of forest and rangeland research as authorized by law, [$307,273,000]$349,082,000, to 

3 remain available through September 30, [2026] 2027: Provided, That of the funds provided, 

4 [$32,197,000]$30,197,000 is for the forest inventory and analysis program: Provided further, That of the funds 

5 provided, $4,000,000 is for the Joint Fire Science Program: Provided further, That all authorities for the use of 

6 funds, including the use of contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, available to execute the Forest and 

7 Rangeland Research appropriation, are also available in the utilization of these funds for Fire Science Research.

8 [Forest and Rangeland Research]

9 [For an additional amount for "Forest and Rangeland Research", $2,000,000, to remain available until expended, for 

10 necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and 

11 other natural disasters. ] 

Change Description

The first change (lines 4 and 5 of paragraph 1) adds language for funding provided to the Joint Fire Science 

Program. 

The second change (lines 8 through 11, paragraph 2) deletes language associated with the Disaster Relief 

Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-39 

PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-16. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE Inc. or Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Discretionary Appropriations:

Forest Inventory and Analysis.............. $17,576 21 $22,197 - $32,197 - $30,197 - -$2,000 - (1)

Research and Development Programs.. 41,347 47 54,000 - 59,500 - 80,000 - +20,500 - (2)

Salaries and Expenses.......................... 199,424 1,374 220,419 1,467 215,576 1,492 238,885 1,611 +23,309 +119 (3)

Subtotal, Discretionary 

Appropriations................................ 258,347 1,442 296,616 1,467 307,273 1,492 349,082 1,611 +41,809 +119

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-

58)a:

Forest Inventory and Analysis (BIL).... - - 6,600 - - - - - - - 

Joint Fire Science (BIL)....................... - - 2,000 - 2,000 - 2,000 - - - 

Research and Development Programs 

(BIL).................................................. - - 33,057 - 30,750 - 30,750 - - - 

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ................ - - 24,843 - 7,700 20 7,700 40 - +20 

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law................................................. - - 66,500 - 40,450 20 40,450 40 - +20

Supplemental Appropriations:

Coronavirus Relief Appropriations (P.L. 

116-136)b........................................... - 4 - - - - - - - -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 

117-43)c ............................................. - - 25,000 3 - 25 - 15 - -10

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 

117-328)d........................................... - - - - 2,000 - - - -2,000 -

Subtotal, Supplemental 

Appropriations................................ - 4 25,000 3 2,000 25 - 15 -2,000 -10

Total, Adjusted Appropriations............... 258,347 1,446 388,116 1,470 349,723 1,537 389,532 1,666 +39,809 +129

Add back:

Transfers In and Out............................. 413 - -63,710 - -38,450 - -38,450 - - -

Total, Appropriationse .......................... 258,760 1,446 324,406 1,470 311,273 1,537 351,082 1,666 +39,809 +129

Transfers In:

National Forest System ........................ - - 54,980 - 29,450 - 29,450 - - -

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry........ - - 4,020 - 3,500 - 3,500 - - -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE Inc. or Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Wildland Fire Management.................. - - 7,000 - 5,500 - 5,500 - - -

Total, Transfers In................................... - - 66,000 - 38,450 - 38,450 - - -

Transfers Out:

Forest Service Operations.................... -413 - -2,290 - - - - - - -

Total, Transfers Out ............................. -413 - -2,290 - - - - - - -

Recoveries, Other ................................ 3,731 - 2,547 - 1,158 - 1,046 - -112 -

Balance Available, SOY ...................... 14,206 - 10,388 - 97,499 - 51,380 - -46,119 -

Total Available ...................................... 276,284 1,446 401,051 1,470 448,380 1,537 441,958 1,666 -6,422 +129

Bal. Available, EOY ............................ -10,388 - -97,499 - -51,380 - -51,526 - -146 -

Total Obligations................................... 265,896 1,446 298,032 1,470 397,000 1,537 390,432 1,666 -6,568 +129

a The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) are advance appropriations and provides $2,000,000 each year from 2022 through 2026 not including transfers.

b P.L. 116-136 provided $3 million to prepare, prevent, and respond to coronavirus. Budget authority expired effective October 1, 2021.

c P.L. 117-43 provided $25 million to the Forest and Inventory Analysis program for necessary expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred 

between calendar years 2019 through 2021.

d P.L. 117-328 provided $2 million for necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. e The discrepancy between the project statement and Max schedule X is reimbursable funds.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Table FS-17. Obligations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE Inc. or Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Discretionary Obligations:

Forest Inventory and Analysis..................... $19,127 21 $22,323 - $32,097 - $30,371 - -$1,726 -

Research and Development Programs......... 49,058 47 61,228 - 63,852 - 79,523 - +15,671 -

Fire Plan Research and Development ......... 9 - 2 - 2 - 2 - - -

Forest Products............................................ 1,049 - 8 - - - - - - -

Forest and Rangeland Research – Other ..... 193,647 - 201,793 - 9 - 10 - +1 -

Salaries and Expenses................................. - 1,374 - 1,467 217,119 1,492 238,020 1,611 +20,901 +119

Subtotal, Discretionary Obligations ......... 262,890 1,442 285,354 1,467 313,079 1,492 347,926 1,611 +34,847 +119

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)a:

Forest Inventory and Analysis (BIL)........... - - - - 6,468 - 129 - -6,339 -

Joint Fire Science (BIL).............................. - - 2,000 - 2,000 - 2,000 - - -

Research and Devel. Programs (BIL).......... - - 3,232 - 53,912 - 33,298 - -20,614 -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ....................... - - 51 - 2,878 20 6,055 40 +3,177 +20

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.... - - 5,283 - 65,258 20 41,482 40 -23,776 +20

Supplemental Obligations:

Disaster Relief Approp. (P.L. 116-20) ........ 125 - - - 57 - - - -57 -

Coronavirus Relief Apprp. (P.L. 116-136)b 2,881 4 19 - 6 - - - -6 -

Disaster Relief Approp. (P.L. 117-43)c ....... - - 7,376 3 17,600 25 24 15 -17,576 -10

Disaster Relief Approp. (P.L. 117-328)d ..... - - - - 1,000 - 1,000 - - -

Subtotal, Supplemental Obligations......... 3,006 4 7,395 3 18,663 25 1,024 15 -17,639 -10

Total Obligations.......................................... 265,896 1,446 298,032 1,470 397,000 1,537 390,432 1,666 -6,568 +129

Balances Available, EOY:

Forest Inventory and Analysis..................... 719 - 373 - 804 - 761 - -43 -

Joint Fire Science ........................................ 21 - -

Research and Development Programs......... 3,243 - 6,567 - 6,748 - 8,963 - +2,215 -

Fire Plan Research and Development ......... 144 - 71 - 190 - 203 - +13 -

Forest Products............................................ 1 - - - 1 - 1 - - -

Forest and Rangeland Research – Other ..... 447 - 645 - 827 - 930 - +103 -

Salaries and Expenses................................. 5,777 - 10,982 - 9,492 - 10,406 - +914 -

Forest Inventory and Analysis (BIL)........... - - 6,600 - 132 - 3 - -129 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE Inc. or Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Joint Fire Science (BIL).............................. - - - - - - - - - -

Research and Devel. Programs (BIL)......... - - 29,825 - 6,663 - 4,115 - -2,548 -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ....................... - - 24,792 - 11,499 - 14,320 - +2,821 -

Disaster Relief Approp. (P.L. 115-123) ...... - - - - - -

Disaster Relief Approp. (P.L. 116-20)e ....... 57 - - - - - - - - -

Coronavirus Relief Approp. (P.L. 116-136)b

.................................................................. - - - - - - - - - -

Disaster Relief Approp. (P.L. 117-43)c ....... - - 17,623 - 14,024 - 11,824 - -2,200 -

Disaster Relief Approp. (P.L. 117-328)d ..... - - - - 1,000 - - - -1,000 -

Total, Balances Available, EOY .................... 10,388 - 97,499 - 51,380 - 51,526 - +146 -

Total Available ............................................. 276,284 1,446 395,531 1,470 448,380 1,537 441,958 1,666 -6,422 +129

Less:

Total Transfers In........................................ - - -66,000 - -38,450 - -38,450 - - -

Total Transfers Out ..................................... 413 - 2,290 - - - - - - -

Recoveries, Other ....................................... -3,731 - -2,547 - -1,158 - -1,046 - +112 -

Balance Available, SOY ............................. -14,206 - -10,388 - -97,499 - -51,380 - +46,119 -

Total Appropriation ................................. 258,760 1,446 318,886 1,470 311,273 1,537 351,082 1,666 +39,809 +129

a The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) are advance appropriations and provides $2,000,000 each year from 2022 through 2026 not including transfers.

b P.L. 116-136 provided $3 million to prepare, prevent, and respond to coronavirus. Budget authority expired effective October 1, 2021.

c P.L. 117-43 provided $25 million to the Forest and Inventory Analysis program for necessary expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred 

between calendar years 2019 through 2021.

d P.L. 117-328 provided $2 million for necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. 

e P.L. 116-20 provided $1,000,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, and the calendar year 2018 wildfires. All remaining 

funds were obligated in 2021.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES

The numbers and letters of the following listing relates to values in the Change (Chg) Key column of the Project 

Statement.

Forest Inventory and Analysis 

(1) A decrease of $2,000,000 ($32,197,000 enacted in 2023). 

This funding level will allow the Forest Inventory and Analysis program (FIA) to maintain current plot 

remeasurement cycle lengths and sustain FIA program delivery. Where possible, the program will seek to 

increase remeasurement frequency for targeted locations and forest types. FIA will also be able to make 

investments in soil carbon sampling, harmonizing new soil carbon data with existing soil survey data from 

National Forests. The use of remote sensing technologies (as directed in report language contained in Sec. 8632 

of the 2018 Farm Bill) will continue to be part of FIA’s forward-looking work. 

As the Nation’s foremost continuous forest census covering all 50 States, FIA is critical to supporting the 

Administration’s priorities of climate risk reduction and facilitation of public access to climate-related 

information to support Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments in climate planning and resilience 

activities. FIA data, tools, syntheses, and geospatial analyses are essential to understanding and informing 

climate-smart practices with respect to carbon management. This funding level will enable FIA to contribute to 

the development of a forest carbon action plan for the agency. FIA will also continue to produce and update 

data and tools to inform infrastructure investments by the forest products industry and State forest management 

plans. A portion of the FIA budget will fund partnership agreements and contracts with States to survey FIA 

plots and assist with data analysis.

Research and Development Programs

(2) An increase of $20,500,000 ($59,500,000 enacted in 2023). 

The Forest Service will invest $12 million towards climate science research, to include increased funding in 

support of the US Global Change Research Program. This increase will also fund scientific research to address 

Administration priorities, including deepening understanding of the effects of climate change on forest

resources, increasing adaptation and resilience to climate change, and pursuing nature-based solutions for 

climate risk reduction. In support of the OMB Circular A-11 Section 290 call on Federal agencies to use 

evidence for decision-making, this research will be used inform ecosystem restoration and management

decisions to enhance carbon sequestration and storage. This increase will allow the Forest Service to make 

additional investments in the science of wildfire risk management; including fire prediction, planning, decision 

support, strategic reduction of hazardous fuels, impact assessment, and recovery; and in watershed research to 

sustain and improve watershed resiliency, risk assessment, and restoration in consideration of increasingly 

frequent and extreme hydrological events, from droughts to floods, that impair essential ecosystem services.

Relative to 2023, Forest and Rangeland Research will expand the scope and scale of research and science 

delivery programs related to reforestation, carbon sequestration, and carbon accounting, which are essential to 

climate adaptation, mitigation, and risk reduction. Expanding the scope and scale of this research allows the 

Forest Service to meet the ask of the Evidence Act to make decisions based on the best available evidence. For 

example, this funding will accelerate the agency’s development and testing of science-based conservation 

investment planning tools. These tools can then be used to inform the targeted selection of sites for hazardous 

fuels treatments to optimize risk reductions to communities and structures from uncharacteristically severe 

wildfire associated with climate change. This increase will aid in research and development of innovative wood 

uses, generating new products and supporting new and emerging markets. This increase will also make possible 

renewed investments in foundational research disciplines, including forest soils, air quality, hydrology, 

silviculture, genetics, and forest ecology, needed to discover and design innovative adaptation strategies to 

promote the resilience of forest and rangeland ecosystems to climate change. 

This increase will support the collaborative work of agency scientists with partners in the scientific community 

and with Forest Service land managers to co-produce findings that are relevant and applicable to present-day 

and emerging land management challenges. For example, Forest and Rangeland Research funding will provide 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-44 

continuing support of the five USDA Climate Hubs sponsored by the Forest Service: Northeast, Southeast, 

Northwest, Caribbean, and Northern Forests Hubs. Climate Hubs provide region-specific research and science 

information synthesis, tool development, implementation assistance, and outreach to support robust agricultural 

production and natural resources under increasing conditions of climate variability and change. Sustained 

funding for these five Climate Hubs will foster scientific discoveries and technology transfer to provide 

scientifically sound climate adaptation resources to land management agencies, private landowners, Tribes, and 

agricultural producers, including foresters. 

The 2024 target number of peer-reviewed scholarly publications Forest Service research scientists will produce 

is 1,100. This target has been tracked internally previously and will be elevated to a key performance indicator 

for the agency beginning in 2024. The Forest Service will continue to look for opportunities to align research to 

support of deliverables and activities outlined in the Presidential Memo on Scientific Integrity and EvidenceBased Policymaking, Evidence Act, OMB M-21-27, and OMB Circular A-11 Section 290. 

Projects funded through the interagency Joint Fire Science Program provide critical science and technology to 

address the challenges of wildland fire. These projects also improve understanding of the effects of climate and 

climate change on wildland fire and enhance the ability of land management agencies to assess and manage fire 

risk effectively. 

The proposed 2024 level of funding is $4 million and enables activities consistent with the 2022 funded level. 

Salaries and Expenses

(3) An increase of $23,309,000 and an increase of 99 FTE’s ($215,576,000 and 1,442 FTEs enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

An increase of $10,456,000 and 0 FTEs for pay and employee costs. This increase will support the 

annualization of the 2023 4.6 percent Cost of Living pay increase and the 2024 5.2 percent Cost of Living pay 

increase. If this funding is not provided, Forest and Rangeland Research may need to reduce the number of FTEs 

to accommodate increases in pay and employee costs.

An increase of $12,853,000 and an increase of 99 FTEs for pay and employee costs. This increase would enable 

the Forest Service to grow the workforce of scientists needed to support sustainable management of the 

Nation’s Forest and grasslands; inform management decisions related to wildfire risk reduction, flooding, and 

drought; advance understanding of climate change and the development of mitigation and adaptation solutions; 

and provide comprehensive information about the status of forested lands. This increase would build capacity

for science delivery (i.e., FTEs, travel, and training), improve agency engagement with Tribal partnerships, and 

support recruitment of a diverse group of scientists into careers with the Forest Service. 

In 2022, Forest Service research scientists provided tools, resources, and expertise across the spectrum of forest 

conservation and management, including in the areas of urban forestry, hazardous fuels reduction strategies, 

wildfire smoke composition and distribution, water quality, forest inventory and analysis, carbon stock and flux 

assessments, nature-based solutions for landscape resilience and climate risk reduction, and innovative wood 

products. This expertise and the formation of interdisciplinary teams of scientists working closely with partners 

in land management and the forest products industry resulted in new patents for lignin byproducts, publications 

on water quality and forest lands relationships, enhanced smoke composition and movement models, forest 

composition and health inventories, wildland fire planning and management decision support systems, and 

hazardous fuels risk analyses. These tools, products, services, and publications touch every demographic; 

impact every community; and support the entire suite of Forest Service strategic goals and priorities. An 

increase to the science workforce is imperative in continuing and expanding these efforts and products, in 

particular science delivery efforts and products, through 2024.
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CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS

Table FS-18. Classification by Objects (thousands of dollars) 

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Personnel Compensation:

Washington D.C. ................................................ $4,884 $5,231 $5,469 $5,670

Personnel compensation, field ............................ 134,647 136,789 143,024 148,270

11.0 Total personnel compensation ......................... 139,531 142,020 148,493 153,940

12.0 Personal benefits................................................. 52,891 55,457 57,985 60,111

Total, personnel compensation and benefits.... 192,422 197,477 206,478 214,051

Other Objects:

21.0 Travel and transportation of persons .................. 1,799 5,192 7,293 7,039

22.0 Transportation of things...................................... 1,028 1,158 2,648 2,158

23.1 Rental payments to GSA .................................... - 1 1 1

23.2 Rental payments to others................................... 201 10 229 212

23.3 Communications, utilities, and misc. charges..... 154 248 437 405

24.0 Printing and reproduction ................................... 70 68 150 139

25.1 Advisory and assistance services........................ 16 16 35 32

25.2 Other services from non-Federal sources ........... 8,683 8,480 18,757 16,870

25.3 Other goods and services from Federal sources. 14,365 20,834 38,745 35,618

25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities ............. 54 115 184 170

25.5 Research and development contracts.................. 27,556 34,711 67,789 62,749

25.6 Medical care ....................................................... 2 - 2 2

25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment .......... 299 291 806 798

26.0 Supplies and materials........................................ 3,270 3,248 7,089 7,169

31.0 Equipment........................................................... 2,201 3,285 6,138 6,403

32.0 Land and structures............................................. 2 695 758 702

41.0 Grants, subsidies, and contributions................... 13,608 21,927 39,159 35,634

42.0 Insurance claims and indemnities....................... 1 255 278 258

43.0 Interest and dividends......................................... 1 - 1 1

92.0 Undistributed ...................................................... - 21 23 21

Total, other objects .......................................... 73,310 100,555 190,522 176,381

99.9 Total, new obligations................................... 265,732 298,032 397,000 390,432

Position Data:

Average Salary (dollars), ES Position ................ $181,691 $183,027 $191,446 $201,401 

Average Salary (dollars), GS Position................ 89,256 91,378 95,581 100,552

Average Grade, GS Position............................... 10.8 10.8 10.8 10.8
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STATUS OF PROGRAMS

Forest and Rangeland Research

Current Activities

Forest Service Research and Development (R&D) works at the forefront of science to improve the health and use of 

our Nation's forests and grasslands. By producing and delivering innovative science and technology to support 

sustainable management of the Nation's diverse forests and rangelands, R&D enhances the rigor and impact of 

Forest Service programs and activities. Forest Service R&D programs encompass basic and applied research, 

inventory and assessment of forest resources, and science delivery and decision support. R&D conducts this work at 

five geographically based research stations, the Forest Products Laboratory, the International Institute of Tropical 

Forestry, 81 Experimental Forests and Ranges, Urban Field Stations, and in our Washington D.C. headquarters. 

Forest Service R&D prioritizes investments that produce research and science applications to inform Forest Service 

land management responsibilities and to advance national priorities. These investments are focused on increasing 

research and science delivery to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the wildland fire management mission; 

improving understanding of the effects of climate change on ecosystems; informing climate adaptation and 

resilience through nature-based climate solutions such as forest carbon restoration and management; sustaining and 

improving watershed resilience, risk assessment, and restoration; conducting forest inventory and trend analysis; and 

advancing wood product innovations and wood product markets.

Wildfire

Forest Service R&D conducts extensive research and develops analysis and decision support tools to improve the 

agency’s understanding of how wildfire moves across the landscape and through communities, where and how to 

effectively reduce hazardous fuels through mechanical treatments and prescribed burning, and how to better predict 

the impacts of wildfire smoke. Forest Service fire scientists also study wildfire to understand its effects on 

ecosystems, including impacts to wildlife, soils, hydrology, and forest regeneration. Forest Service scientists are 

developing more realistic and accurate three-dimensional models of hazardous fuels, which will support building the 

next generation of fire spread and behavior models. These models will help land managers and communities, 

including those with socially vulnerable populations, and determine where to invest new Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law resources to reduce hazards and future fire risk. Forest Service scientists are also working to understand fireatmosphere interactions that can drive extreme fire spread and to improve smoke forecasting models to better predict 

air quality impacts. Forest Service scientists also participate in research partnerships with indigenous communities to 

foster the reintroduction of indigenous cultural burning practices and fire stewardship. 

Climate

Forest Service scientists project risks and study the effects of changing climate across the U.S. and investigate 

potential solutions for adapting to these changes, including improving carbon storage on forested and non-forested 

lands. Forest Service scientists also study the effects of climate change on forest health and are investigating 

strategies to promote ecosystem resilience to insect infestations and disease. Forest Service research shows that 

forest management and agroforestry offer excellent opportunities for simultaneous climate change adaptation and 

mitigation. Climate vulnerability assessments produced by the Forest Service-led USDA Climate Hubs provide 

specific adaptive management strategies to increase the resilience of working lands that communities depend on, 

including underserved and socially vulnerable populations. 

Forest Service R&D is the authoritative source of data, models, assessments, and trend information about forestland 

carbon stocks across all carbon pools, including increases and decreases in carbon storage over time. For instance, 

Forest Service scientists study soil carbon, including the effects of management actions and wildfire on the 

accumulation and loss of soil carbon, and the carbon storage effects of augmenting soil carbon with biochar. Forest 

Service R&D continually seeks to improve methods for carbon science and to refine carbon estimates. 

Watersheds

Forest Service scientists are investigating how hydrologic patterns and processes are shifting across the nation’s 

forests and grasslands in response to changing climate and increases in water use. Forest Service R&D is leading 

soil moisture monitoring and modeling efforts across forests to enhance the understanding and prediction of drought 

and its impacts. Developing better models and data collection methods will help guide terrestrial and aquatic 

conservation and restoration efforts, enabling land managers to better identify changes in flood risk and timing, 

frequency and duration of droughts, threat of wildfire and storm damage, and water temperature variability. Forest 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Service scientists study how management choices made before and in response to extreme events can mitigate 

impacts on watershed structure and function, water supply, and human and ecological communities. R&D has 

developed methods to improve aquatic species detection and monitoring, so restoration can be targeted to locations 

where it will have the greatest benefits in the long term. Forest Service scientists also study how resource 

management decisions affecting watershed structure and function intersect with environmental justice and equity. 

Wood Products

Forest Service scientists develop new, sustainable processes using wood and wood components to make products 

such as biopolymers and chemicals. Forest Service scientists provide leadership in the development of international 

standards that remove barriers to bringing laboratory discoveries to market. Currently, the agency is focused on 

utilization of biomass from hazardous fuels reduction and forest restoration projects. 

Equity and Environmental Justice

Recent Forest Service R&D contributions related to environmental justice include publications highlighting how 

people access, use, and/or benefit from forests and natural resources and the barriers that some communities may 

encounter. Forest Service scientists are also exploring environmental justice implications of forest and natural 

resource management efforts. Recent publications have responded to the needs of forest and recreation managers 

who seek to improve engagement with diverse populations and address challenges created by increased outdoor 

recreation demand and climate-related threats. Forest Service scientists are also studying how health partnerships 

may facilitate therapeutic outdoor experiences on national forests, building on the growing evidence of the multiple 

health benefits of activities and time spent in nature. 

Today more than 80 percent of people live in urban areas. Forest Service R&D’s urban forestry research programs 

provide knowledge and tools to care for the more than 140 million acres of urban forests where many people live. 

Urban forests offer significant human health benefits, carbon sequestration, and water quality improvement. Data, 

knowledge, and tools, such as R&D’s i-Tree guide decisions for managing these forests and trees for maximum 

benefit and help to quantify their value and document their return on investment.15 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Publication of scientific assessment of wildland fire smoke: A new book by Forest Service scientists and partners

synthesizes the latest knowledge about wildfires and prescribed fires with respect to smoke composition, movement, 

and impacts.16 It explores the social implications of wildland fire smoke and reports on new modeling tools to 

predict smoke movement and concentrations, which will help improve smoke forecasting systems. The book 

provides a foundation for improving how wildland fire smoke can be managed in the coming decades. 

Completion and application of the Accelerated Pace and Scale of Treatments (ACCEL) project: The ACCEL 

project, which was initiated in 2020 and completed in 2022, was conducted by Forest Service scientists at the Pacific 

Southwest Research Station in collaboration with the State of California. The ACCEL project developed a set of 

common metrics for measuring forest resilience when planning large landscape restoration projects. These metrics 

can be used by decision support software, such as Forest Service R&D’s ForSys Scenario Investment Planning 

Platform, to facilitate project planning and prioritization and to support increasing the pace and scale of restoration 

and hazardous fuel reduction. The California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force identified the ACCEL 

metrics as key to achieving its goals in the Sierra Nevada and recommended it as a model for the rest of the State. 

The Task Force also provided ACCEL data as part of regional resource kits to stakeholders across the Sierra Nevada 

region.

Quantification of the role of forests in drinking water supply: Forest Service scientists completed a first-of-its-kind 

assessment of the role of forested lands in supplying drinking water to the nation, finding that public drinking water 

systems rely extensively on national forests and grasslands.17 This research showed that in the West, national forests 

and grasslands supply drinking water to almost 90% of the people served by public water systems. Some western 

15 https://www.itreetools.org/ - i-Tree is a state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed software suite from the USDA Forest Service that 

provides urban and rural forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools. 16 Peterson, David L.; McCaffrey, Sarah M.; Patel-Weynand, Toral, eds. 2022. Wildland Fire Smoke in the United States: A 

Scientific Assessment. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland AG. 341 p. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87045-4. 17 Liu, Ning; Dobbs, G. Rebecca; Caldwell, Peter V.; Miniat, Chelcy F.; Sun, Ge; Duan, Kai; Nelson, Stacy A.C.; Bolstad, Paul 

V.; Carlson, Christopher P. 2022. Quantifying the role of National Forest System and other forested lands in providing surface 

drinking water supply for the conterminous United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-100. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington Office. 40 p. plus supplement. https://doi.org/10.2737/WO-GTR-100.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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cities, like Aspen, Colorado, and Portland, Oregon, are more than 90% dependent on national forests alone for their 

drinking water. The study also found that in the East, drinking water is also provided by forested lands, though these 

are mostly privately owned forests. Within the lower 48 states, over 99% of people who rely on public drinking 

water systems receive some of their drinking water from forested lands.

Innovative carbon and graphene products from lignin: In a joint project with Mississippi State University and an 

industrial partner, Forest Service scientists at the Forest Products Laboratory invented a process to produce graphene

from lignin, a component of wood.18 Lignin is the second most abundant natural polymer in wood and can be 

produced either as a by-product of pulping or by biorefineries. The invention lowers the cost of graphene production 

and the patent from this invention has been licensed by a pulp and paper company. Forest Service scientists also 

patented a technology to produce carbon foam from lignin. The carbon foam is a stiff and porous material that is 

strong but lightweight, nonflammable, capable of absorbing sound and radiation, and able to maintain its 

performance at high temperatures. This technology has potential high-value application for light-weight airplane and 

automobile materials from a waste byproduct. 

Forest Inventory and Analysis

Current Activities

Forest Service R&D’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program is the Nation’s foremost continuous forest 

census covering all 50 states, and territories. As directed in legislation, using nationwide statistically robust surveys, 

the FIA program collects original data that can be used to document past and current extent of forest area, including 

increases or decreases in forest land; tree numbers by species; the size and health of trees; tree growth, mortality, 

harvests and removals; the effects of disturbances such as hurricanes and wildland fires; wood production and tree 

utilization; urban forests; and the characteristics of forest ownership. FIA analyzes survey data with the latest 

geospatial technologies, including remote sensing; produces annual and five-year data sets for each U.S. State; 

makes data available online; and offers analytical results through data summarization tools with standard and custom 

design and filtering (e.g., EVALIDator and DATIM), reporting tools that allow for creation and sharing of 

customized reports (e.g., My City’s Trees, FIA One-Click Report, and NRS-FIA 5-yr digital reports), and online 

interactive spatial tools for sharing analysis and visualizations (e.g., FIA Geospatial Showcase). These data are 

increasingly incorporated into forest carbon and greenhouse gas monitoring and modeling, used by landowners and 

non-profits to inform projects aiming to store additional carbon, and used by researchers and land managers to 

improve climate adaptation, biodiversity, and ecosystem benefits. FIA works extensively with state forestry 

agencies, universities, and other partners, leveraging one partner dollar for every six Federal dollars.

At the national level, FIA program data and products are fundamental to assessing forest carbon stocks and change 

over time. Using FIA data and enhanced peer-reviewed methodologies, the FIA program calculates authoritative 

estimates of carbon stocks and change on forest land, forest land conversions, trees outside of forests (such as urban 

forests and agroecosystems), and harvested wood products in the United States annually. These are submitted as a 

component of the United States National Inventory Report as required by the United States commitment to the 

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). FIA and the Forest Service Resources 

Planning Act (RPA) assessment program work together to also provide carbon stock assessments for the UNFCCC 

United States Biennial Report. Current research includes investigation of carbon monitoring system designs for 

forest carbon assessments in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Carbon 

Monitoring System, as well as estimating carbon benefits from forest management activities at the landscape level. 

FIA continues to inform forest management to reduce fire risk. Through partnerships and other national and regional 

efforts, FIA supports Federal, State, local, and private land managers with authoritative information to aid 

management decisions. Contributions include the development and maintenance of LANDFIRE,

19 a comprehensive 

set of geospatial data and resources that support cross-boundary fire planning, management, and operations; the 

development of TreeMap,

20 a tree-level model of US forests used to reduce risks to wildfire responders and to 

18Graphene is an extremely electrically conductive form of elemental carbon that is composed of a single flat sheet of 

carbon atoms arranged in a repeating hexagonal lattice. “Graphene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graphene. 19 https://landfire.gov – the LANDFIRE program provides more than 25 national geo-spatial layers (e.g. vegetation, fuel, 

disturbance, etc.), databases, and ecological models that are available to the public for the United States and insular areas. 20 Riley, Karin L.; Grenfell, Isaac C.; Finney, Mark A.; Wiener, Jason M. 2021. TreeMap, a tree-level model of conterminous US 

forests circa 2014 produced by imputation of FIA plot data. Scientific Data. 8: 11.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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inform scenario planning for hazardous fuels treatments;21 contributions to updating national risk maps with the 

Forest Service Forest Health Assessment and Applied Science Team; and the delivery and integration of forest 

inventory data with other tools such as the agency's Forest Vegetation Simulator.

The FIA program continues to partner with universities, industry, and other Forest Service entities to increase the 

precision of estimates using FIA inventories for smaller geographic areas and/or over shorter time intervals. Small 

area estimation (SAE) integrates multi-scaled remotely sensed data and other ancillary information with FIA 

inventory data to produce estimates using various techniques. Examples of FIA SAE applications include a national 

ownership map and county-level estimates using the National Woodland’s Owner Survey data and county-level 

carbon estimates using FIA traditional and urban inventory. The FIESTA (Forest Inventory ESTimation and 

Analysis) online tool allows users to access FIA databases, import spatial layers, and choose from a suite of SAE 

estimation techniques to produce county, eco-subsection, and watershed estimates. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Estimating old-growth forest areas on National Forest Systems lands: In 2022, FIA collaborated with the NFS 

deputy area of the Forest Service to develop estimates of areas of “Old Forests” on NFS lands, as defined by NFS 

Land Management Plans. FIA and NFS compiled region-specific NFS old growth definitions, and then experienced 

FIA analysts interpreted the definitions in application to FIA data to quantify national and regional estimates of old 

forest.

Enhancing consistency and completeness of the Timber Product Output Survey: The Timber Products Output (TPO) 

Survey, which collects information about the location, size, and types of mills within a state; the type, volume, 

species, and geographic origin of roundwood each mill receives; the amount and type of products each produces; 

and the wood residues generated during processing; is transitioning from four periodic regional systems for data 

collection to a new single national database and reporting system. The national reporting system improves 

consistency and is increasing TPO’s responsiveness to user needs. Enhanced products from the national reporting 

system include state-level, one-click fact sheets, an interactive reporting tool, and the ability to download TPO data.

Program Evaluations

The FIA program publishes an annual national business report.22 The report presents program results accomplished 

with the available financial resources, along with plans for the coming year based on budgeted financial resources. 

This extensive report includes costs and partner contributions; information about agreements; status of surveys 

including data, reports, and analyses; program updates; and tables of metrics and other information. The FIA 

business report informs leadership discussions within the program, across the Forest Service, and with partners as to 

opportunities for improvement and assessing progress toward implementing the FIA Strategic Plan. 

The FIA program also conducts extensive internal review processes throughout the year with FIA leadership, which 

includes field program managers, and the regional FIA leaders responsible for data collection, information 

management, reporting, and implementing strategic plan goals. 

The program works with professional societies and non-profits to co-sponsor an annual national users’ group 

meeting, during which users of FIA data and products provide feedback and recommendations. Partner 

organizations also host an annual special focus session on a large aspect of the FIA program to gather external 

feedback. In 2022, this session focused on forest carbon and the challenges in forest carbon estimation, identifying 

barriers to better forest carbon information, and providing tangible solutions for improving forest carbon estimates. 

Joint Fire Science

Current Activities

The Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) provides funding and science delivery for scientific studies associated with 

managing wildland fire, fuels, and fire-impacted ecosystems to respond to emerging needs of Forest Service 

managers, practitioners, and policymakers from local to national levels. Forest Service R&D partners with the 

Department of the Interior to deliver the JFSP. An inter-agency Governing Board makes decisions about JFSP 

funding awards based on an annual cycle of open, competitive, peer-reviewed proposal solicitations for current 

21 Riley, Karin L.; O Connor, Christopher D.; Dunn, Christopher J.; Haas, Jessica R.; Stratton, Richard D.; Gannon, Benjamin. 

2022. A national map of snag hazard to reduce risk to wildland fire responders. Forests. 13: 1160.

22 https://www.fia.fs.usda.gov/library/bus-org-documents/index.php – current and past Forest Inventory and Analysis Annual 

Business Reports
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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wildland fire research priorities in three categories – science delivery, primary research, and graduate research 

innovation.

Science delivery is accomplished primarily through the JFSP Fire Science Exchange Network (FSEN), which is a 

national collaboration of 15 regional fire science exchanges. The FSEN provides the most relevant, current wildland 

fire science information to Federal, state, local, tribal, and private stakeholders within ecologically similar regions. 

For primary research in 2022, JFSP focused on key scientific needs including the social and ecological recovery of 

communities and ecosystems impacted by wildfire and the collaborative development of ecosystem mapping 

products for fire and fuels management. For graduate research, Graduate Research Innovation (GRIN) projects 

supplement already approved thesis or doctoral work by adding a component that addresses the management or 

policy relevance of the research.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Science delivery within the Fire Science Exchange Network (FSEN): More than 20,000 individuals participated in 

FSEN-organized wildland fire science delivery activities. Activities included hosting virtual conferences and 

webinars, developing factsheets, short courses and videos, actively disseminating fire science information on social 

media and more. The exchanges delivered over 2,700 events and activities and developed over 8,700 posts on social 

media channels. The largest participant groups were Federal agencies, state governments, and the academic 

community.

Investments in priority fire and fuels research to support communities and decision making: In 2022, JFSP funded 

science to support the socioecological recovery of communities impacted by wildfire. This research will inform the 

development or improvement of strategies, tools, and resources used for post-fire community recovery so that such 

recovery efforts increase the resilience of social-ecological systems to future wildfires. In other funded research, 

researchers are using a collaborative framework to prototype mapping protocols and products that capture current 

ecosystem condition, desired future condition, and departure from desired condition at spatial and temporal 

resolutions relevant to fire and fuels management decisions. 

Program Evaluations

In 2022, JFSP initiated 42 projects (11 with signed agreements and 31 with pending agreements), funded 20 GRIN 

projects, completed 28 research projects, and supported 13 refereed publications. 

In 2023, JFSP will be conducting a comprehensive program review to take stock and provide agency and department 

leaders an opportunity to confirm or alter the strategic direction of the program. To date, the JFSP has completed 

four program reviews: 2002, 2009, 2013 and 2017. The 2023 program review will allow the Governing Board and 

Program Office to evaluate the effectiveness of program components and suggest refinements or new directions the 

program should pursue.
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STATE, Private, and Tribal Forestry

LEAD-OFF Tabular Statement

Table FS-19. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars) 

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $337,758,000

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... -10,089,000

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 327,669,000

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

The appropriations language follows (new language underscored; deleted matter enclosed in brackets):

1 State and Private Forestry

2 For necessary expenses of cooperating with and providing technical and financial assistance to States, territories, 

3 possessions, and others, and for forest health management, including for invasive plants, and conducting an 

4 international program and trade compliance activities as authorized, [$337,758,000]$327,669,000, to remain 

5 available through September 30, [2026]2027, as authorized by law[, of which $30,167,000 shall be for projects 

6 specified for Forest Resource Information and Analysis in the table titled "Interior and Environment Incorporation 

7 of Community Project Funding Items/Congressionally Directed Spending Items" included for this division in the 

8 explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act)]. 

9 [State and Private Forestry] 

10 [For an additional amount for "State and Private Forestry", $148,000,000, to remain available until expended, for 

11 necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and 

12 other natural disasters: Provided, That of the amounts made available under this heading in this Act, up to 

13 $20,000,000 is for grants to states to support economic recovery activities in communities damaged by wildfire: 

14 Provided further, That of the amounts made available under this heading in this Act, no less than $100,000,000 is 

15 for cooperative lands forest management activities.]

Change Description

The first change (lines 5 through 8 of paragraph 1) deletes language included in the 2023 budget for Community 

Project Funding. 

The second change (lines 9 through 15, paragraph 2) deletes language associated with the Disaster Relief 

Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023. 
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PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-20. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Discretionary Appropriations:

Landscape Scale Restoration............. $12,637 - $14,000 - $17,000 - $14,000 - -$3,000 - (1)

Federal Lands Forest Health 

Management................................... 12,126 11 16,000 - 17,000 - 20,000 - +3,000 - (2)

Cooperative Lands Forest Health 

Management................................... 29,545 6 32,000 - 33,000 - 35,000 - +2,000 - (3)

State Fire Capacity Grants (State Fire 

Assistance) ..................................... 73,235 - 75,000 - 76,000 - 76,000 - - - 

Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants 

(Volunteer Fire Assistance)............ 19,000 - 20,000 - 21,000 - 21,000 - - - 

Forest Legacy.................................... - 5 - - - - - - - - 

Forest Stewardship (Working Forest 

Lands)............................................. 10,519 2 12,000 - 12,500 - 14,000 - +1,500 - (4)

Community Forest and Open Space 

Conservation................................... 3,966 - 5,500 - 6,000 - 7,000 - +1,000 - (5)

Urban and Community Forestry........ 31,378 1 36,000 - 40,000 - 42,000 - +2,000 - (6)

Forest Resource Information and 

Analysis.......................................... - - 29,956 - 30,167 - - - -30,167 - (7)

International Programs and Trade 

Compliance .................................... 15,395 1 17,000 - 20,000 - 22,000 - +2,000 - (8)

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry –

Other............................................... - 37 - 49 - - - - - - 

Salaries and Expenses....................... 53,157 324 57,742 337 65,091 396 76,669 486 +11,578 +90 (9)

Subtotal, Discretionary 

Appropriations............................. 260,958 387 315,198 386 337,758 396 327,669 486 -10,089 +90

Mandatory Appropriations:

Forest Legacy (Great American 

Outdoors Act)d................................ 94,255 7 83,813 18 77,940 33 94,255 37 +16,315 +4 (10)

Subtotal, Mandatory 

Appropriations............................. 94,255 7 83,813 18 77,940 33 94,255 37 +16,315 +4

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 

117-58)a:
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Landscape Scale Restoration (BIL)... - - - - 92 - 92 - - -

Cooperative Lands Forest Health 

Management (BIL)......................... - - 7,635 - 8,713 - 8,713 - - -

State Fire Capacity Grants (BIL) ...... - - 14,171 - 15,354 - 15,354 - - -

Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants 

(BIL)............................................... - - 4,000 - 4,000 - 4,000 - - -

Forest Stewardship (BIL).................. - - 8,799 - 8,714 - 8,714 - - -

Urban and Community Forestry 

(BIL)............................................... - - 7,737 - 8,713 - 8,713 - - -

Byproducts (BIL).............................. - - 20,000 - - - - - - -

Community Wildfire Defense Grants 

(BIL)............................................... - - 79,875 - 86,860 - 86,860 - - -

Firewood Banks (BIL) ...................... - - 1,287 - 1,394 - 1,394 - - -

Invasive Species Federal Lands 

Forest Health Management (BIL) .. - - 8,128 - 5,000 - 5,000 - - -

Invasive Species Cooperative Lands 

Forest Health Management (BIL) .. - - 7,000 - 7,685 - 7,685 - - -

Mined Lands (BIL) ........................... - - 1,153 - - - - - - -

National Revegetation (BIL)............. - - 7,752 - 9,207 - 9,207 - - -

Portable Skidder Bridges (BIL)......... - - 8,042 - 8,713 - 8,713 - - -

State Forestry Action Plans (BIL)..... - - 7,987 - 8,621 - 8,621 - - -

Wildland Fire Defense Grants (BIL). - - 80,515 - 87,230 - 87,230 - - -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ............. - - 9,115 4 9,115 58 9,115 59 - +1

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law.............................................. - - 273,196 4 269,411 58 269,411 59 - +1

Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169):

Inflation Reduction Act..................... - - 2,750,000 - - 21 - 103 - +82

Subtotal, Inflation Reduction Act... - - 2,750,000 - - 21 - 103 - +82

Supplemental Appropriations:

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 

117-43)b.......................................... - - 50,000 - - - - - - -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 

117-328)c ........................................ - - - - 148,000 - - - -148,000 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Subtotal, Supplemental 

Appropriations............................. - - 50,000 - 148,000 - - - -148,000 -

Total, Adjusted Appropriations............ 355,213 394 3,471,872 408 833,109 508 691,335 685 -141,774 +177

Add back:

Transfers In and Out.......................... 12,030 - 32,179 - 35,949 - 35,949 - - -

Sequestrations ................................... - - -5,018 - - - - - - -

Total, Appropriationse..................... 367,243 394 3,499,033 408 869,058 508 727,284 685 -141,774 +177

Transfers In:

National Forest System ..................... - - 21,153 - - - - - - -

Total, Transfers In................................ - - 21,153 - - - - - - -

Transfers Out:

Forest and Rangeland Research ........ - - -4,020 - -3,500 - -3,500 - - -

Forest Service Operations................. -6,034 - -47,700 - -27,722 - -27,722 - - -

Department of the Interior................. -187 - -85 - - - - - - -

National Forest System ..................... - - - - -3,200 - -3,200 - - -

Office of Inspector General............... - - -1,527 - -1,527 - -1,527 - - -

Total, Transfers Out............................. -6,221 - -53,332 - -35,949 - -35,949 - - -

Rescissions........................................ -5,809 - - - - - - - - -

Sequestrations ................................... - - 5,018 - - - - - - -

Recoveries, Other ............................. 24,686 - 21,743 - 21,242 - 21,151 - -91 -

Balance Available, SOY ................... 65,806 - 75,368 - 3,104,562 - 2,576,856 - -527,706 -

Total Available ................................... 445,705 394 3,568,983 408 3,958,913 508 3,289,342 685 -669,571 +177

Lapsing Balances .............................. -19 - -24 - - - - - - -

Bal. Available, EOY ......................... -75,368 - -3,104,562 - -2,576,856 -1,580,586 - +996,270 -

Total Obligations................................ 364,509 394 459,602 408 1,382,057 508 1,708,756 685 +326,699 +177

a The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) are advance appropriations and provides $305,360,000 each year from 2022 through 2026 not including transfers.

b P.L. 117-43 provided $25,000,000 to the Forest and Inventory Analysis program for necessary expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred 

between calendar years 2019 through 2021.

c P.L. 117-328 provided $148,000,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. 

d Funding for Forest Legacy is $94,255,000 not $77,940,000. MAX indicates $77 million. 

e The discrepancy between the project statement and Max schedule X is reimbursable funds.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-56 

Table FS-21. Obligations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Discretionary Obligations:

Landscape Scale Restoration...................................... $13,787 - $12,423 - $16,124 - $14,849 - -$1,275 -

Federal Lands Forest Health Management................. 15,606 11 15,345 - 17,729 - 20,354 - +2,625 -

Cooperative Lands Forest Health Management ......... 30,705 6 27,964 - 32,694 - 35,087 - +2,393 -

State Fire Capacity Grants (State Fire Assistance)..... 75,276 - 64,978 - 75,165 - 76,842 - +1,677 -

Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants (Volunteer Fire 

Assistance) .............................................................. 19,146 - 18,942 - 21,627 - 21,886 - +259 -

Forest Legacy............................................................. 2,459 5 22,296 - 15,231 - 11,536 - -3,695 -

Forest Stewardship (Working Forest Lands).............. 11,833 2 10,018 - 12,333 - 13,882 - +1,549 -

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation..... 3,997 - 3,101 - 4,759 - 6,060 - +1,301 -

Urban and Community Forestry................................. 31,866 1 30,825 - 38,969 - 41,986 - +3,017 -

Forest Resource Information and Analysis................ - - 17,846 - 25,187 - 10,182 - -15,005 -

International Programs and Trade Compliance.......... 14,565 1 19,171 - 20,494 - 22,489 - +1,995 -

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry – Other................. 7,674 37 9,758 49 8,894 - 8,462 - -432 -

Salaries and Expenses................................................ 48,806 324 49,761 337 57,931 396 72,455 486 +14,524 +90

Subtotal, Discretionary Obligations ........................ 275,720 387 302,428 386 347,137 396 356,070 486 +8,933 +90

Mandatory Obligations:

Forest Legacy (Great American Outdoors Act) ......... 87,908 7 89,432 18 76,827 33 89,065 37 +12,238 +4

Subtotal, Mandatory Obligations............................. 87,908 7 89,432 18 76,827 33 89,065 37 +12,238 +4

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)a:

Landscape Scale Restoration (BIL)............................ - - - - 71 - 87 - +16 -

Cooperative Lands Forest Health Management (BIL)... - - 2,026 - 3,800 - 5,104 - +1,304 -

State Fire Capacity Grants (BIL) ............................... - - 4,832 - 8,420 - 10,784 - +2,364 -

Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants (BIL)........................ - - 1,365 - 2,264 - 2,856 - +592 -

Forest Stewardship (BIL)........................................... - - 2,551 - 4,338 - 5,607 - +1,269 -

Urban and Community Forestry (BIL)....................... - - 3,132 - 5,391 - 6,736 - +1,345 -

Byproducts (BIL)....................................................... - - 4,989 - 7,835 - 9,971 - +2,136 -

Community Wildfire Defense Grants (BIL)............... - - 3,809 - 7,769 - 11,540 - +3,771 -

Firewood Banks (BIL) ............................................... - - 1,117 - 1,357 - 1,389 - +32 -

Invasive Species Federal Lands Forest Health 

Management (BIL).................................................. - - 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 - - -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-57 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Invasive Species Cooperative Lands Forest Health 

Management (BIL).................................................. - - - - 12,629 - 8,377 - -4,252 -

Mined Lands (BIL) .................................................... - - 1,153 - - - - - - -

National Revegetation (BIL)...................................... - - 537 - 1,138 - 1,697 - +559 -

Portable Skidder Bridges (BIL).................................. - - - - 12,901 - 9,676 - -3,225 -

State Forestry Action Plans (BIL).............................. - - 2,387 - 4,250 - 5,556 - +1,306 -

Wildland Fire Defense Grants (BIL).......................... - - - - 129,164 - 96,875 - -32,289 -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ...................................... - - 838 4 8,891 58 9,006 59 +115 +1

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law................... - - 33,736 4 215,218 58 190,261 59 -24,957 +1

Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169):

Inflation Reduction Act.............................................. - - - - 625,000 21 1,026,000 103 +401,000 +82

Subtotal, Inflation Reduction Act............................ - - - - 625,000 21 1,026,000 103 +401,000 +82

Supplemental Obligations:

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 115-123)b ......... 881 - 257 - 984 - - - -984 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-43)c ........... - - 33,749 - 16,251 - - - -16,251 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-328)d ......... - - - - 100,640 - 47,360 - -53,280 -

Subtotal, Supplemental Obligations........................ 881 - 34,006 - 117,875 - 47,360 - -70,515 -

Total Obligations......................................................... 364,509 394 459,602 408 1,382,057 508 1,708,756 685 +326,699 +177

Balances Available, EOY:

Landscape Scale Restoration...................................... 1,158 - 2,314 - 4,224 - 3,890 - -334 -

Federal Lands Forest Health Management................. 1,611 - 3,362 - 3,544 - 4,069 - +525 -

Cooperative Lands Forest Health Management ......... 441 - 4,272 - 5,521 - 5,925 - +404 -

State Fire Capacity Grants (State Fire Assistance)..... 1,638 - 12,251 - 14,857 - 15,189 - +332 -

Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants (Volunteer Fire 

Assistance) .............................................................. 76 - 1,990 - 2,346 - 2,374 - +28 -

Forest Legacy............................................................. 45,705 - 24,238 - 16,558 - 12,541 - -4,017 -

Forest Stewardship (Working Forest Lands).............. -209 - 2,055 - 2,413 - 2,716 - +303 -

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation..... 65 - 2,514 - 4,034 - 5,137 - +1,103 -

Urban and Community Forestry................................. 369 - 5,832 - 7,757 - 8,358 - +601 -

Forest Resource Information and Analysis................ - - 12,110 - 17,092 - 6,910 - -10,182 -

International Programs and Trade Compliance.......... 2,360 - 649 - 813 - 892 - +79 -

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry – Other................. 10,641 - 8,913 - 8,212 - 7,814 - -398 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-58 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Salaries and Expenses................................................ 4,351 - 9,925 - 17,177 - 21,483 - +4,306 -

Forest Legacy (Great American Outdoors Act) ......... 6,347 - 7,477 - 6,590 - 7,780 - +1,190 -

Landscape Scale Restoration (BIL)............................ - - - - 21 - 26 - +5 -

Cooperative Lands Forest Health Management (BIL)... - - 5,609 - 10,522 - 14,131 - +3,609 -

State Fire Capacity Grants (BIL) ............................... - - 9,339 - 16,273 - 20,843 - +4,570 -

Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants (BIL)........................ - - 2,635 - 4,371 - 5,515 - +1,144 -

Forest Stewardship (BIL)........................................... - - 6,248 - 10,624 - 13,731 - +3,107 -

Urban and Community Forestry (BIL)....................... - - 4,605 - 7,927 - 9,904 - +1,977 -

Byproducts (BIL)....................................................... - - 15,011 - 23,576 - 30,005 - +6,429 -

Community Wildfire Defense Grants (BIL)............... - - 76,066 - 155,157 - 230,477 - +75,320 -

Firewood Banks (BIL) ............................................... - - 170 - 207 - 212 - +5 -

Invasive Species Federal Lands Forest Health 

Management (BIL).................................................. - - 3,128 - 3,128 - 3,128 - - -

Invasive Species Cooperative Lands Forest Health 

Management (BIL).................................................. - - 7,000 - 2,056 - 1,364 - -692 -

Mined Lands (BIL) .................................................... - - - - - - - - - -

National Revegetation (BIL)...................................... - - 7,215 - 15,284 - 22,794 - +7,510 -

Portable Skidder Bridges (BIL).................................. - - 8,042 - 3,854 - 2,891 - -963 -

State Forestry Action Plans (BIL).............................. - - 5,600 - 9,971 - 13,036 - +3,065 -

Wildland Fire Defense Grants (BIL).......................... - - 80,515 - 38,581 - 28,936 - -9,645 -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ...................................... - - 8,277 - 8,501 - 8,610 - +109 -

Inflation Reduction Act.............................................. - - 2,750,000 - 2,108,305 - 1,069,905 - -1,038,400 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 115-123)b ......... 815 - 949 - - - - - - -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-43)c ........... - - 16,251 - 47,360 - - - -47,360 -

Total, Balances Available, EOY ................................... 75,368 - 3,104,562 - 2,576,856 - 1,580,586 - -996,270 -

Total Available ............................................................ 439,877 394 3,564,164 408 3,958,913 508 3,289,342 685 -669,571 +177

Less:

Rescission................................................................... 5,809 - - - - - - - - -

Total Transfers In....................................................... - - -21,153 - - - - - - -

Total Transfers Out .................................................... 6,221 - 53,332 - 35,949 - 35,949 - - -

Sequestration.............................................................. - - -5,018 - - - - - - -

Recoveries, Other ...................................................... -24,686 - -21,743 - -21,242 - -21,151 - +91 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Balance Available, SOY ............................................ -65,806 - -75,368 - -3,104,562 - -2,576,856 - +527,706 -

Total Appropriation.................................................... 361,415 394 3,494,214 408 869,058 508 727,284 685 -141,774 +177

a The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) are advance appropriations and provides $305,360,000 each year from 2022 through 2026 not including transfers.

b P.L. 115-123 provided $20,652,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. 

c P.L. 117-43 provided $25,000,000 to the Forest and Inventory Analysis program for necessary expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred 

between calendar years 2019 through 2021.

d P.L. 117-328 provided $148,000,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-60 

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES

The numbers and letters of the following listing relates to values in the Change (Chg) Key column of the Project 

Statement:

Salaries and Expenses

(9) An increase of $11,578,000 and 90 FTE ($65,091,000 and 396 FTEs enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $3,157,000 for 2024 Pay. 

This increase would support the annualization of the 2023 4.6 percent Cost of Living pay increase and the 

2024 5.2 percent Cost of Living pay increase. If this funding is not provided, it would impact the level of 

assistance the agency provides to partners.

B) An increase $8,421,000 and 90 FTE (for a total of 486 FTE) for pay and employee costs. 

This increase would improve the level of technical assistance the agency provides to partners to keep 

working forests intact and facilitate sound stewardship of lands across all ownerships on a landscape scale. 

Impacts include increased ability to work with Tribes, States, and partners to provide an avenue for naturebased climate solutions to enhance ecosystem and human community resilience to climate change. This 

increase would also bolster the ability to support mission-essential travel and training that is critical for 

employee development and satisfaction.

Landscape Scale Restoration

Landscape Scale Restoration is a competitive grant program that provides funding and technical assistance for 

collaborative, science-based restoration of priority rural forest landscapes. Eligible grant applicants include State 

forestry or appropriate agencies, non-profit organizations, universities, local governments, and Federally recognized 

Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. 

Landscape Scale Restoration projects contribute to healthy, climate-resilient rural forests and communities; and 

help: 1) reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires; 2) improve fish and wildlife habitats, including for threatened 

and endangered species; 3) maintain or improve water quality and watershed function; 4) mitigate invasive plants, 

insects, and diseases; 5) improve important forest ecosystems; and 6) measure ecological and economic benefits, 

including air and soil quality and productivity. By fostering more resilient lands and waters, projects contribute to 

climate policy objectives and the Administration’s goal to conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 

2030. 

The program also contributes to Executive Order 13985 Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 

Communities Through the Federal Government and the USDA Equity Action Plan. In 2022, the program developed 

national guidance to integrate equity into the regional project selection process. Project proposals that showed direct 

benefits to and engaged historically underserved communities received priority consideration. The program also 

launched the first competitive Request for Proposals for Federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native 

Corporations to expand Tribal participation in the Landscape Scale Restoration Program and to restore priority 

forest landscapes on Tribal land. 

2024 funds will be competitively awarded to cross-boundary, place-based projects that achieve on-the-ground 

outcomes in priority forest landscapes. The program will continue to prioritize and fund projects that engage and 

benefit historically underserved communities and will double the funding available for Tribes. 

(1) A decrease of $3,000,000 ($17,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) A decrease of $3,000,000 would reduce the number of Landscape Scale Restoration projects. 

This decrease would reduce the number of projects with Tribes, States, and other eligible partners by 12

projects and result in reduced land treatment and restoration activities on non-Federal lands, based on prior 

year performance data. It would reduce planned funding for Tribes by $1 million, which is one of ten key 

priorities identified in the USDA Equity Action Plan. Past performance of projects supported by the 

Landscape Scale Restoration program have demonstrated success in reducing wildland fire risk, improving 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-61 

forest conditions, and mitigating impacts from insects and disease and leveraging public and private 

resources.

Federal Lands Forest Health Management

Forest Health Management on Federal Lands program (FHM-Federal Lands) conducts management activities on 

Federal lands supporting ecological resilience, sustainable timber production, recreation opportunities, clean water, 

clean air, robust economies, and promotes climate adaptive forests and grasslands. Threats from insects, diseases, 

hazard trees, and wildland fire are mitigated through efficient, effective forest health management. 

This program helps the National Forest System, and other actively managed Federal lands, to suppress forest insects 

and diseases. FHM-Federal Lands’ work includes technical assistance, suppression and prevention efforts, as well as 

long-term management strategies to slow-the-spread of forest insects and diseases. FHM-Federal Lands program 

supports forest insect and disease detection surveys, and long-term monitoring activities which gather data on forest 

health conditions to inform management activities across Federal forested lands in the United States. The program 

works to improve forest health and reduce wildland fire risk on National Forest System lands with multiple Federal 

partners including the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, 

National Park Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Department of Defense (DoD) to address insect 

and disease infestations.

FHM-Federal Lands directly supports the Administration and Agency strategic goals and initiatives to improve 

forest health and mitigate climate change. Several examples include: 

Reducing Risk and Damage on National Forests. FHM-Federal Lands works with National Forest System partners 

to provide technical assistance, surveys, and forest health treatment funding to reduce forest susceptibility to insects, 

pests, and disease. Treatments, such as forest thinning, promote forest health in a holistic manner that can reduce 

forest susceptibility to pests while also reducing wildland fire hazard. In 2022, FHM accomplished over 240,000 

acres of treatment for native pests and over 260,000 acres for invasive species on Federal lands. 

Technical Assistance and Treatment Funding to Federal Agencies. FHM-Federal Lands partners with DOI bureaus 

and DOD to provide technical assistance, survey, and treat lands that have infestations of insects and diseases. In 

2022, FHM-Federal Lands provided $1.5 million to DOI and DOD agencies to treat infestations at more than 25 

facilities. 

Supporting Healthy Tribal Forests. FHM-Federal Lands works with Tribes to provide technical assistance, survey, 

and treatments of insects and diseases impacting culturally valuable and climate sensitive ecosystems. In 2022, 

FHM- Federal Lands supported whitebark pine restoration with the Yakima Nation and applying traditional 

ecological knowledge to restoring culturally important pinyon landscapes with the Washoe Tribe.

Working Cross boundary for Watershed Protection. In 2022, projects in the Tahoe Basin in California were 

conducted to increase resilience of forests to bark beetle infestations and wildfire. Within the Tahoe National Forest, 

700 acres of forests were thinned to increase tree health, reduce risk of bark beetle impacts and reduce hazardous 

fuel loads. Associated with this effort, a cross boundary project in partnership with the Mooretown Maidu Tribe 

treated more than 200 acres in the Sierraville area to improve forest and tree health and reduce the risk of wildfire 

and beetles.

In 2024, FHM-Federal Lands will continue to target and focus treatment investments driven by science obtained 

from ongoing detection surveys and field evaluations. The program is well integrated with the National Forest 

System and Research and Development functions of the Agency to deliver a unified and integrated approach to 

addressing forest health improvement across all lands. 

(2) An increase of $3,000,000 ($17,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $3,000,000 for additional funding to expand forest health improvement activities. 

This increase provides additional funding to expand forest health improvement activities on Federal lands. 

This would increase the program’s ability to locate and suppress forest pests. Invasive species are 

expanding across Federal lands and are causing forest mortality and damage. Early detection is critical to 

slowing the spread of these pests. Landscapes degraded by invasive pests have a higher risk of wildfire. 

This increased funding would improve the ability to monitor forest conditions for emerging or expanding 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-62 

pests, increase the opportunity to invest in innovative technologies to improve efficiency, and increase the 

number of acres treated to suppress and prevent forest pests, diseases, and invasive plants. The program 

also connects citizens to engage in forest science and learn the impacts of forest insects, diseases, and 

invasive species on communities, watersheds, and human health. These activities would be expanded with 

the increased funding. This would also bolster the program’s ability to address the effects of climate change 

on public lands and support the Administration’s conservation priorities.

Table FS-22. Funding for selected insects, diseases, and invasive plants by Fiscal Year (thousands of dollars)

RD - (Research Appropriation) SPTF – (State, Private, and Tribal 

Forestry, Forest Health Appropriation)

2021 

Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Asian Longhorned Beetle (Total) ................................................................... $294 $338 $300 $365 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. - - - 25

RD .................................................................................................................... 294 338 300 340

Emerald Ash Borer (Total) ............................................................................. 1,530 1,752 1,800 2,000 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 334 200 500 500

RD .................................................................................................................... 1,196 1,552 1,300 1,500

Gold Spotted Oak Borer, Thousand Canker Disease, Laurel Wilt (Total) . 903 890 1,100 1,050 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 338 500 500 500

RD .................................................................................................................... 565 390 600 550

Spongy Moth (Total) ....................................................................................... 7,885 9,823 8,500 8,325 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 7,610 9,500 8,200 8,000

RD .................................................................................................................... 275 323 300 325

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Total) ................................................................... 2,625 2,461 2,600 2,850 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 1,785 1,700 1,700 2,000

RD .................................................................................................................... 840 761 900 850

Invasive Plants (Total) .................................................................................... 3,778 3,300 3,650 4,400 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 2,477 1,900 2,250 3,000

RD .................................................................................................................... 1,301 1,400 1,400 1,400

Oak Wilt (Total) .............................................................................................. 707 889 890 990 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 537 600 700 700

RD .................................................................................................................... 170 289 190 290

Port Orford Cedar Root Disease (Total) ....................................................... 75 75 100 75 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 75 75 100 75

Sirex Woodwasp (Total) ................................................................................. 160 155 180 160 

RD .................................................................................................................... 160 155 180 160

Southern Pine Beetle (Total) .......................................................................... 3,731 3,420 4,400 4,700 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 3,540 3,220 4,200 4,500

RD .................................................................................................................... 191 200 200 200

Subterranean Termites (Total) ...................................................................... 1,025 840 1,100 900 

RD .................................................................................................................... 1,025 840 1,100 900

Sudden Oak Death (Total) .............................................................................. 1,909 2,000 2,230 2,300 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 1,700 1,700 2,000 2,000

RD .................................................................................................................... 209 300 230 300

Western Bark Beetles (Total) ......................................................................... 5,853 5,800 6,300 7,300 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 4,190 4,000 4,500 5,500

RD .................................................................................................................... 1,663 1,800 1,800 1,800

Whitebark Pine Pests (Total) ......................................................................... 452 542 492 590 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 196 200 150 250

RD .................................................................................................................... 256 342 342 340

White Pine Blister Rust (Total) ...................................................................... 317 378 340 390 

SPTF ................................................................................................................. 234 300 250 300
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-63 

RD - (Research Appropriation) SPTF – (State, Private, and Tribal 

Forestry, Forest Health Appropriation)

2021 

Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

RD .................................................................................................................... 83 78 90 90

Total Funding .................................................................................................. 31,244 32,663 33,982 36,395 

 SPTF Total ..................................................................................................... 23,016 23,895 25,050 27,350 

 RD Total ......................................................................................................... 8,228 8,768 8,932 9,045 

Cooperative Lands Forest Health Management

The Forest Health Management on Cooperative Lands (FHM-Cooperative Lands) program works across land 

ownership boundaries to reduce risk and improve forest conditions at landscape and watershed scales. The program 

produces data, analysis, and forest health condition reports to assist active forest management decisions and crossboundary treatment plans with partners. 

Pest management methods are more effective in an all-lands approach. The FHM-Cooperative Lands program works 

with States, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, Freely Associated States, and other partners to provide 

technical and financial assistance to monitor, assess, and mitigate forest health threats on non-Federal lands before 

they spread to healthy forests. Investments in this program are typically matched dollar for dollar by partners. 

Program work also includes active coordination with other USDA agencies, such as the Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service, on forest pest activities to foster agency-to-agency coordination and collaborative survey and 

monitoring efforts across the country.

The Forest Health Assessment and Applied Science team produces annual Forest Conditions Reports and the 

National Insect and Disease Risk Map, which characterizes and predicts forest pest mortality and damage across 

Federal, state, tribal, and private lands. The current edition of the Risk Map estimates that approximately 27 million 

acres could be affected by forest insects and diseases over the next five years, depending on infestation rates and 

long-term weather patterns. This analysis project helps guide management focus and target areas designated for 

attention by Farm Bill programs. The program is an example of shared stewardship to include working with States 

and other partners to set priorities and co-manage risk, using science-based tools to target treatment investments, and 

focusing on landscape-scale outcomes using all active management tools. The program fosters collaboration 

between National Forests, States, Tribes, and private interests that embody the concepts of shared stewardship and 

supports implementation activities.

FHM-Cooperative Lands works to conserve America’s lands and waters, helps address climate change impacts, and 

expands service to underserved communities. Examples include:

Sudden Oak Death in Oregon and California. This program continues to support Sudden Oak Death (SOD) 

detection and containment efforts with implementation funds provided to support state and county-level efforts. 

Treatments to reduce SOD spread were supported with FHM-Cooperative Lands program funds for multiple land 

ownerships, with the majority (71%) applied to private lands. FHM-Cooperative Lands funding to support detection, 

treatments, and education have been critical to slow the rate of spread of this disease. 

Expanded Partnership to Address Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). EAB continues to impact ash trees in both urban and 

rural forests. It is now found in 35 states and the Forest Service is working with state partners to help communities 

deal with the impacts of this invasive beetle. High value and ecologically significant ash trees were targeted with 

insecticide treatments, and biocontrol organisms were utilized to reduce populations of EAB. The program is also 

conducting surveys and implementing adaptive management in culturally significant ash forests with the Saint Regis 

Mohawk Tribe. This ongoing project involves multiple partners, including the Tribe, USDA Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It 

leverages several projects to maximize implementation of EAB treatments on Tribal lands and nearby state lands in 

easement with the Tribe. 

Advanced racial equity and outreach to underserved communities through our Healthy Forest Healthy People

Initiative with Corazon Latino. This program activates with underserved communities to explore the impact of the 

forest health on human health. The protection and conservation of our forests and green spaces are critical to 

improving human health, particularly in communities that suffer from health and socio-economic disparities. In 

2022, the partnership doubled down on efforts to reach Latino communities, invested more deeply in programming 

online by providing timely, relevant information on topics including health and nature, conservation, environmental 

education, and citizen science. Since its inception in 2018, the program has organized more than 300 grassroots 
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activities and approximately 50 online activities (town halls, online concerts, webinars) that have engaged more than 

40,000 members of the public in person and over 5 million online across 20 states, Puerto Rico, and in 5 countries. 

The Forest Health Management staff worked with the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) to develop a 

set of performance metrics to better illustrate the full range of impacts by the Forest Health Management program.

Implementation was launched in 2022 and will help guide our program direction in 2024.

(3) An increase of $2,000,000 ($33,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $2,000,000 would increase acres treated. 

This increase would provide for more acres treated to prevent the spread of insects and disease and invasive 

plants, compared to 2023. This would also increase support for priorities around climate adaptation and 

resilience and protection of biodiversity on State and private lands. It would also support the progress on 

identification and agreement on outcome performance measures for the America the Beautiful initiative and 

other climate resilience outcomes. The expansion and new introduction of invasive insects and forest 

diseases have created landscape-level forest mortality and damage, putting areas in greater wildfire and 

forest health risk. This increase would support the State’s capacity to deliver assistance to landowners to

manage their forested lands and monitor forest conditions for emerging or expanding pests. The program 

has engaged in efforts to expand tribal land assistance and to improve the assessment and assistance to

urban forest health monitoring and management. This increase would expand service to underrepresented 

populations and lands such as tribal lands and in urban areas. The increase of funds may bolster the 

expansion of performance outcomes which demonstrate the contribution and impact of forest health 

management activities on State, Tribal, and private lands, and foster cross-boundary work.

Forest Stewardship (Working Forest Lands)

The Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) is a partnership between the Forest Service and State forestry agencies to 

deliver technical assistance and support to non-industrial private forest landowners who own nearly 40 percent of 

the Nation’s forests (253 million acres). Healthy, resilient forests provide timber, wildlife habitat, watershed 

protection, recreational opportunities, carbon sequestration, and other benefits to communities, including rural, 

underserved communities. 

Over the last ten years, FSP assistance has developed forest management plans for more than 140,000 landowners to 

sustainably manage 21.5 million acres of forests. Landowner outreach is fundamental to program success. In 2023, 

the program accomplished assisting nearly half a million landowners and developed 11,000 management plans for 

the sustainable management of 550,000 acres. In addition to the base funding, remaining program funds are 

allocated competitively based on past performance, rewarding continued effective program implementation within 

state-identified priority areas.

Sustainably managed private forests can increase carbon storage and are more resilient to a changing climate, 

presenting an opportunity to support the Nation’s carbon reduction and climate resiliency goals. The FSP connects 

landowners with the technical assistance needed to carry out forest resilience practices and activities that increase 

carbon storage and other benefits. In alignment with Department goals to make equity a priority, the program partner 

with several different organizations to address barriers and ensure access to programs for new and historically 

disadvantaged landowners. These partners are developing unique strategies to connect with disadvantaged 

landowners and ensure that the FSP is accessible to all landowners. 

The 2024 funding will enable States to achieve conservation goals outlined in each State Forest Action Plan through 

delivery of technical assistance, education, and outreach to private forest landowners. This assistance, along with 

long-term trusted relationships with professional foresters, is critical to the ongoing health and long-term legacy of 

private forests. By improving the management of private forests, States are addressing critical conservation priorities 

to protect public benefits. 

(4) An increase of $1,500,000 ($12,500,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:
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A) An increase of $1,500,000 would support State forestry agencies’ ability to deliver technical assistance to

private forest landowners. 

This increase would support State forestry agencies’ ability to deliver planning and technical assistance to 

private forest landowners to help them actively manage their forests. Actively managed forests provide 

timber, fuel wood, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, recreational opportunities, and other ecosystem 

services, and contribute to healthier, more resilient landscapes. In 2024, with an increased budget, 

additional funding would be available for competitive allocation to State forestry agencies. In 2023, 41

percent of the State FSP funding was allocated competitively based on performance whereas with this 

increase, 48 percent of the funding would be allocated competitively in 2024. Increased funding levels will 

allow for continued financial support for partnerships with minority-serving institutions that are working to 

address barriers to program access experienced by minority landowners, as well as increased support for 

State forestry agencies to provide technical assistance to all non-industrial landowners.

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation

The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program) is a competitive grant 

program that provides financial assistance to Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit 

organizations to acquire and establish community forests that provide community benefits. Community benefits 

include economic benefits through active forest management, clean water, wildlife habitat, educational 

opportunities, and public access for recreation. The Forest Service has agreements in place with the First Nations 

Development Institute and The Trust for Public Land to increase outreach to Tribes and to provide technical 

assistance to help Tribes successfully apply to the program. 

Projects are selected through a competitive process that evaluates community benefits, contribution to landscape 

conservation initiatives, and likelihood of land conversion. The project review panel also considers the climate 

resiliency score, using The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient Land Mapping Tools, and the Centers for Disease 

Control (CDC) Social Vulnerability (SVI) index for the location of each proposed project during the review process. 

The Community Forest Program offers a unique opportunity for communities to acquire and conserve forests that 

provide public access and recreational opportunities, protect vital water supplies and wildlife habitat, protect cultural 

resources, and provide economic benefits through forest management. By permanently conserving forests that are 

actively managed for multiple community benefits, projects contribute to the national climate policy objectives and 

the Administration’s goal to conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030. Projects funded in 

disadvantaged communities also advance Executive Order 13985. 

Fiscal year 2024 funds will be competitively awarded to projects that provide defined community benefits, 

demonstrate public engagement and participation, contribute to broader landscape initiatives, and are threatened by 

conversion to non-forest uses. The program will continue to prioritize and fund projects that engage and benefit 

disadvantaged communities and provide outreach and technical assistance to Tribal applicants to facilitate Tribal 

participation in the program.

(5) An increase of $1,000,000 ($6,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $1,000,000 would provide financial assistance grants to Tribes, local governments, and 

qualified nonprofit organizations. 

This increase would provide financial assistance grants to Tribes, local governments, and qualified 

nonprofit organizations to acquire and establish working community forests. Based on prior performance, 

this increase would result in up to two additional permanent land conservation projects, which provide 

recreation access, educational opportunities, and conservation benefits in perpetuity. Competitive project

selection considers a variety of factors in ranking and selecting projects using tools such as the Climate and 

Economic Justice Screening Tool and national data illustrating climate resilience and biodiversity, in 

addition to more detailed local data and information provided by the applicant. This increase supports 

collaborative efforts with Tribes and disadvantaged communities to facilitate climate resilience and ensure 

that the benefits of climate investment are equitably distributed.

Urban and Community Forestry

The Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program is optimizing the Nation’s urban forests to provide community 

benefits such as green jobs, clean air, relief from extreme heat, natural disasters, high energy costs, and flooding. 
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UCF directly engages with historically underrepresented and disadvantaged communities, the very audiences who 

stand to benefit most from improved tree planting and maintenance efforts. UCF supports urban forest health, 

creates jobs, enhances community resilience, and preserves the unique sense of place in cities and towns of all sizes.

UCF provides funding and technical support to state forestry agencies and non-profit partners to help communities 

maintain and protect about 12 billion trees. It also works with cooperators to leverage private funding to maintain 

tree canopy, resulting in about 1 million trees planted annually in communities across the Nation. UCF authorities 

enable states to deliver technical and financial assistance to nearly 7,500 communities nationwide to better manage 

and benefit from urban trees. City and community trees help to reach national and local climate mitigation goals, are 

a major source of green jobs, and are an effective way to increase energy efficiency.

In alignment with the UCF 10-year Urban Forestry Action Plan and Executive Order 13985, “Advancing Racial 

Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government,” specifically, the Justice 40 

initiative, funding for the UCF Program provides innovative investments in communities experiencing low tree 

canopy cover and environmental injustice.

Urban forests represent 20 percent of all forests in the U.S. and provide an important opportunity to increase carbon 

sequestration and mitigate the effects of climate change, such as extreme heat. In addition, urban trees provide 

tremendous social, public health, economic, and environmental benefits to the public. With 2024 funding, UCF will 

continue to seek opportunities to increase reforestation in urban forests and on State, Tribal, and private lands across 

the country, and is committed to increasing the urban tree canopy in historically marginalized communities.

(6) An increase of $2,000,000 ($40,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $2,000,000 would provide numerous benefits to historically underrepresented and 

disadvantaged communities. 

This increase would provide financial and technical assistance that includes: 1) combating heat-related

disasters – which kill more Americans than all other disasters combined – by assisting communities in 

creating and implementing plans for heat mitigation; and 2) pairing job opportunities while achieving 

landscape scale restoration in vulnerable communities by providing tree planting and tree maintenance 

training and employment to residents. As a Justice40 covered program, program funds would be used for 

projects that plan, budget, promote, execute, and deliver 40 percent of the benefits of the agency’s 

investments through established partnerships with local organizations working to support disadvantaged 

communities to increase access, provide education, and promote use of vulnerability- and equity-based data 

tools.

Forest Resource Information and Analysis 

(7) A decrease of $30,167,000 ($30,167,000 enacted in 2023). 

Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending for Forest Resource Information and Analysis

was an item funded in 2023 enacted but was not included in the 2024 President’s Budget.

International Programs and Trade Compliance

Forest Service International Programs and Trade Compliance (International Programs) promotes sustainable forest 

management globally and brings important technologies and innovations back to the United States. The program 

represents the interests of the entire U.S. forestry community and its stakeholders through international engagement. 

International Programs also improves the management of forest invasive species by supporting collaborative work 

with USDA APHIS and Universities globally to control and prevent invasions. International Programs works to 

prevent migratory species from becoming listed under the United States Endangered Species Act and decreases the 

number of species currently listed by improving habitat for key migratory species outside of the United States. 

International Programs also supports the United States Special Envoy for Climate priorities with technical 

assistance.

Effective forest management at the global level is necessary to protect American trade interests, such as the ability 

for domestic timber producers to compete equally to ensure the sustainability of critical domestic and global natural 
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resources, and to support climate change mitigation and climate resilience. Through the Wood Identification and 

Screening Center, International Programs analyzed suspected illegal timber imports, aiding in 12 Department of 

Homeland Security and USDA APHIS investigations. Additionally, International Programs established two new 

laboratories for wood identification and screening in Peru and Vietnam, and gained commitments for additional 

laboratories in Gabon, Mexico, Namibia, and India, which will further enhance global efforts to combat illegal 

logging and improve forest governance. 

In 2024, International Programs will continue work to reduce emissions from deforestation, degradation, and land 

use change, and to promote climate-resilient natural resource management. This includes partnering with the Polar 

Geospatial Center (PGC) at the University of Minnesota for programs focused on mangrove monitoring, rangeland 

mapping, and land use change detection, and supporting the Special Envoy for Climate to support Administration 

priorities overseas, including 25 new partnerships to promote climate action on the ground with a focus on 

disadvantaged communities most at risk from climate change. International Programs also leads interagency 

coordination on technical assistance for the National Security Council’s Forest Climate Strategy.

(8) An increase of $2,000,000 ($20,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $2,000,000 for support of important international initiatives. 

This increase would support important international initiatives, including support for conservation of 

coastal wetland habitat along the Pacific to support threatened shorebirds’ habitat, engaging with the 

private sector and non-governmental organizations on economically and environmentally sustainable use of 

wetlands that enhance rural livelihoods.
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CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS

Table FS-23. Classification by Objects (thousands of dollars)

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Personnel Compensation:

Washington D.C........................................................... $2,238 $13,990 $18,419 $18,864

Personnel compensation, field ..................................... 38,880 29,660 37,930 39,994

11.0 Total personnel compensation................................... 41,118 43,650 56,349 58,858

12.0 Personal benefits.......................................................... 15,231 16,674 20,761 22,484

Total, personnel compensation and benefits............. 56,349 60,324 77,110 81,342

Other Objects:

21.0 Travel and transportation of persons............................ 405 1,564 3,577 4,530

22.0 Transportation of things............................................... 390 271 1,019 1,522

23.1 Rental payments to GSA.............................................. 656 667 2,440 3,043

23.2 Rental payments to others............................................ 7 2 17 21

23.3 Communications, utilities, and misc. charges.............. 31 6 68 85

24.0 Printing and reproduction ............................................ 126 86 391 488

25.1 Advisory and assistance services................................. 4 2 11 14

25.2 Other services from non-Federal sources..................... 16,638 10,174 49,458 61,679

25.3 Other goods and services from Federal sources........... 4,187 5,346 17,585 21,930

25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities....................... 59 7,701 14,314 17,851

25.5 Research and development contracts........................... 6 22 52 64

25.6 Medical care................................................................. 1 4 9 12

25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment.................... 46 13 109 136

26.0 Supplies and materials................................................. 1,409 1,555 5,067 6,818

31.0 Equipment.................................................................... 1,118 554 3,084 3,846

32.0 Land and structures...................................................... - 104 192 239

41.0 Grants, subsidies, and contributions ............................ 283,079 371,197 1,207,540 1,505,118

42.0 Insurance claims and indemnities................................ - 10 18 23

44.0 Refunds........................................................................ -2 - -4 -5

Total, other objects.................................................... 308,160 399,278 1,304,947 1,627,414

99.9 Total, new obligations............................................ 364,509 459,602 1,382,057 1,708,756

Position Data:

Average Salary (dollars), ES Position.......................... $178,999 $183,724 $192,175 $202,168 

Average Salary (dollars), GS Position ......................... 104,775 103,203 107,950 113,564

Average Grade, GS Position ........................................ 12 11.8 11.8 11.8
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STATUS OF PROGRAMS

Landscape Scale Restoration

Current Activities

Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) is a competitive grant program that funds collaborative, science-based 

restoration projects that cross multiple jurisdictions, including in priority rural forest landscapes, by leveraging State, 

Tribal, and partner capacity with strategic Federal investments.23 The program addresses large-scale issues including 

wildfire risk reduction, watershed protection and restoration, and the spread of invasive species, insect infestation 

and disease by supporting cross-boundary, landscape-scale projects identified in a science-based restoration strategy,

such as State Forest Action Plans,

24 to deliver on-the-ground results.

In 2022, the LSR program benefited landscapes and communities by restoring health and resilience within State 

priority areas using $12.5 million in competitive grants to fund 49 projects in 32 States and 3 territories. This was a 

similar geographic reach as 2021, where $12.5 million in grants were awarded for 54 projects in 41 States and 3 

territories. These projects include assistance for disadvantaged landowners and forestry practices that support 

climate resilience, with projects ranging from riparian forest restoration in Washington State’s Middle Snohomish 

Landscape to address climate vulnerabilities, to focusing on food security in the Federated States of Micronesia as a 

component of landscape conservation and restoration. 

Program Evaluations

For the agency’s regional competitive grant awards in 2022 and future years, the scoring criteria for LSR project 

selection has been updated so that project proposals showing direct benefits to, or intentional engagement of 

underserved communities will receive priority consideration. Additionally, in 2022 the program launched the first 

competitive request for proposals for Federally Recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations to expand tribal 

participation in the LSR program and to restore priority forest landscapes on Tribal land.25 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Protecting and Sustaining the Source Waters of Kawaihae and Honokoa Watersheds through Restoration and 

Community Stewardship in Hawaii: The Kohala Watershed Partnership protects and sustains a primary water source 

for 26,000 people in Hawaii’s Kohala district, in the forested summit region of Eke on Kohala Mountain. This 

priority landscape includes Kawaihae and Honokoa watersheds and totals 22,000 acres from summit to sea. By 

partnering on watershed restoration to control nonnative feral swine, raise public awareness about native forest 

ecosystems, and engage community members in forest to reef stewardship, the headwaters of five important streams 

will be protected from ongoing threats by invasive nonnative species. Project activities included fencing, ungulate 

removal, weed control, community stewardship, and water quality and quantity monitoring. In 2022, project partners 

carried out stewardship activities that included data collection, plant identification, seed collection, and invasive 

species removal. More than 30 acres were treated for invasive ginger plants and nearly 300 community members 

engaged in 18 learning excursions. 

Restoring Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata) forests on the Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky and Tennessee: Green 

Forests Work and other partners are restoring shortleaf pine-upland oak forest types on Kentucky’s Cumberland 

Plateau. Project sites include reclaimed mine tracts in Kentucky and former clear cuts in Tennessee. This 

collaborative, science-based restoration project addresses priority goals associated with both the Shortleaf Pine 

Restoration Initiative26 and the White Oak Initiative.27 A holistic suite of restoration activities includes invasive 

plant control, soil decompaction, and planting of native shortleaf pine and upland oaks. Reforestation of these sites 

improves air and water quality, improves forest resiliency, reduces forest fragmentation, and benefits wildlife. In 

2022, project partners planted over 100,000 seedlings across nearly 150 acres.

23 For the purposes of this program, “rural” refers to any city or town with a population of 50,000 or less according to the latest 

census.

24 A State Forest Action Plan is a document that generally provides detailed statewide analysis of forest conditions and trends. 

State Forest Action Plans can be found at: https://www.stateforesters.org/forest-action-plans/. 25 “Tribe” is defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)). As of this printing, 

there are 574 officially recognized tribes in the contiguous 48 states and Alaska.

26 https://shortleafpine.org/shortleaf-pine-initiative 27 https://www.whiteoakinitiative.org/
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Federal Lands Forest Health Management

Current Activities

Forest health management activities support ecological resilience, sustainable timber production, recreation 

opportunities, clean water, clean air, and robust economies. Threats from insects, diseases, invasive plants, hazard 

trees, and wildland fire are mitigated through efficient, effective forest health management.

The Federal Lands Forest Health Management program helps the National Forest System and other actively 

managed Federal lands suppress forest insects and diseases. FHM-Federal Lands’ work includes technical 

assistance, suppression and prevention efforts, as well as long-term management strategies to slow-the-spread of 

forest insects and diseases. The FHM-Federal Lands program funds forest insect and disease detection surveys and 

long-term monitoring activities that gather data on forest health conditions to inform management activities across 

Federal forested lands in the United States.

Table FS-24. Acres treated to prevent the spread of native and invasive pests on Federal and non-Federal lands in 

2022. 

Forest Health Management Activity Acres treated

Native pests on Federal lands a 243,623

Invasive pests on Federal lands a 269,107

Native pests on non-Federal lands b 37,757

Invasive pests on non-Federal lands b 600,433

Total 1,150,920 a Funded through Forest Health Management on Federal Lands

b Funded through Forest Health Management on Cooperative Lands

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Reducing Risk and Fostering Restoration in Partnership with Tribes in Oregon: The Forest Health Management 

program is protecting and restoring sensitive pine forests with the Warm Springs Tribe of Central Oregon. In 2022, 

together they identified over 500 acres in 19 mixed conifer stands for suppression of white pine blister rust. The 

stands were selected due to the potential for successful treatments on the Warm Springs Reservation east of the 

Cascades. These treatments on the Reservation appear to be effective and support the Tribe’s efforts to restore this 

species. 

Santa Fe National Forest fuels reduction and restoration projects in New Mexico: The Forest Health Management 

program has partnered with the Santa Fe National Forest to fund fuels reduction and restoration projects. In 2022, 

the program contributed funds to treat approximately 150 acres of forest that will produce fuelwood for local 

communities. The Santa Fe National Forest joined the National Forest Foundation (NFF) and the Tri Chapter Navajo 

to treat the area and to deliver the removed material to the Navajo Reservation Tribal communities in need of 

firewood. This represents the first formal Wood for Life Tribal Fuelwood Initiative in the state of New Mexico, 

which expands on successes from Arizona and the western side of the Navajo Nation.28 This agreement with NFF 

also provides funding to establish ancestral lands youth conservation crews to participate with stewardship activities 

on NFS lands and empower tribal youth to pursue careers in natural resource management.

Program Evaluations

The Forest Health Management program initiated a USDA Executive Dashboard in 2022. The dashboard displays 

analysis and data on insect and disease detection surveys, forest insect and disease risk information, and treatment 

accomplishments. The dashboard will communicate forest health indicators that will guide future assessment needs 

and aid in targeting management and treatment investments.

Cooperative Lands Forest Health Management

Current Activities

Pest management methods are more effective with an all-lands approach. The Forest Health Management on 

Cooperative Lands (FHM-Cooperative Lands) program works with States, the District of Columbia, U.S. 

Territories, Freely Associated States, and other partners to provide technical and financial assistance to monitor, 

assess, and mitigate forest health threats on non-Federal lands before they spread to healthy forests. Investments in 

28 https://www.nationalforests.org/regional-programs/southwest/wood-for-life-tribal-fuelwood-initiative
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this program are typically matched dollar for dollar by partners. The Forest Health Assessment and Applied Science 

team produces the annual Forest Conditions Reports29 and the National Insect and Disease Risk Map (Risk Map)

that characterizes and predicts forest pest mortality and damage across Federal, State, Tribal, and private lands.30

The current edition of the Risk Map, which covers 2013-2027, estimates that approximately 27 million acres across 

all lands could be affected by forest insects and diseases over the next five years depending on infestation rates and 

long-term weather patterns. These analysis projects help guide focused land management and target areas designated 

for attention by Section 8204 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79).

The FHM-Cooperative Lands program works across landownership boundaries to reduce risk and improve forest 

conditions at landscape and watershed scales. The program produces data, analysis, and forest health condition 

reports to assist active forest management decisions and cross-boundary treatment plans with partners. The program 

is an example of shared stewardship: working with States and other partners to set priorities and co-manage risk, 

using science-based tools to target treatment investments, and focusing on landscape-scale outcomes using all active 

management tools. Program work also includes active coordination with the USDA Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS) on forest pest activities in the form of monthly agency-to-agency coordination calls, 

peer-to-peer cooperation, and thorough collaboration on survey and monitoring efforts across the country.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Expanded Partnership to Address Emerald Ash Borer: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) continues to impact ash (Fraxinus) 

trees in both urban and native forests. It is now found in 36 states, and the Forest Service is working with State 

partners to help communities deal with the impacts of this invasive beetle. In 2022, EAB was found for the first time 

on the West Coast in Oregon. The Forest Service is working closely with state partners (Oregon Departments of 

Agriculture and Forestry) and the USDA APHIS to coordinate activities and implement a response plan. The Forest 

Service also coordinated an information session for State and municipal agencies to understand the best possible 

survey and management actions. The Forest Service continues to provide technical assistance, outreach materials, 

and financial support to Oregon, as well as other EAB-infested states, to address one of the most impactful pests 

affecting urban and native forests.

Cooperative Partnership to Fight Invasive Plants across the Pacific Islands: In 2022, the FHM cooperative invasive 

plant program worked with a suite of state, non-profit, and university partners to plan and implement strategies for 

invasive plant management across the Pacific Islands. Activities included early detection and eradication of newly 

established invasive plants, as well as treatments, and biological control for long-term management of established 

species. Approximately 900 acres of invasive plants were treated, and protocols and techniques for utilizing 

unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to deploy biocontrol agents were developed. These efforts helped to prevent new 

introductions and control established invasive plant populations which resulted in enhanced environmental 

resilience, food security, livelihoods, and cultural resources throughout Pacific Island communities.

Whitebark Pine Partnership with the Yakama Nation: The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation 

values whitebark pine (niník-aaš, Pinus albicaulis) and recognizes the role this species plays in supporting highelevation ecosystems. Whitebark pine is a culturally significant species at risk and is proposed to be listed as 

threatened under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. Natural resources important to the culture and 

heritage of the Yakama people such as the whitebark pine may be altered or lost. Until now, only 250 acres of the 

suspected 4,100 acres of whitebark pine forest type on the Yakama Reservation had been surveyed. In 2022, the 

Forest Health Management program initiated a Forest Health Monitoring investment to support the tribe by 

surveying remote upper elevation portions of the reservation to determine the presence and condition of whitebark 

pine. Tribal forestry crews received training from Forest Service pathologists, and the data collection will assist fiveneedle pine (white pine) tree inventories and restoration strategies. The funding was provided through a direct 

Cooperative Agreement which supports the shared stewardship goals in the partnership to assess, manage, and 

restore whitebark pine forests across all lands.

Program Evaluations

In 2022, FHM and the National Association of State Foresters launched the implementation of a set of performance 

metrics to better illustrate the full range of impacts by the FHM program. For many years, the program has 

expressed its accomplishments in the form of “acres treated” alone. However, forest health programs have made 

great progress on targeting treatments through improved survey and monitoring, application technology, and 

29 https://www.fs.usda.gov/foresthealth/publications/fhp/index.shtml 30 https://www.fs.usda.gov/foresthealth/applied-sciences/mapping-reporting/index.shtml
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pesticide management. Forest health programs also use education and outreach to engage landowners and the public 

in behaviors that help reduce the need for treatment, such as preventing spread of invasive species. To better 

represent the work and accomplishments achieved by forest health programs, the new set of performance metrics 

will capture data that encompass forest health treatments, survey and monitoring, as well as education and outreach. 

State Fire Capacity Grants (State Fire Assistance)

Current Activities

More than one-third of all homes in the United States are in fire-prone wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas. Local 

fire departments or State agencies are the first responders on almost 75 percent of wildfires across the Nation, 

including some wildfires that ignite on national forest lands. Collaboration between the Forest Service, the 

Department of the Interior, and non-Federal government entities is essential for an effective, all-lands approach to 

wildland fire management. Through the State Fire Capacity program, the Forest Service supports and assists State 

Foresters and local communities in building capacity for wildfire risk mitigation, control, and suppression on nonFederal lands. 

The program helps State agencies create more fire-adapted communities and resilient landscapes by implementing 

pre-fire prevention and mitigation programs and emphasizing pre-fire planning and risk reduction in the WUI. These 

wildfire risk reduction efforts are critical to implement the “National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management 

Strategy”31 and the agency’s “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: A 10-Year Implementation Plan.”32 The program 

funds important training for safer initial attack responses to wildfire. While the focus of these funds is on nonFederal lands, the investments benefit all wildland fire management partners by enabling States to increase and 

maintain wildfire suppression capacity, which in turn increases national capacity for both fire and non-fire 

emergencies, such as hurricanes and floods. Many state and local agencies make their resources available to the 

national system through regional coordination centers. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Southern Appalachian Collaborative in Georgia: A collaborative group of private landowners and resource 

conservation and development councils provides fire prevention education to residents across the Southern 

Appalachian region. The Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Fire Adapted Communities 

Coalition (AppCo) is supported by fire professionals from the Forest Service and State forestry agencies, and works 

closely with State employees, including those from the Georgia Forestry Commission. AppCo’s goal is to educate 

homeowners about wildfire risks and help residents take ownership of their surroundings. State Fire Capacity grants 

fund these education projects through the Georgia Forestry Commission. The grants have benefited homeowners in

more than 75 counties across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. The grant funding has allowed 

AppCo to add an additional 60 Firewise USA communities and complete 96 mitigation projects.33 Through this 

community outreach, a network of local citizens collaborated to make their communities less prone to fire. In 2022, 

for example, 24 of the 124 communities in Towns County, Georgia are now designated as fire-adapted. 

Fire Networks of The Nature Conservancy: State Fire Capacity funding supports various fire networks of The 

Nature Conservancy (TNC), including the Fire Learning Network (FLN), the Fire Adapted Communities Learning 

Network (FACNet), Indigenous Peoples Burning Network (IPBN), the Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX), 

and as of Spring 2022, the Women-in-Fire TREX, which had taken a two-year pause due to COVID-19. These fire 

networks develop local capacity, support project implementation, and spread best practices and learning to other 

practitioners. In 2022, the Prescribed Fire Learning Group taught 80 people from 19 states and 3 countries about

developing prescribed fire programs or projects, including sessions on fire conditions, cooperative burning, 

indigenous fire management, and successional planning. In Oregon, the FLN assisted the Klamath Tribes with 

developing a new fire management program, which the tribes are building with $6 million in state funds allocated 

for recovery from the Bootleg Fire. The Heart of the Appalachians FLN landscape hosted 29 people for two weeks 

of burning, mentoring, and exploring the role and challenges of women in the field. WTREX also developed a 

public Facebook page, providing an opportunity for people to learn more about gender representation in the fire 

workforce.34

31 The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and Risk Analysis – Phase III Report (forestsandrangelands.gov)

32 https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Wildfire-Crisis-Implementation-Plan.pdf

33 https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA

34 https://www.facebook.com/WomensTREX/
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Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants (Volunteer Fire Assistance) 

Current Activities

The Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant program provides technical and financial assistance to eligible local volunteer 

fire departments that protect communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer. There are over 24,000 rural and 

predominantly volunteer fire departments nationwide. In many rural areas across the Nation, the local volunteer fire 

department is the first responder to protect local communities from wildfire, and actively supports community 

wildfire risk mitigation efforts. 

The Volunteer Fire Capacity grant program focuses on increasing the capacity of local fire departments to provide 

initial attack on wildfires by providing additional firefighter training and assistance to departments with grant 

funding to purchase equipment for wildland firefighters. Recipients match grants dollar-for-dollar to increase the 

value of the Federal investment. Rural fire departments also play a key role in engaging communities about fire 

adaptation and mitigation and help meet expanded fire protection needs within the WUI. Together, these initiatives 

combine to create more fire-adapted communities.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Corrales Fire Department in New Mexico: In 2022, the Volunteer Fire Capacity grant program and the State of New 

Mexico provided funding to the Corrales Fire Department for wildland firefighting gear and equipment for brush 

trucks, such as hoses, appliances, hand tools, and float pumps that work in the nearby river and irrigation ditches. 

This funding is critical for this rural fire department to safely and effectively suppress wildfires when small, 

preventing larger and more expensive conflagrations.

Volunteer Fire Departments in Kentucky: Kentucky has experienced an increase in natural disasters over the 

previous 24 months, with snow and ice, tornados, and flash flooding. These disasters have caused substantial 

infrastructure damage in several communities that help the Kentucky Division of Forestry with wildland firefighting. 

In 2022, Volunteer Fire Capacity grants funded replacement wildland firefighting gear for these affected 

communities, so that they are equipped to support the State with wildland firefighting. Communities used this 

newly-acquired wildland firefighting gear to respond to brush fires this fall, allowing them to safely and effectively 

extinguish the fires.

Forest Legacy

Current Activities

The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) protects critical forest landscapes threatened by land conversion through 

conservation easements and fee-simple purchases in partnership with State agencies and private landowners. The 

program does not add to the Federal estate. Purchase of conservation easements assist landowners to conserve and 

actively manage private working forests. Fee acquisitions by States create or add to State forests, State parks, and 

State wildlife management areas securing public benefits, including recreational access. This locally driven, 

nationally scaled program is a key contributor to the Administration’s goal to conserve 30 percent of America’s 

lands and waters by 2030. 

The FLP is funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act. The LWCF Act was amended in August 

2020 by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) (P.L. 116-152) which provides up to $900 million in mandatory 

funding annually for all Federal and State land acquisition and easement programs across the Forest Service and the 

Department of the Interior. This mandatory funding first became available in 2021. In 2022, FLP received $88.8 

million of new funding and direction to use an additional $6.6 million of recovered prior year funding for new 

projects. 

Conservation across landscapes and ownerships is essential to addressing large-scale conservation issues, including 

watershed protection, wildfire risk mitigation, and protection of at-risk species. Intact working forests provide clean 

drinking water, sequester carbon, protect wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and offer recreation access. Conserving 

working lands supports local, regional, and national economies. To select projects for funding, FLP uses a twotiered competitive process at both the State and national levels. To date, FLP has conserved nearly 3 million acres, 

including almost 55,000 acres in 2022. Historically, FLP leverages more than one dollar for every Federal dollar 

spent.

The Forest Legacy Program received an additional $700 million over 10 years in the Inflation Reduction Act of 

2022 (P.L. 117-169) (IRA). The Forest Service has continued to implement its GAOA staffing strategy and is 

adding additional capacity to meet the additional needs to implement the IRA. The focus on additional capacity is 
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not limited to the Forest Service. The Forest Service is working with State partners to build capacity to pursue and 

acquire interests in lands and to steward them over the long term. Department-level reporting on GAOA 

performance continues through LWCF stakeholder listening sessions with Congressional and other interested 

stakeholders. The Forest Service has also launched a series of partner engagement opportunities to discuss the new 

opportunities with the IRA funds. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress 

Roanoke River in Virginia: A fee acquisition35 completed in 2022 created the Charlotte State Forest and conserves 

nearly 2,500 acres of productive forest, wetlands, and streams. These lands have been sustainably managed for over 

a century for timber resources, high quality wildlife habitat, and water quality. The project includes 13 miles of the 

Roanoke Creek and Wards Ford Creek, two tributaries to the Roanoke River, a Virginia Scenic River. The water 

from this forest flows into Kerr Lake which provides drinking water to 500,000 residents of Virginia and North 

Carolina. As a State Forest the land will be a certified forest managed to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s (SFI)

standards.36 Virginia forests contribute $21 billion annually to the State’s economy, support the employment of 

more than 100,000 Virginians in forestry and related industries, and represent the third leading industry in the 

Commonwealth37. The Charlotte State Forest also creates new recreation opportunities that will contribute to the 

local and state economies.

Kootenai Forestlands (Phase 2) in Montana: A conservation easement38 (CE) project that closed in 2022 conserves 

nearly 30,000 acres of highly productive forest in northwest Montana. This project ensures continued sustainable 

timber management, supports wood product jobs, protects wildlife habitat and key landscape connectivity, and 

secures free, permanent public access to recreation land. The CE is projected to generate more than $6 million of 

economic activity per year. The property currently provides over 25,000 days of recreation through public hunting 

and angling. The CE secured public access for hunting and fishing, as well as hiking, snowmobiling, cross country 

skiing, and other outdoor activities. Outdoor recreation generates $64 million in income for residents of Lincoln 

County. The project lands provide key habitat for 42 Species of Greatest Conservation Need as identified in 

Montana's 2015 “State Wildlife Action Plan” (SWAP), including, but not limited to, westslope cutthroat trout (23 

stream miles), wolverine, peregrine falcon, and western toad.39 The project includes 47 miles of streams and 14 

miles of the Kootenai River, including 14 miles of critical habitat for the threatened bull trout that are found on the 

property. The project complements the 2019 Kootenai Forestlands CE (Phase I), nearly 23,000 acres, as well as the 

FLP 2003-funded 142,000-acre Thompson-Fisher CE and other FLP projects in Montana and Idaho. It shares 16 

miles with the Thompson-Fisher CE and 109 miles of border with the Kootenai National Forest and state land.

Program Evaluations

The Forest Service is working with partners to evaluate the impacts of the program on carbon sequestration and 

climate change resilience. Mechanisms of identifying and evaluating carbon rich project opportunities are being 

explored. The FLP is currently evaluating tools to understand the impact of the program on disadvantaged 

communities. Additionally, the 2024 project evaluation guidance asks states to discuss the impact of projects on 

disadvantaged communities.

Forest Stewardship Program (Working Forest Lands)

Current Activities

Healthy, resilient forests provide timber, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, recreational opportunities, carbon 

sequestration, and many other ecosystem benefits for communities and the Nation. The Forest Stewardship program 

(FSP) is a partnership between the Forest Service and State forestry agencies to help non-industrial private forest 

landowners care for their nearly 300 million acres (nearly 40 percent of the Nation’s forests) and ensure we continue 

to receive these benefits from privately owned forests. In 2022, over 550,000 landowners were informed about tools 

and assistance available to them to support sustainable forest management activities, more than 200,000 landowners 

were assisted by a forester to learn about managing their land, and nearly 2 million acres are under new or updated 

35 Fee acquisition is a land conveyance where a purchaser acquires all rights, title, and interest in a property from a seller or 

owner. The Forest Legacy Program provides funding to States to acquire lands from willing landowners.

36 https://forests.org/standards/ 37 Virginia Department of Forestry (https://dof.virginia.gov/about/) 38 Conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and an eligible entity (governmental or nonprofit 

land trust organization) that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. Forest Legacy funded 

conservation easements are held by State agencies and other units of state government.

39 https://mtfwp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=70ffd149a1674e53bf49d50212fc3ab7
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Forest Stewardship plans, where those landowners know the current condition of their land and actions to maintain 

healthy forests in the future. 

Assistance offered through the program provides landowners with access to multiple services and incentives, such as 

USDA conservation programs, forest certification programs, forest product and ecosystem service markets, and tax 

incentives that can help landowners maintain their forests and the benefits the Nation receives from them. In 2022, 

technical assistance provided through the program qualified landowners for $32 million in cost share assistance 

through the Emergency Forest Restoration Program to reforest private land damaged from hurricanes, tornadoes, 

severe storms, and wildfires. Additionally, this partnership provided technical assistance that allowed qualified 

landowners to access funding from the Conservation Reserve Program for reforestation and forest management 

activities on nearly 250,000 acres. 

The Forest Service maintains longstanding partnerships to coordinate and streamline technical assistance and 

address diverse landowner needs. Program staff collaborate with partners on market development to support 

landowners by expanding market opportunities, including participation in emerging carbon markets or payments for 

forest watershed services. The program supports rural economic development that promotes healthy, climate 

resilient forests that help mitigate the effects of climate change. Landowners with access to markets are more likely 

to keep their forests as forests rather than convert the land to other uses. See the Biomass and Wood Innovations 

Special Exhibit for additional information on wood products, energy, and markets.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress 

Partnerships to ensure equity and inclusion: Education is the first step to establishing a long-term relationship with 

landowners that can ultimately lead to healthier, more sustainable, and resilient forests. Through strategic 

partnerships, the Forest Stewardship Program educates woodland owners to improve management of private forest 

lands for public benefits. In 2022, the FSP supported several partnerships including: 

• Women Owning Woodlands – this network delivered educational programs focused on the needs of 

minority women landowners.

• American Forest Foundation – this partnership improved access to carbon market opportunities for 

minority and disadvantaged landowners. 

• Mano Y Ola – this partnership with the Southern region expanded outreach and education for Hispanic 

landowners.

• Khuba International and Cornell University – these partnerships with the Eastern region engaged and 

supported minority landowners. 

Forest Stewardship Prioritization: In 2021, the program implemented a performance-based allocation system, 

outcomes-based reporting methodology, and prioritized Federal assistance. In 2022, states are using their Federal 

funding in key areas that are relevant to their state goals and forest action plans. New Mexico, for example, 

identified key watersheds to engage with landowners in wildfire risk reduction and forest health activities to 

improve drinking water and biodiversity, and to protect infrastructure. 

Woodland Owner Data: The lack of available data on landowners and their properties is one of the challenges with 

developing landowner programs. The National Woodland Owner Survey (NWOS) provides this data to support 

program implementation. In 2022, the Forest Stewardship Program provided funding to support the new initiative by 

the NWOS to use parcel data from across the United States to develop better estimates at smaller scales 

(counties/watersheds) for private landowner properties, including acres and locations. This data helps to identify 

priority areas, locate educational activities, and ensure forester capacity to meet the need.

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation

Current Activities

The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP) provides financial assistance grants for 

acquiring and establishing working community forests that provide public benefits. CFP was authorized in 2008, and 

the first grants were awarded in 2012. Projects are selected through a competitive process that evaluates community 

benefits, contribution to landscape conservation initiatives, and likelihood of land conversion.

CFP works directly with local governments, Tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations to acquire and establish 

working community forests. These areas provide public benefits such as clean drinking water, wildlife habitat, 

public access and recreation opportunities, economic benefits from timber and non-timber products, and educational 
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opportunities to local communities. In 2022, the agency awarded $5.5 million in 12 new grants to communities in 

nine States, totaling nearly 8,000 acres. Projects included a Tribal project located within the ancestral homelands of 

the Pomo people that will restore Tribal access for traditional ecological knowledge and traditional community uses, 

and the first project in Alaska that will permanently protect over 300 acres of intact coastal forests, salmon streams, 

trails, and habitat for wildlife near downtown Anchorage. Since the first grant in 2012, the program has protected 

nearly 30,000 acres.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Armintrout-Kalamazoo River Community Forest in Michigan: In 2022, the Armintrout-Kalamazoo River 

Community Forest permanently conserved 140 acres of dynamic riverside forestlands in rural Allegan County, 

Michigan, including three miles of river frontage with wild bends and oxbows, and 40 acres of diverse wetland 

communities. Wetland communities provide critical habitat for amphibians, reptiles, fish, waterfowl, declining 

songbird species, such as prothonotary warblers, and filtration for river water and storage for stormwater, improving 

water quality in the area. The forest also contains culturally important plants such as wild rice and animals that are 

important to Tribes. Located near downtown Allegan, the forest establishes free and easy public access for 

recreation including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, paddling, and hands on education opportunities for 

the Allegan Public Schools large rural school system with many low-income students. 

Lakeview Community Forest in Maine: In 2022, the 2,025 acres Lakeview Community Forest tract provides an 

essential expansion to the existing Downeast Lake Community Forest and is a much-needed puzzle piece connecting 

a mosaic of Tribal, State, and private land. The Lakeville Community Forest Tract will serve new residents due to its 

proximity to major population centers and location on Lower Sysladobsis Lake, ranked as a Resource Class 1A Lake 

by the State of Maine for its multiple outstanding natural values. Four-season recreation opportunities will be 

expanded in support of the area’s largest industry (outdoor recreation) to include hunting and fishing in addition to 

hiking, wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking on over 8 miles of interior wood roads. Located 

adjacent to the land owned by the Penobscot Indian Nation and Passamaquoddy Tribe, both Tribes are engaged and 

support the acquisition.

Program Evaluations

The Forest Service is using new data sets to analyze the benefits CFP projects provide to disadvantaged 

communities and contribute to climate resilience when reviewing projects. The project review panel considered the 

climate resiliency score, using The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient Land Mapping Tools and the Center for Disease 

Control Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) for the location of each proposed project when reviewing projects. Three 

of the selected projects were identified as highly value for resilience to climate change and five were identified as 

having high biodiversity value using The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient Lands Mapping Tool. Nine of the projects 

align to objectives of Executive Order 13985 to support disadvantaged communities. The Forest Service has active 

agreements in place with the First Nations Development Institute and The Trust for Public Land to increase outreach 

to Tribes and to provide technical assistance to help Tribes successfully apply to the program. The Pomo Tribe’s 

project received support from both partnerships.

Urban and Community Forestry

Current Activities

The Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) program is the only dedicated urban forest program in the Federal 

government to conserve, protect, and enhance trees across various landownership types. UCF is a technical, 

financial, and educational assistance program, delivering nature-based solutions for climate and environmental 

justice, and green jobs and training where more than 84 percent of Americans live, work, and play. The program is 

delivered in partnership with all 50 States, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and affiliated Pacific Island 

Nations, more than 30 national partners, and more than 150 community tree groups.

In 2022, the program assisted more than 7,447 communities to better manage their trees to produce public benefits. 

With limited exceptions, the program requires a 1:1 match to Federal funds, but this value is often far exceeded. 

According to a 2021 study by the Arbor Day Foundation, urban and community trees provide a $73 billion benefit to 

society from environmental benefits derived from urban tree canopy which shades and cools extreme heat radiated 

from built urban infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, and buildings, sequesters carbon, filters out harmful air 

pollutants, and reduces peak stormwater runoff in storm events.40

40 Economics of Urban Forestry in the United States (arborday.org).
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Historic funding levels of $1.5 billion provided to the Urban and Community Forestry Program through the Inflation 

Reduction Act (IRA) affords unparalleled opportunities for States and partner organizations to assist disadvantaged 

communities across our nation and apply nature-based solutions to chronic and emergent economic, social, and 

environmental challenges. As a Justice40 covered program, IRA funding directed to disadvantaged and underserved 

communities experiencing low urban tree canopy, extreme heat, severe flooding, and limited awareness or access to 

green job workforce opportunities will become more resilient to climate change, benefit from the cooling effects of 

increased urban tree canopy and attain broadened exposure and access to environmental career pathways.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Addressing Urban Forest Health: In 2022, the UCF appropriation included $4 million to restore urban forests due to 

catastrophic losses from Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and build climate change resiliency. In partnership with the 

National Association of State Foresters (NASF) Urban Forestry Committee, the State Urban Forest Resilience 

Program (SUFR) competitively awarded funds to 11 recipients in 11 States. Selected projects will leverage over $4 

million in matching funds to help communities respond to and recover from infestations. Customer service and 

accountability processes were built into the design of the competitive process, with project monitoring schedules, a 

process improvement review, and a new online portal for project proposal submissions in support of Executive 

Order 14058, Transforming Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government and the 

President’s Management Agenda priority to deliver excellent, equitable, and secure Federal services for 

improvement of customer experience measurement and modernization. 

Delivering an Equitable Urban & Community Forestry Program: UCF is a Justice 40 covered program and has an 

active USDA Equity Action Plan. In 2022, UCF conducted equity and inclusion centered events and peer-to-peer 

learning opportunities between stakeholders through conferences, workshops, organized town halls and roundtables. 

UCF invited non-traditional stakeholder groups to share feedback, challenges and requests for more inclusive urban 

forests and more equitable access to program resources. More than 2,500 people attended these community 

engagement events. 

Program Evaluations

In 2021, the National UCF program established a national Federal-State working group of UCF program managers 

and coordinators to assess and update national performance definitions on the required Community Accomplishment 

Reporting System (CARS) database. These updates were approved by the Forest Service and National Association 

of State Foresters (NASF) and were incorporated into National UCF program guidance documents and allocation 

methodology language. In 2022, a UCF CARS Questions Team was established to answer peer questions and 

interpret definitions. The team has streamlined customer service and technical assistance inquiry responses for UCF 

program elements, assistance, and volunteer hours. 

Forest Resource Information and Analysis 

Current Activities

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103) provided $29,955,500 for congressionally directed 

spending in this program. The congressionally directed spending, also known as community project funding, 

included 39 projects in 17 States. As of January 15, 2023, 89 percent of the total funding received has been awarded 

to project sponsors. These projects take advantage of the various State, Private, and Tribal Forestry authorities and 

will benefit communities through fuels and forest health treatments, watershed protection, and economic 

development. 

International Programs and Trade Compliance

Current Activities

Forest Service International Programs and Trade Compliance promotes sustainable forest management globally and 

brings important technologies and innovations back to the United States. The program represents the interests of the 

entire U.S. forestry community and its stakeholders through international engagement. Effective forest management 

at the global level is necessary to protect U.S. trade interests, such as the ability of domestic timber producers to 

compete in domestic and global markets, ensure the sustainability of critical domestic and global natural resources, 

and to support climate change mitigation and climate resilience. 

International Programs provide technical assistance to other countries to combat illegal logging, which costs the 

United States forest products industry $1 billion annually in lost export opportunities and depressed wood prices. 

International Programs and Trade Compliance also improves the management of forest invasive species, which 

annually cause $4.2 billion in loss and damage in the forest products industry, by supporting collaborative work to 
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control and prevent invasions. International Programs and Trade Compliance also works to prevent key migratory 

species from becoming listed under the Endangered Species Act, and decreases the number of species currently 

listed, by improving habitats outside of the United States. International Programs and Trade Compliance also 

supports the United States Special Envoy for Climate priorities through technical assistance. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress 

Combatting Illegal Logging: In 2022, International Programs and Trade Compliance invested about $4 million 

supporting enforcement of the Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 3371-3378), expanding the scope and operation of the Wood 

Identification and Screening Center, and initiated new partnerships and provided technical assistance to timberproducing countries for combatting illegal logging and improving forest governance. Work included: 

• Establishing two new laboratories for wood identification and screening in Peru and Vietnam, and gaining 

counterpart commitments for additional laboratories in Gabon, Mexico, Namibia, and India.

• Supporting the Department of Homeland Security and USDA APHIS through forensic analysis of 

suspected illegal timber imports for 12 investigations.

 

Protecting the United States against Invasive Species: International Programs and Trade Compliance invested about 

$2 million in 2022 for work to identify and monitor pest and pathogen damage on North American trees. Work 

included: 

• Monitoring 10 newly established sentinel forest gardens (trees planted outside of their native range to 

monitor vulnerability to insects and pathogens) in Asia, Europe, and the United States, and monitoring

mature trees in botanic gardens in Europe and South America. Information gathered from these sites will 

provide the United States with a head start on identification and response to new damaging non-native 

species. 

• Partnering with USDA Agricultural Research Service on two highly invasive plants (cogongrass (Imperata 

cylindrica) and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)) to identify and test biocontrol agents that could reduce 

invasive grass populations and restore native habitat.

 

Supporting Climate Change Mitigation and Resiliency: International Programs and Trade Compliance invested 

about $3 million in 2022 to reduce emissions from deforestation, degradation, and land use change, and to promote 

climate-resilient natural resource management. Work included:

• Partnering with the Polar Geospatial Center (PGC) at the University of Minnesota for programs focused on 

mangrove monitoring, rangeland mapping, and land use change detection.

• Working with the Special Envoy for Climate to support Administration priorities overseas, including 25 

new partnerships to promote climate action on the ground with a focus on disadvantaged communities most 

at risk from climate change.

• Leading interagency coordination on technical assistance for the National Security Council’s Forest 

Climate Strategy.
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NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT

Table FS-25. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars)

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $1,974,388,000

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... +251,892,000

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 2,226,280,000

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

The appropriations language follows (new language underscored; deleted matter enclosed in brackets):

1 National Forest System

2 For necessary expenses of the Forest Service, not otherwise provided for, for management, protection, improvement, 

3 and utilization of the National Forest System, [and for hazardous fuels management on or adjacent to such lands, 

4 $1,974,388,000]$2,226,280,000, to remain available through September 30, [2026]2027: Provided, That of the 

5 funds provided, [$32,000,000]$80,000,000 shall be deposited in the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration 

6 Fund for ecological restoration treatments as authorized by 16 U.S.C. 7303(f): Provided further, That [for the funds 

7 provided in the preceding proviso, section 4003(d)(3)(A) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 

8 U.S.C. 7303(d)(3)(A)) shall be applied by substituting "20" for "10" and section 4003(d)(3)(B) of the Omnibus 

9 Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(d)(3)(B)) shall be applied by substituting "4" for "2": 

10 Provided further, That] of the funds provided, [$40,000,000 ]$41,600,000 shall be for forest products, of which 

11 $1,600,000 shall be available for the hire and purchase of zero emission passenger motor vehicles and supporting 

12 charging or fueling infrastructure: Provided further, That [of the funds provided, $207,000,000 shall be]any 

13 unobligated balances for hazardous fuels management [activities, of which not to exceed $20,000,000 may be used 

14 to make grants, using any authorities available to the Forest Service under the "State and Private Forestry" 

15 appropriation, for the purpose of creating incentives for increased use of biomass from National Forest System 

16 lands: Provided further, That $20,000,000 may be used by the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into procurement 

17 contracts or cooperative agreements or to issue grants for hazardous fuels management activities, and for training or 

18 monitoring associated with such hazardous fuels management activities on Federal land, or on non-Federal land if 

19 the Secretary determines such activities benefit resources on Federal land: Provided further, That funds made 

20 available to implement the Community Forest Restoration Act, Public Law 106–393, title VI, shall be available for 

21 use on non-Federal lands in accordance with authorities made available to the Forest Service under the "State and 

22 Private Forestry" appropriation] may be transferred to the "Wildland Fire Management" account: Provided further, 

23 That of the funds provided for recreation, heritage, and wilderness, $1,600,000 shall be available for the hire and 

24 purchase of zero emission passenger motor vehicles and supporting charging or fueling infrastructure: Provided 

25 further, That notwithstanding section 33 of the Bankhead Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1012), the Secretary of 

26 Agriculture, in calculating a fee for grazing on a National Grassland, may provide a credit of up to 50 percent of the 

27 calculated fee to a Grazing Association or direct permittee for a conservation practice approved by the Secretary in 

28 advance of the fiscal year in which the cost of the conservation practice is incurred, and that the amount credited 

29 shall remain available to the Grazing Association or the direct permittee, as appropriate, in the fiscal year in which 

30 the credit is made and each fiscal year thereafter for use on the project for conservation practices approved by the 

31 Secretary: Provided further, That funds appropriated to this account shall be available for the base salary and 

32 expenses of employees that carry out the functions funded by the "Capital Improvement and Maintenance" account, 

33 the "Range Betterment Fund" account, and the "Management of National Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses" 

34 account. 

35 [NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM] 

36 [For an additional amount for "National Forest System", $210,000,000, to remain available until expended, for 

37 necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and 

38 other natural disasters, including for high priority post wildfire restoration for watershed protection, public access 

39 and critical habitat, hazardous fuels mitigation for community protection, and burned area recovery. ]

Change Description
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The first change (line 3 of paragraph 1) deletes language for hazardous fuels management.

The second change (line 7 of paragraph 1) adds language for forest products. 

The third change (line 7 through 11 of paragraph 1) deletes language referencing the Omnibus Public Land 

Management Act of 2009.

The fourth change (line 11 paragraph 1) adds language for any balances for hazardous fuels management. 

The fifth change (lines 14 and 15 of paragraph 1) adds language may be transferred to the Wildland Fire 

Management account in reference to hazardous fuel management balances. 

The sixth change (lines 15 through 21 of paragraph 1) deletes language associated with State and Private Forestry 

authorities associated with hazardous fuels funds. 

The seventh change (lines 35 through 40, paragraph 2) deletes language associated with the Disaster Relief 

Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023. 
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PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-26. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Discretionary Appropriations:

Land Management Planning, Assessment, 

and Monitoring...................................... $14,824 36 $17,000 - $17,000 - $22,000 - +$5,000 - (1)

Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness...... 31,593 62 38,000 - 55,000 - 94,367 - +39,367 - (2)

Hazardous Fuelsa ...................................... 179,142 95 187,388 - 207,000 - - - -207,000 - (3)

Grazing Management............................... 3,788 14 5,800 - 6,300 - 7,800 - +1,500 - (4)

Forest Products......................................... 35,052 112 38,000 - 40,000 - 41,600 - +1,600 - (5)

Vegetation and Watershed Management.. 28,630 45 30,000 - 32,000 - 50,500 - +18,500 - (6)

Wildlife and Fish Habitat Management ... 20,696 38 22,000 - 24,000 - 29,000 - +5,000 - (7)

Collaborative Forest Landscape 

Restoration Fund ................................... 13,596 8 28,000 - 32,000 - 80,000 - +48,000 - (8)

Minerals and Geology Management ........ 10,376 18 14,000 - 14,500 - 45,000 - +30,500 - (9)

Landownership Management (Land Use 

Authorization and Access) .................... 3,798 19 7,500 - 8,000 - 21,500 - +13,500 - (10)

Law Enforcement Operations................... 19,505 22 19,505 - 19,505 - 24,005 - +4,500 - (11)

Burned Area Rehabilitation...................... - - - - - - 56,000 - +56,000 - (12)

Salaries and Expenses.............................. 1,409,352 12,697 1,459,352 13,298 1,519,083 13,362 1,754,508 14,654 +235,425 +1,292 (13)

Subtotal, Discretionary Appropriations. 1,770,352 13,166 1,866,545 13,298 1,974,388 13,362 2,226,280 14,654 +251,892 +1,292

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-

58)b:

Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness 

(BIL)...................................................... - - 37,473 - - - - - - - 

Grazing Management (BIL)..................... - - 5,263 - 5,974 - 5,974 - - - 

Hazardous Fuels (BIL)............................. - - 107,943 - 153,053 - 153,053 - - - 

Forest Products (BIL)............................... - - 110,445 - 86,885 - 86,885 - - - 

Vegetation and Watershed Management 

(BIL)...................................................... - - 76,529 - 65,787 - 65,787 - - - 

Collaborative Forest Landscape 

Restoration Fund (BIL)......................... - - 14,108 - 11,525 - 11,525 - - - 

Minerals and Geology Management 

(BIL)...................................................... - - 5,764 - 8,481 - 8,481 - - - 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-82 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Byproducts (BIL)..................................... - - 10,741 - 48,101 - 48,101 - - - 

Orphaned Wells (BIL).............................. - - 5,683 - - - - - - - 

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) .................... - - 122,210 273 68,000 303 68,000 726 - +423 

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. - - 496,159 273 447,806 303 447,806 726 - +423

Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169):

Inflation Reduction Act............................ - - 350,000 - - - - - - - 

Subtotal, Inflation Reduction Act.......... - - 350,000 - - - - - - -

Supplemental Appropriations:

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 115-

123)c ...................................................... - 4 - 8 - 4 - 3 - -1

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-

20)d ........................................................ - 7 - 9 - 60 - 40 - -20

Coronavirus Relief Appropriations (P.L. 

116-136)e ............................................... - 54 - 3 - 3 - 2 - -1

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-

43)f......................................................... - - 710,000 10 - 7 - 5 - -2

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-

328)g ...................................................... - - - - 210,000 10 - 15 -210,000 +5

Subtotal, Supplemental Appropriations. - 65 710,000 30 210,000 84 - 65 -210,000 -19

Total, Adjusted Appropriations................... 1,770,352 13,231 3,422,704 13,601 2,632,194 13,749 2,674,086 15,445 +41,892 +1,273

Add back:

Transfers In and Out................................. 16,517 - 251,314 - 82,953 - 80,953 - -2,000 -

Total, Appropriations h............................. 1,786,869 13,231 3,674,018 13,601 2,715,147 13,749 2,755,039 15,445 +39,892 +1,273

Transfers In:

Communication Site Administration........ - - - - - - 2,000 - +2,000 -

Department of the Interior........................ - - 5,683 - - - - - - -

Capital Improvement and Maintenance ... - - - - 7,400 - 7,400 - - -

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry............ - - - - 3,200 3,200 - - -

Total, Transfers In....................................... - - 5,683 - 10,600 - 12,600 - +2,000 -

Transfers Out:

Department of the Interior........................ -849 - -7,499 - - - - - - -

Forest Service Operations........................ -15,668 - -137,527 - -30,791 - -30,791 - - -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-83 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Department of Commerce ........................ - - -1,501 - - - - - - -

Forest and Rangeland Research ............... - - -54,980 - -29,450 - -29,450 - - -

Wildland Fire Management...................... - - -30,663 - -30,663 - -30,663 - - -

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry............ - - -21,153 - - - - - - -

Office of Inspector General...................... - - -3,674 - -2,649 - -2,649 - - -

Total, Transfers Out.................................... -16,517 - -256,997 - -93,553 - -93,553 - - -

Recoveries, Other .................................... 52,133 - 27,972 - 33,276 - 32,530 - -746 -

Balance Available, SOY .......................... 155,008 - 134,870 - 1,288,908 - 1,289,673 - +765 -

Total Available .......................................... 1,977,493 13,231 3,585,546 13,601 3,954,378 13,749 3,996,289 15,445 +43,911 +1,273

Bal. Available, EOY ................................ -134,870 - -1,288,908 - -1,289,673 - -888,538 - +401,135 -

Total Obligations....................................... 1,842,623 13,231 2,278,933 13,601 2,664,705 13,749 3,107,751 15,445 +443,046 +1,696

a The Hazardous Fuels program will be shifted from National Forest System to Wildland Fire Management beginning in fiscal year 2024. 

b The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) provided $734,800,000 in fiscal year 2022 and provides advance appropriations of $529,800,000 each year from fiscal years 

2023 through 2026 not including transfers. 

c P.L. 115-123 provided $20,652,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. 

d P.L. 116-20 provided $84,960,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, and the calendar year 2018 wildfires. 

e P.L. 116-136 provided $34,000,000 to prepare, prevent, and respond to coronavirus. Budget authority expired effective October 1, 2021. 

f P.L. 117-43 provided $710,000,000 for necessary expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred between calendar years 2019 through 2021. 

g P.L. 117-328 provided $210 million for necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.

h The discrepancy between the project statement and Max schedule X is reimbursable funds.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-84 

Table FS-27. Obligations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Discretionary Obligations:

Integrated Resource Restoration Pilot......................... $608 - -$22 - $737 - $340 - -$397 -

Land Management Planning, Assessment, and 

Monitoring................................................................ 20,416 36 18,982 - 19,355 - 23,660 - +4,305 -

Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness......................... 40,866 62 48,318 - 56,590 - 93,758 - +37,168 -

Hazardous Fuelsa ......................................................... 185,673 95 184,453 - 212,311 - 24,773 - -187,538 -

Grazing Management.................................................. 5,503 14 5,639 - 8,108 - 8,344 - +236 -

Forest Products............................................................ 39,405 112 39,887 - 43,296 - 44,960 - +1,664 -

Vegetation and Watershed Management..................... 29,768 45 36,673 - 34,334 - 50,700 - +16,366 -

Wildlife and Fish Habitat Management ...................... 21,227 38 25,385 - 25,346 - 30,115 - +4,769 -

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund...... 18,381 8 22,636 - 33,319 - 71,834 - +38,515 -

Minerals and Geology Management ........................... 12,659 18 14,255 - 14,595 - 39,195 - +24,600 -

Landownership Management (Land Use 

Authorization and Access) ....................................... 6,636 19 6,906 - 8,394 - 20,506 - +12,112 -

Law Enforcement Operations...................................... 20,012 22 22,290 - 22,024 - 25,995 - +3,971 -

National Forestry System – Other............................... 10,985 - 100 - 168 - 231 - +63 -

Burned Area Rehabilitation......................................... - - - - - - 54,320 - +54,320 -

Communication Site Administration........................... - - - - - - 1,000 - +1,000 -

Salaries and Expenses................................................. 1,400,610 12,697 1,448,045 13,298 1,521,933 13,362 1,755,942 14,654 +234,009 +1,292

Subtotal, Discretionary Obligations ......................... 1,812,749 13,166 1,873,547 13,298 2,000,510 13,362 2,245,673 14,654 +245,163 +1,292

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)b:

Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness (BIL)............... - - 6,825 - 5,582 - 18,800 - +13,218 -

Grazing Management (BIL)........................................ - - 859 - 1,694 - 10,994 - +9,300 -

Hazardous Fuels (BIL)................................................ - - 60,977 - 108,923 - 172,312 - +63,389 -

Forest Products (BIL).................................................. - - 53,342 - 69,067 - 119,879 - +50,812 -

Vegetation and Watershed Management (BIL)........... - - 23,760 - 35,779 - 106,451 - +70,672 -

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund 

(BIL)......................................................................... - - 3,102 - 4,222 - 19,762 - +15,540 -

Minerals and Geology Management (BIL) ................. - - 4,571 - 7,672 - 7,862 - +190 -

Byproducts (BIL)........................................................ - - - - 26,815 - 34,680 - +7,865 -

Orphaned Wells (BIL)................................................. - - - - 3,637 - 1,535 - -2,102 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-85 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ....................................... - - 39,805 273 46,265 303 116,565 726 +70,300 +423

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ...................... - - 193,241 273 309,656 303 608,840 726 +299,184 +423

Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169):

Inflation Reduction Act............................................... - - - - 126,850 - 91,580 - -35,270 -

Subtotal, Inflation Reduction Act............................. - - - - 126,850 - 91,580 - -35,270 -

Supplemental Obligations:

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 115-123)c .......... 4,135 4 2,557 8 1,240 4 880 3 -360 -1

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-20)d ............ 8,471 7 2,749 9 19,304 60 13,706 40 -5,598 -20

Coronavirus Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-136)e.... 17,268 54 225 3 263 3 186 2 -77 -1

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-43)f ............ - - 206,614 10 145,982 7 103,647 5 -42,335 -2

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-328)g .......... - - - - 60,900 10 43,239 15 -17,661 +5

Subtotal, Supplemental Obligations......................... 29,874 65 212,145 30 227,689 84 161,658 65 -66,031 -19

Total Obligations.......................................................... 1,842,623 13,231 2,278,933 13,601 2,664,705 13,749 3,107,751 15,445 +443,046 +1,696

Balances Available, EOY:

Integrated Resource Restoration Pilot......................... 130 - 22 - 23 - 11 - -12 -

Land Management Planning, Assessment, and 

Monitoring................................................................ 4,944 - 3,537 - 4,822 - 5,895 - +1,073 -

Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness......................... 3,042 - 2,863 - 4,952 - 8,204 - +3,252 -

Hazardous Fuelsa ......................................................... 7,569 - 15,103 - 19,356 - 2,258 - -17,098 -

Grazing Management.................................................. -17 - 1,860 - 764 - 786 - +22 -

Forest Products............................................................ 5,872 - 2,438 - 3,552 - 3,688 - +136 -

Vegetation and Watershed Management..................... 6,215 - 3,683 - 4,018 - 5,933 - +1,915 -

Wildlife and Fish Habitat Management ...................... 3,941 - 1,191 - 1,511 - 1,795 - +284 -

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund...... 2,472 - 7,593 - 7,541 - 16,258 - +8,717 -

Minerals and Geology Management ........................... 5,714 - 2,822 - 3,925 - 10,540 - +6,615 -

Landownership Management (Land Use 

Authorization and Access) ....................................... 1,820 - 579 - 1,099 - 2,685 - +1,586 -

Law Enforcement Operations...................................... 5,426 - 1,971 - 2,463 - 2,907 - +444 -

National Forestry System – Other............................... 2,556 - 9,010 - 9,469 - 13,036 - +3,567 -

Burned Area Rehabilitation......................................... - - - - - - 1,680 - +1,680 -

Communication Site Administration........................... - - - - - - 1,000 - +1,000 -

Salaries and Expenses................................................. 8,742 - 12,104 - 12,721 - 14,677 - +1,956 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-86 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness (BIL)............... - - 30,648 - 25,066 - 6,266 - -18,800 -

Grazing Management (BIL)........................................ - - 4,404 - 8,684 - 3,664 - -5,020 -

Hazardous Fuels (BIL)................................................ - - 46,967 - 115,823 - 126,323 - +10,500 -

Forest Products (BIL).................................................. - - 57,103 - 73,937 - 39,959 - -33,978 -

Vegetation and Watershed Management (BIL)........... - - 52,769 - 79,462 - 35,483 - -43,979 -

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund 

(BIL)......................................................................... - - 7,833 - 14,980 - 6,587 - -8,393 -

Minerals and Geology Management (BIL) ................. - - 1,193 - 2,002 - 2,621 - +619 -

Byproducts (BIL)........................................................ - - 10,741 - 15,083 - 11,560 - -3,523 -

Orphaned Wells (BIL)................................................. - - 5,683 - 2,046 - 511 - -1,535 -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ....................................... - - 82,405 - 95,779 - 38,855 - -56,924 -

Inflation Reduction Act............................................... - - 350,000 - 223,150 - 131,570 - -91,580 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 115-123)c .......... 6,742 - 4,276 - 3,036 - 2,156 - -880 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-20)d ............ 68,872 - 66,567 - 47,263 - 33,557 - -13,706 -

Coronavirus Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-136)e.... 830 - 157 - 643 - 457 - -186 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-43)f ............ - - 503,386 - 357,403 - 251,756 - -105,647 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-328)g .......... - - - - 149,100 - 105,860 - -43,240 -

Total, Balances Available, EOY.................................... 134,870 - 1,288,908 - 1,289,673 - 888,538 - -401,135 -

Total Available ............................................................. 1,977,493 13,231 3,567,841 13,601 3,954,378 13,749 3,996,289 15,445 +41,911 +1,696

Less:

Total Transfers In........................................................ - - -5,683 - -10,600 - -12,600 - -2,000 -

Total Transfers Out ..................................................... 16,517 - 256,997 - 93,553 - 93,553 - - -

Recoveries, Other ....................................................... -52,133 - -27,972 - -33,276 - -32,530 - +746 -

Balance Available, SOY ............................................. -155,008 - -134,870 - -1,288,908 - -1,289,673 - -765 -

Total Appropriation..................................................... 1,786,869 13,231 3,656,313 13,601 2,715,147 13,749 2,755,039 15,445 +39,892 +1,696

a The Hazardous Fuels program will be shifted from National Forest System to Wildland Fire Management beginning in fiscal year 2024. 

b The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) provided $734,800,000 in fiscal year 2022 and provides advance appropriations of $529,800,000 each year from fiscal years 

2023 through 2026 not including transfers. 

c P.L. 115-123 provided $20,652,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. 

d P.L. 116-20 provided $84,960,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, and the calendar year 2018 wildfires. 

e P.L. 116-136 provided $34,000,000 to prepare, prevent, and respond to coronavirus. Budget authority expired effective October 1, 2021. 

f P.L. 117-43 provided $710,000,000 for necessary expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred between calendar years 2019 through 2021. 

g P.L. 117-328 provided $210 million for necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-87 

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES

The numbers and letters of the following listing relates to values in the Change (Chg) Key column of the Project 

Statement.

Salaries and Expenses:

The National Forest System (NFS) manages over 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. By conserving 

forests and grasslands, the agency provides sustainable timber products and conserves air quality, water, plants, 

wildlife, and fisheries. The agency facilitates mining, timber, restoration projects, and a vast array of recreational 

opportunities to millions of Americans, including hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking. These activities create jobs 

and generate economic development in rural communities. The agency also partners with local communities and 

other agencies to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildland fires to homes, watersheds, habitat and community 

infrastructure. 

(8) An increase of $235,425,000 and an increase of 1,292 FTEs ($1,519,085 in 2023 enacted). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $75,613,000 for 2024 Pay. This increase will support the annualization of the 2023 4.6 

percent Cost of Living pay increase and the 2024 5.2 percent Cost of Living pay increase. If this funding is 

not provided, it would impact the level of assistance the agency provides to partners and other agencies. 

B) An increase of $159,812,000 and an increase of 1,292 FTEs. This increase will also support Forest 

Service’s ability to complete prerequisite projects and activities in support of programs, projects, and 

activities included in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Public Law 117-58) that fund contract administration 

for timber and small forest product sales, road maintenance, recreation services, and additional on-groundpresence to maintain public safety for our national forests, grasslands, and trail and recreation 

infrastructure. These include land line surveys, reality management, cadastral and engineering services. 

This increase may also assist Forest Service’s ability to adequately staff positions that support Great 

American Outdoors Act (Public Law 116-152) programs, which include engineering, recreation planning, 

patrol, service technicians, grants and agreement specialists. In 2024, the agency anticipates supporting 

additional FTEs to facilitate timely, effective environmental review, and permitting for large infrastructure 

projects.

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration: 

The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program provides funding for long-term41 projects that 

encourage collaborative, science-based ecosystem restoration of priority forest landscapes. CFLR projects support 

ecological, economic, and social sustainability; foster partnerships between local, national, and private groups; 

reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire; provide outputs that demonstrate how various ecological restoration 

techniques achieve ecological and watershed health objectives; and encourage utilization of forest restoration 

byproducts that benefit local rural communities and improve forest health. 

Since its establishment in 2009, CFLR has funded 30 projects in 15 states. These projects include treatments that 

have reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfires on more than 4.5 million acres; established 224,000 acres of forest 

vegetation through planting, seeding, and natural regeneration; reduced or eradicated invasive plants across 210,000 

acres; and restored more than 1,760 miles of stream habitat. Additionally, since 2009, CFLR has supported an 

average of 5,440 jobs annually and created $2 billion in local labor income; partnered with more than 420 

organizations in local collaborative work, alongside landowners and interested individuals; and has drawn $470 

million42 in partner funding and in-kind contributions. 

Implementing CFLR has advanced the America the Beautiful Initiative, by emphasizing strategic wildfire risk 

reduction. One of the key purposes of CFLR program – one where the Program has seen successes through

increasing the scale of treatment across the landscape – is reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire. While the 

41 Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration projects selected by the Secretary are funded for 10 years. 42 Every dollar of Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration investment draws $1.80 in partner funding and in-kind 

contributions.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-88 

project landscapes represent 11 percent of the treatable National Forest System acres, between 2013-2019, they 

contributed 19 percent of the agency's overall hazardous fuels reduction accomplishments.

In 2024, funding will be used to advance proposed outcomes across 15 active CFLR program projects, including 

implementing hazardous fuels treatments, reforestation and revegetation, aquatic restoration, habitat improvements, 

and trail improvements.

(9) An increase of $48,000,000 ($32,000,000 in 2023 enacted). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $48,000,000 would allow continued support for active CFLRP projects and allow for 

onboarding of new CFLRP projects. This funding will allow the Forest Service to fund seven CFLRP 

projects that are approved and not-yet-funded. Additional proposals selected through the current call for 

proposals could also be funded.

Land Management Planning, Assessment, and Monitoring:

Land Management Planning, Assessment, and Monitoring develops, revises, and maintains land management plans 

for 175 national forest system units, including 154 national forests, 20 national grasslands, and one prairie. National 

Forest System lands provide resources for public use including timber, recreation, fish, forage, wildlife, minerals, 

water, and specialty products. Healthy forest ecosystems help address the wildfire crisis; sequester carbon; provide 

clean air and water; reduce the effects of drought and floods; maintain fertile soils; provide wildlife habitat; and 

maintain biodiversity. The Forest Service land management program guides the stewardship of National Forest 

System lands and supports a continuous cycle of assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, and adjustments 

based on the latest scientific information. Currently, the Forest Service maintains 128 land management plans across 

the 175 national forest system units. Of those, 11 have been revised under the 2012 Planning Rule and 99 plans are 

older than 15 years. The Forest Service has studied challenges to efficiently and effectively revising land 

management plans and is now standing up a new organization – the Planning Service Organization – to address the 

backlog of out-of-date plans. The new Planning Service Organization will provide dedicated staff and resources to 

expedite plan revision timeframes and increase the number of concurrent plan revision efforts.

Funding in 2024 will support the Planning Service Organization to help reduce the backlog of out-of-date land 

management plans. Seven plan revisions will start in 2024 and activities to prepare to start plan revision will be 

funded for 26 additional revision efforts in 2025-2027. This funding will be used to support contracts, grants and 

agreements, supplies and equipment in support of agency staff. 

During 2022, there were 19 land management plans under revision, and three – Carson, Cibola, and Santa Fe 

National Forests – completed plan revision. In 2023, the Forest Service will start five revisions on the Salmon, Lolo, 

Wallowa-Whitman, Malheur, and Umatilla National Forests and will continue to expand plan revision across the 

agency through the new Planning Service Organization.

Table FS-28. Forest Service land management plans under revision and their status at the end of 2022

Region State Planning Unit Status at the end of 2022

Northern ID Nez Perce- Clearwater National Forest In revision

Northern MT Lolo National Forest Preparing to begin revision in 2023

Rocky Mountain CO Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison 

National Forest

In revision

Rocky Mountain SD, WY Black Hills National Forest In revision

Southwest AZ Tonto National Forest In revision 

Southwest NM Carson National Forest Completed revision in July 2022

Southwest NM Cibola National Forest Completed revision in July 2022

Southwest NM Gila National Forest In revision

Southwest NM Lincoln National Forest In revision

Southwest NM Santa Fe National Forest Completed revision in July 2022

Intermountain UT, WY Ashley National Forest In revision
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-89 

Region State Planning Unit Status at the end of 2022

Intermountain ID Salmon National Forest43 Preparing to begin revision in 2023

Intermountain UT Manti-La Sal National Forest In revision

Pacific Southwest CA Sequoia National Forest In revision

Pacific Southwest CA Sierra National Forest In revision

Pacific Northwest OR Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Preparing to begin revision in 2023

Pacific Northwest OR Malheur National Forest Preparing to begin revision in 2023

Pacific Northwest OR, WA Umatilla National Forest Preparing to begin revision in 2023

Southern NC Nantahala Pisgah National Forest44 In revision

The 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR Part 219), describes the current process for development and revision of land 

management plans along with required content. Improvements are underway on common format and required 

content for Biennial Monitoring and Evaluation Reports45 required under the 2012 Planning Rule including the use 

of Story Maps. Story Maps were launched in 2023 to allow the tracking of monitoring reports across all units which 

will allow stakeholders and partners access for their own uses. Forest Service staff are also working to develop highquality menus of monitoring questions and monitoring protocols that are available to all units. Introduction of these 

menus should lead to greater consistency among units and increase the ability to synthesize information across 

multiple units or regions.

Funding for planning and monitoring would support all program areas across the National Forest System to help 

further the Administration’s goal of pursuing nature-based climate solutions. Protecting and restoring National 

Forest ecosystems will provide enhanced carbon sequestration and storage and encourage ecosystem and human 

community resilience. Investments are needed to provide support and guidance to the field organization to make 

monitoring information more useful to responsible officials and the public.

(1) An increase of $5,000,000 ($17,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $5,000,000 would support the agency’s new business model for planning (Planning 

Service Organization) that will work to reduce the plan revision backlog. The additional funding would 

support fully operationalizing the Planning Service Organization and starting 38 new plan revision efforts 

by 2027. Managing lands requires a continuous cycle of assessing, planning, implementing, monitoring, 

and adjusting programs and projects based on the latest scientific information. Throughout the National 

Forest system, over 99 land management plans are over 15 years old and in need of amendment or 

revision. This program would use $3,000,000 in program funds to support collaborative efforts with 

Tribes and underserved communities across the Nation, in the assessing, planning, implementing, 

monitoring, and adjusting of programs and projects in ways that are responsive to communities, and in 

line with the forthcoming the USDA Forest Service Tribal Relations Action Plan on Tribal Consultation 

and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships and the Equity Action Plan. This could include 

continued agency-wide work in policy, training, engagement, practice, consultation, collaboration and 

accountability.

Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness:

The recreation program manages recreation sites, including campgrounds and day-use areas; and develops and 

maintains recreational special use authorizations for occupancy, use, rights, and privileges. The heritage program 

manages cultural resources for public use, enjoyment, and education; and protects cultural resources from 

vandalism, theft, fire, and other threats. The Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers programs support stewardship 

of the congressionally designated areas that the Forest Service is responsible within the National Wilderness 

Preservation System and National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

43 Salmon National Forest is the proclaimed unit, the administrative unit is the Salmon Challis National Forest 44 Nantahala Pisgah is the proclaimed unit, the administrative unit is the National Forests in North Carolina 45 Report that documents whether the land management plan or monitoring program needs to be changed based on new 

information. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-II/part-219 
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Total visitors to the National Forests and Grasslands were an estimated 156,000,000 in 202146. Recreating visitors 

spent over $10 billion in areas around National Forest System lands, contributing about $12.5 billion to the U.S. 

economy, and sustaining around 154,000 full-and part-time jobs. Current visitors are pleased with the recreation 

experience provided by the National Forest System, with 96 percent feeling satisfied with their overall recreation 

experience in 2021. Visitation to National Forests over these years in a pandemic has added immeasurable value to 

the wellbeing of Americans through their connections to nature.

Table FS-29. Estimated number of visits to National Forest System lands for each Forest Service Region in 2021.

(*2022 Data will be updated Spring of 2023.)

Region National Forest 

System Visits

Northern Region (01) .................................................................................................................... 9,884,000

Rocky Mountain Region (02)......................................................................................................... 31,759,000

Southwestern Region (03).............................................................................................................. 15,244,000

Intermountain Region (04)............................................................................................................. 20,512,000

Pacific Southwest Region (05)....................................................................................................... 24,288,000

Pacific Northwest Region (06)....................................................................................................... 17,203,000

Southern Region (08)..................................................................................................................... 22,746,000

Eastern Region (09) ....................................................................................................................... 11,660,000

Alaska Region (10) ........................................................................................................................ 2,812,000

Average Total Visits to National Forest System Lands ............................................................ 156,108,000

In 2024, the Forest Service will continue to implement the Administration’s America the Beautiful47 initiative, 

Forest Service Strategic Goals of sustaining the Nations forests and grasslands and delivering benefits to the public. 

The agency priorities will continue to align with USDA Strategic Plan48, which includes fostering productive and 

sustainable use of our National Forest System.

(2) An increase of $39,367,000 ($55,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $37,767,000 would allow engagement in longer-term planning for administering and 

issuing special use permits to the nearly 5,000 outfitters and guide businesses, many of which are located 

within and employ people from gateway and other underserved rural communities. In addition, this level 

of funding would support Wilderness Stewardship Performance tracking, Wilderness Character 

Monitoring, and critical planning processes associated with Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers.

The increase of operational funding would assist with public demand and use of National Forest 

recreation facilities, which is projected to increase in the following years. Increasing funding would 

sustain public satisfaction with their experience on National Forest System lands. Additionally, National 

Forest units would support partnership agreements, such as their ability to hire Resource Assistants who 

are often recruited from underserved communities and help bolster the next generation of Federal 

employees. This program would still use $3,000,000 in program funding toward the newly released 

national recreation strategy which has an emphasis on creating welcoming, sustainable, and equitable 

recreation opportunities for all Americans with a focus towards underserved and Tribal communities. 

B) An increase of $1,600,000 will support vehicle electrification goals mandated by Executive Order 14057 

by accelerating procurement of Zero Emission Vehicles for light duty vehicle replacement.

Wildlife and Fish Habitat Management: 

This program sustains our nation's forests and grasslands by managing habitats for the conservation of fish and 

wildlife. The restoration and conservation of fish and wildlife habitats provides numerous benefits to both nature and 

46FY 2022 Data will be updated Spring of 2023. 47 https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/conserving-restoring-america-the-beautiful.pdf 48 https://www.fs.usda.gov/strategicplan 
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society, ensuring that ecological services and amenities such as clean water and recreational opportunities are 

available to current and future generations. This program continues to build strong and diverse national and 

international partnerships that focus on collaboration and knowledge exchange to further conserve and restore 

habitats in the context of a changing climate. Existing and emerging threats, such as uncharacteristic wildfire, habitat 

loss, climate change, and invasive species continue to threaten the ability of the National Forests and Grasslands to 

support sustainable wildlife and fish populations. The National Forests and Grasslands contain a wide array of 

terrestrial habitats, including 80 percent of elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat habitats in the United States. They 

are also the majority of the remaining habitats for rare and wide-ranging carnivorous animals and there are more 

than 28 million acres of wild turkey habitats spanning across the United States. There are over 220,000 miles of 

fishable streams and rivers and more than 10 million acres of fishable lakes and reservoirs on National Forests and 

Grasslands, supporting 50 percent of the Nation’s premier trout and salmon habitat in the continental United States. 

In 2022, the program focus was on managing habitats to ensure aquatic and terrestrial species’ persistence, 

sustainability, and habitat connectivity. The agency and its partners upgraded or removed 126 road-stream crossings, 

reconnecting nearly 200 miles of upstream aquatic habitat. Of the nearly $42 million invested to achieve this 

conservation milestone, $18 million was leveraged by our partners. Restoring unimpeded fish and aquatic organism 

passage is one of the agency’s key strategies for adapting to a changing climate, and supporting freshwater 

ecosystems, while also improving the transportation infrastructure. 

In collaboration with partners, the program leveraged $127 million of agency funds with $32 million partner dollars 

to restore and improve over 2.3 million acres of wildlife habitat benefiting game and non-game species alike. The 

program worked together with the Forest Management and Hazardous Fuels Reduction programs to achieve habitat 

benefits while also reducing fuels and producing commercial timber products on 129,000 acres. 

Adaptation and resilience are important to species persistence and sustainability in the face of climate change, 

detrimental wildfires and other natural disasters, and increasing human development. The Wildlife and Fisheries 

program are working to conserve habitat connectivity and movement corridors for fish, other aquatic species, and 

terrestrial wildlife. This allows those species to move and find clean water, healthy feeding, spawning and breeding 

habitats, and refuge from floods, drought, and wildfires. Providing ecological resilience in the multiple-use context 

not only provides flood-resilient stream crossings and habitats that are resilient to disturbance but also protects 

public access and transportation networks, reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire, and supports the agency’s efforts 

in wildland fuels reduction/restoration, commercial timber production, and post-fire recovery work. 

In 2024, the program will continue to invest in partners such as Trout Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, 

and Mule Deer Foundation to reach the agency’s goal of improving or replacing 2,000 more fish-passage-friendly 

and climate-resilient culverts, dams, and irrigation diversions by 2025 and reducing the risk of wildfire inside and 

outside priority landscapes. These significant endeavors will be made possible by the continued commitment of 

partners, as well as supplemental funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction 

Act. Major partners include Federal Highways Administration, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, many Native 

American Tribal Nations, numerous state fish and wildlife agencies, and state transportation departments. 

(7) An increase of $5,000,000 ($24,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) This increase of $5,000,000 would significantly increase the program’s capacity to improve landscapes and 

watersheds at a meaningful scale. Additionally, the program would still use $10,000,000 in program funds 

to support collaborative efforts with Tribes and underserved communities across the Nation to enhance 

habitat connectivity and promote conservation solutions to the challenges associated with fish and wildlife 

habitat management in a changing climate in ways that are responsive to the needs of the communities. The 

program will continue to use $2,000,000 for threatened and endangered species activities to contribute to 

significant recovery actions.

Grazing Management: 

The Grazing Management program supports the following activities: 

• Administering livestock grazing use on approximately 74 million acres of the National Forest System lands. 

Grazing use is administered through a grazing permit system and includes processing, issuing, and 

overseeing compliance with grazing permits. The Forest Service administers permits for approximately 
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6,000 permittees associated with nearly 7,200 allotments across 28 states.

• Completing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis on grazing allotments with the priority and 

timing for completing each required environmental analysis determined in accordance with the provision at 

43 U.S.C. 1752(i) (i.e., the environmental significance of the grazing allotment and the available funding for 

the environmental analysis), along with the subsequent implementation of management practices derived 

from NEPA decisions. 

• Strategic investments and efforts for the maintenance and improvement of rangeland ecosystems. Of the 193 

million acres of National Forest System lands, approximately 96 million acres are rangelands and includes 

areas outside of permitted grazing allotments. Rangeland management efforts include a variety of actions 

from instillation of structural rangeland improvements (e.g., water developments) to enhance livestock 

distribution to completion of nonstructural rangeland improvements (e.g., seedings, woody encroachment 

reduction) that benefit such things as carbon sequestration, fuels reduction and wildlife habitat 

improvement. This work is completed in collaboration with permittees and many other partners.

Authorized grazing use on National Forest System lands has been approximately 6.6 million head months (the 

amount of time in months that an animal spends on NFS lands) including use by cattle, sheep, and goats. 

Opportunities for livestock grazing support ranching business that rely on grazing permits which in turn aid in 

strengthening rural economies. Ranching also bolsters America’s food security, providing a critical link in the 

supply chain of protein that feeds America and the world.

The Forest Service continues to make progress on addressing the backlog of allotments still requiring NEPA 

analysis and documentation. Though slowed in recent years, the backlog has been reduced from approximately 73 

percent of allotments requiring NEPA in the mid-1990s down to approximately 12 percent of active allotments 

currently. Continued work is needed but the agency has made efforts to complete the needed work in a priority 

fashion in accordance with the provision at 43 U.S.C. 1752(i) and within the bounds of staff capacity. 

The Forest Service has improved an average of 700,000 acres of rangeland vegetation each year over the past five 

years. This contributes to the resilience of rangeland ecosystems, the improvement of wildlife habitat, carbon 

sequestration opportunities and in many cases reduces wildfire risk by manipulating vegetation through activities 

such as woody encroachment reduction.

In 2024, the Forest Service will continue to implement the Administration’s America the Beautiful49 initiative, 

Forest Service Strategic Goals of sustaining the Nations forests and grasslands and delivering benefits to the public.

The agency priorities will continue to align with USDA Strategic Plan50, which includes fostering productive and 

sustainable use of our National Forest System. Under the proposed Budget amount, the priority activity will be to 

authorize livestock grazing for approximately 6,000 grazing permittees which is directly applicable to USDA 

Strategic Goal 2 - Ensure America’s Agricultural System is Equitable, Resilient, and Prosperous, and to USDA 

Strategic Goal 4 - Make Safe, Nutritious Food Available to All Americans. Permitted grazing opportunities provided 

on NFS lands also supports economic opportunities within rural communities and directly supports USDA Strategic 

Goal 5 - Expand Opportunities for Economic Development and Improve Quality of Life in Rural and Tribal 

Communities. The agency will continue to leverage best available science, new technology, policy flexibilities and 

planning to ensure grazing is authorized in a climate smart manner to support USDA Strategic Goal 1 - Combat 

Climate Change to Support America’s Working Lands, Natural Resources, and Communities.

(4) An increase of $1,500,000 ($6,300,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $1,500,000 would provide support to rural communities through administration of existing 

grazing permits. If projected budget increases are realized, work will be primarily focused on the 

administration of existing permits. Administration of existing permits will focus on basic stewardship to 

ensure grazing will be sustained at the appropriate levels. The Forest Service will attempt to complete 

allotment NEPA projects that are currently ongoing and may implement rangeland improvement activities 

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if appropriated funds are able to be leveraged to acquire partnership funds. The program would use 

$3,000,000 in program funds to support collaborative efforts with Tribes and underserved communities, 

including rural communities, across the Nation, in the planning and implementation of programs that 

promote adaptation to climate change, restoration of degraded environments, and rural economic prosperity 

in ways that are responsive to the needs of these communities.

Forest Products:

The Forest Products program ensures the productive and sustainable use of national forest lands by supporting 

healthy and resilient forests and communities. This program generates timber jobs in rural America through the sale 

of billions of board feet of timber annually. The Forest Products program fosters partnerships through its 

stewardship program, and through its coordination with state, county, tribal, and community partners to meet 

reductions in wildfire risk and improved forest health conditions.

In 2022, the agency sold approximately 2.93 billion board feet, an increase from the 2.84 billion board feet sold in 

2021. Sales included more than 500 contracts greater than $10,000, nearly 66,000 small timber contracts and 

permits, and over 21,000 special forest product permits for products other than timber. Various special forest 

management programs contributed to this 2022 accomplishment such as the Collaborative Forest Landscape 

Restoration Program which exceeded 273 million board feet (MMBF). Additional programs that sold timber volume 

include Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) (274 MMBF) and stewardship contracting and agreements (691 MMBF).

These achievements were, in part, made possible by the using GNA, modernization for National Environmental 

Policy Act planning and forest products delivery, insect and disease designations, stewardship contracting, the 

Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services Program, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The agency will 

continue to prioritize the use of these authorities and take the necessary steps to increase its capacity to reach output 

goals in conjunction with its hazardous fuels reduction and strategic vegetation management work.

The agency continues to grow relationships with State partners through the GNA program, which allows States to 

restore watersheds and manage forests on National Forest System lands through agreements or contracts. A total of 

378 GNA agreements covering a variety of restoration activities are in place across 38 States, with 40 new 

agreements implemented in 2022. Timber harvesting under GNA continues to grow; 274 million board feet were 

sold in 2022 under this authority. The 2018 Farm Bill expanded GNA authority to allow counties and Tribes to 

participate in the program. There are currently 15 GNA agreements with counties and 15 with Tribes, working 

primarily in resource areas surrounding wildlife and fisheries habitat. 

The agency continues to expand implementation of 2018 Farm Bill provisions related to self-governance agreements 

(often referred to as 638 agreements or contracts) under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 

Act. This authority allows the agency to carry out demonstration projects by which Federally recognized Indian 

Tribes or Tribal organizations may contract to perform administrative, management, and other functions of the 

Tribal Forest Protection Act, allowing Tribes across the Nation to collaborate in the “planning and implementation 

of programs for the benefit of Indians in ways that are responsive to the true needs of Indian communities.” 

The Stewardship program continues to accomplish additional resource and land management objectives with the 

authorization to apply the value of timber or other forest products from stewardship contracts as an offset against the 

costs. If the offset value exceeds the cost of the resource improvement treatments, those receipts are retained and 

deposited in the Stewardship Contracting fund and are available until expended for other authorized stewardship 

projects. 

The Forest Service will tackle the climate change challenges with a robust and proactive approach that aligns with 

our core values of conservation, interdependence, and safety. Agency actions will support the USDA’s Strategic 

Goals addressing climate change through climate smart forestry. The Forest Service Climate Adaptation Plan51

identifies key climate risks to the agency’s mission and goals, as well as foundational adaptation strategies and 

actions to address those risks. This plan works in concert with the Climate Action Tracker (CAT), an agency-wide 

tool to collect information on climate adaptation, carbon stewardship, and sustainable operations.

We will plan activities at a scale and in locations commensurate with the values at stake and the risks in play, 

making integrated decisions on mutually defined projects across all land ownerships. National, Regional and Forest 

level strategies and project emphasis will focus on supporting underserved communities. Through Shared 

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Stewardship agreements, the agency will continue to support the Tribal Co-Stewardship and JSO 340352 that 

supports the United States’ unique trust obligation to Tribes.

The Forest Service has made significant investments to identify opportunities to advance markets, in particular 

markets that are critical to meeting outcomes associated with carbon stewardship, forest restoration and hazardous 

fuels reduction. In 024 the Agency will capitalize on major investments made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law that focuses on expanding markets, including greater investments in innovation grants and Regional and 

National approaches for supporting markets in areas that are lacking infrastructure. 

(5) An increase of $1,600,000 ($40,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $1,600,000 will support vehicle electrification goals mandated by Executive Order 14057 

by accelerating procurement of Zero Emission Vehicles for light duty vehicle replacement. This program 

would continue to use $10,000,000 in program funding to support collaborative efforts with Tribes and 

underserved communities – including rural communities – across the Nation, in the planning and 

implementation of vegetation management programs that are responsive to the needs of these 

communities.

Vegetation and Watershed Management: 

This program manages and sustains watersheds and vegetation conditions on National Forest System lands. The 

restoration and conservation of watersheds provide numerous benefits to both nature and society, ensuring that 

ecological services and amenities such as clean water and recreational opportunities are available to current and 

future generations. The program continues to build strong and diverse national and international partnerships that 

focus on collaboration and knowledge exchange to further conserve, protect, and restore habitats at risk due to

climate change. This program ensures the productive and sustainable use of National Forest System lands by 

improving the condition and health of forest and rangeland vegetation, controlling the spread of invasive species, 

sustaining soil productivity, reducing the risk of severe flooding and erosion in areas affected by severe fire, and 

maintaining water quality. This program also funds the Wild Horse and Burro program. 

In 2021, the Forest Service monitored Best Management Practices (BMP) implementation and effectiveness at more 

than 400 sites. This information was used in 2022 for three primary outcomes: 1) protect aquatic and riparian 

resources through adaptive management; 2) document the use and effectiveness of BMP for National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEPA) analyses to support or strengthen the environmental analyses for priority timber sale and fuels 

management projects, particularly landscape scale projects; and 3) monitor BMPs and share data to document 

compliance with the State Nonpoint Source Management Plan, as directed by the Clean Water Act.

Watershed health is an important factor in assessing forest resiliency in the face of climate and increasing human 

development. Working to improve watershed condition will help provide for ecological resilience in the multipleuse context by sustaining sources of clean drinking water while reducing the risk and adverse impact of catastrophic 

wildfire through fuels reduction, landscape restoration, commercial timber production, and post-fire recovery work. 

In 2024, the agency priorities will continue to align with USDA Strategic Plan53, which includes fostering 

productive and sustainable use of our National Forest System, including ongoing implementation of the 

Administration’s “America the Beautiful” initiative. The program will also continue co-investment with critical 

partners, such as Trout Unlimited, to reach the agency’s goal of improving the condition of priority watersheds. 

These significant endeavors will be made possible by the continued commitment of these partners, as well as 

supplemental funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

(6) An increase of $18,500,000 ($32,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) This increase of $18,500,000 would significantly increase the program’s capacity to improve landscapes 

and watersheds at a scale that is meaningful. The following efforts would continue using climate informed 

52 https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/joint-so-3403-stewardship-tribal-nations.pdf 53 https://www.fs.usda.gov/strategicplan 
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science to prioritize restoration and resilience efforts; maintenance of restored terrestrial and aquatic 

ecosystems; invasive species treatments; water source protection; native vegetation production and 

planting; soil condition improvement; tending future forests; preparing watersheds to withstand flood 

events and increasing carbon storage capacity. Also, funding will support the Wild Free-Roaming Horses 

and Burros Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-195) which requires the Forest Service – in coordination with the 

Bureau of Land Management – to manage populations of wild horses and burros respectively. 

Minerals and Geology Management: 

This program manages administration of minerals, abandoned mine lands, and geologic resources. Mineral’s 

administration covers locatable minerals, leasable minerals, saleable minerals and ensures the productive and 

sustainable use of National Forest System lands for energy production and mineral development. The program 

secures and protects unique resources, such as fossils, caves, groundwater (e.g. aquifers), wildlife habitat, and places 

of scientific, cultural, and recreational interest by monitoring and mitigating geologic hazards like landslides; and 

cleans, restores, and monitors environmentally compromised lands contaminated by mines or other hazards. The 

program contributes an estimated $5.6 billion annually to the Nation’s economy and supports approximately 38,700 

jobs.

In 2022, the agency administered more than 5,500 Federal mineral leases across 4.2 million acres of National Forest 

System lands for oil, natural gas, coal, phosphates, and other mineral commodities. These mineral, oil, and gas 

operations include approximately 4,000 wells, and a variety of coal and other mineral mines. In 2022, the agency 

also managed approximately 15,000 privately-owned oil and gas wells and around 75,000 mining claims, on 

National Forest System lands. Also in 2022, the agency completed 1,857 mineral material (e.g., sand, gravel) sale 

contracts and permits. The program continues efforts regarding a proposed revision of the agency’s Oil and Gas 

Resource regulations (36 CFR 228, Subpart E), which are intended to bring our regulations up to date with laws 

previously passed that impact oil and gas leasing for approximately 44 National Forests and Grasslands with 

ongoing Federal oil and gas interests or operations. A revision of the Locatable Minerals regulations (36 CFR 228, 

Subpart A) is on-going.

With an emphasis on responding to the nations needs regarding critical minerals, as well as addressing legacy mine 

features and orphaned wells that pose threats to human health and the environment, the Minerals and Geology 

Management program continues to take steps towards improving conditions in accordance with provisions in the 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, policy priorities articulated in the Administration’s “America the Beautiful54” 

initiative, and Forest Service Strategic Goals of sustaining the Nations forests and grasslands and delivering benefits 

to the public. The agency priorities will continue to align with USDA Strategic Plan55, which includes fostering 

productive and sustainable use of our National Forest System.

In 2024, the program will continue to promulgate regulation revision for both the 36 CFR 228 subpart E and Subpart 

A regulations, as well as fund mitigative measures associated with legacy abandoned mine sites. Additionally, the 

program will continue to invest in the processing and administration of locatable mineral plans, oil and gas 

administration, and saleable mineral proposals. 

(9) An increase of $30,500,000 ($14,500,000 in 2023 enacted). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $30,500,000 to support minerals activities; conducting critical mineral/locatable and 

salable operations; identifying, closing, and restoring abandoned mine lands; inventorying orphaned 

wells; and performing minerals operations. The Forest Service would continue to support the restoration 

and plugging of orphaned wells and strategically direct funds towards contractors to cap wells on National 

Forest System lands. An increase in program funds would also further support remediation of abandoned 

mines and orphaned wells in or adjacent to environmental justice (EJ) communities and Tribal Nations.

This increase would also provide additional support to meet mineral-related management goals. The 

management goals include overseeing current, future, and potential operations on 15,000 oil and gas wells, 

75,000 mining claims, and over 1,800 mineral material contracts and/or permits. These goals are driven by 

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agency requirements to minimize impact to natural resources as a result of mineral-related operations being 

conducted. 

The proposed funding would expand the agency’s ability to manage geologic resources on National Forest 

System (NFS) lands, including more than 2,500 formally designated caves, more than 40,000 inventoried 

groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs), nearly 50 identified areas with designated significant geologic 

features, and over 800 inventoried paleontological resource sites. Furthermore, this funding level will 

continue to support revision of the agency’s Locatable Mineral Regulations (36 CFR 228 A) and other 

minerals-related regulatory revisions. The revisions are critical to meet modern day challenges associated 

with extraction that were not accounted for decades ago when the current regulations were written. 

Land Use Authorization and Access:

This program ensures the productive and sustainable use of National Forest System lands through various land and 

natural resource management activities in support of the social and economic wellbeing of rural and urban 

communities. The program secures and protects National Forest System lands and land interests through land 

surveys in advance of timber sales, acquiring rights-of-way, and administering road agreements necessary for public 

and agency access to complete activities, including timber production, transportation, recreation, and utility 

inspection. The program administers 74,000 lands related Special Use Authorizations, representing 18,000 miles of 

powerlines, 1,500 communication sites, 6,600 miles of pipeline, 2,000 reservoirs, 14,000 recreation residences, 250 

hydropower projects, and 1,300 commercial filming and still photography projects. At roughly $150 million in 

annual revenue, the Special Use Program not only represents more than half the annual receipts within the entire 

agency, but they account for at least $100 billion of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. 

In 2022, the program increased investment in its national centralized billing team that has increased the agency's 

efficiency by reducing staff workload by 25 percent allowing them to work on other priority infrastructure and 

recreational projects. The team also reduced the time required to issue billing invoices by 25 percent as well. The 

industry standard for collections on account receivables older than 120 days should be less than 12 percent or 

approximately 90 percent efficient for high performing companies; however, the billing team’s efforts to increase 

on-line billing and other improvements have significantly increased the agency effectiveness in collecting fees by 

over 98 percent and improving overall internal and external customer service. Overall, the billing team collected 

$35.8 million in proceeds in 2022, an increase in gross permit receipts of over 13 percent, with thousands of Special 

Use Data System (SUDS) permit data errors corrected, and substantial support for regional digitization of both 

rights-of-way and easements.

A key function of the program is permitting and managing authorizations for powerline facilities that cross National 

Forest System lands and connect to the national power grid, which ensures delivery of electricity to businesses and 

homes throughout the nation. Through the creation of new policy for review and approval of operating plans, the 

Forest Service can now provide timely and consistent responses to requests for routine vegetation management and 

maintenance work that reduces risks of power disruption and catastrophic wildfires. Under the policy, authorized 

officers have initiated communication with powerline operators to renew their permits, update operating plans and 

begin vegetation removal in priority areas. 

The program has also initiated regulatory changes that will allow permitting of carbon capture and storage projects, 

which will allow National Forest System lands to be used for reducing and offsetting the release of carbon emissions 

into the atmosphere.

In 2024, the program will continue investing in creating a diverse and responsive staff that represents and serves the 

American public through expansion of rural broadband, reduction of wildfire threats near powerlines, and 

consideration for carbon capture and storage projects. 

(10)An increase of $13,500,000 ($8,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $4,000,000 would provide support to utilize land appraisal and technical assistance 

contracting in expediting land acquisitions and exchange and facilitate third party acquisition agreements, 

supporting the expansion of public access to National Forest System lands. This increase would also impact 

various projects to bolster the resilience of National Forest System lands to climate change. This work 
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includes repairing roads affected by flood events and examining and stabilizing dams that are at risk of 

failure due to unpredictable rain events. The agency would reprioritize work that addresses potential 

exposure of fiber optic lines within road system right-of-way due to erosion from more frequent rain events 

and addressing decreased life expectancy of permitted infrastructure due to the changes in climate.

B) An increase of $500,000 to support the activities required to transfer eleven parcels as directed by Public 

Law 116-255, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act. These transactions would 

incur administrative costs such as surveys to create new boundaries, particularly to exclude cabins and 

resorts, which pursuant to 43 United States Code Section 2, must be performed by the Bureau of Land 

Management, which must be reimbursed by the Forest Service.

C) An increase of $1,000,000 to continue modernization of boundary management survey equipment. This 

would increase the efficiency of program survey efforts and support expected increases in boundary 

marking and measurement demands from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Public Law 117-58), the Great 

American Outdoors Act, as well as a general need to update obsolete equipment and increase agency 

survey capabilities using the latest survey-grade global positioning systems and drone technology.

D) An increase of $3,000,000 to support the activities required to facilitate the exchange of certain State lands 

located within the Flathead Indian Reservation for Federal public lands located in Montana. The Montana 

Water Rights Protection Act (Division DD of Public Law 116-260), specifically states in subsection 

13(J)(2)(D), that “The Secretary concerned shall ensure that land exchanged pursuant to this paragraph is 

selected in a manner that minimizes the financial impact on local governments, if any.” This funding would 

be used to cover the costs of environmental review, appraisal, and timber cruise activities necessary to 

complete this exchange while also complying with other Federal laws.

E) An increase of $5,000,000 to establish an Agency-agency-wide, multiple awards, blanket purchase 

agreement for services commonly required for completing land adjustment projects across the nation. This 

would support work in the field and at the policy level, offering Lands and Realty, and Minerals and 

Geology Management, its field counterparts, and partner agencies a single, streamlined marketplace for the 

technical services needed to augment our activities and accelerate our productivity.

Law Enforcement Operations: 

The Law Enforcement Operations (LEI) program plays a critical role as a USDA Primary Mission Essential 

Function (PMEF) by providing safety and security on public lands. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers 

conduct a range of enforcement activities and criminal and civil investigations involving incidents of theft, assault, 

alcohol and drug use; unauthorized motor vehicle use; illegal occupancy; trespassing; wildland fire arson; drug 

smuggling and manufacturing; fraud; and assaults and threats to employees.

An increase in funding will strengthen LEI’s ability to aid in reducing wildland fire risk while fostering resilient 

forests and watersheds by participating in fire severity patrols, conducting wildfire cause and origin investigations, 

and presenting criminal and civil cases to the United States Attorney’s Offices for prosecutorial consideration. In 

addition, LEI responds to the illegal manufacturing of controlled substances on National Forest lands. The illegal 

operations include the manufacture of methamphetamine and the cultivation of marijuana. The ecological 

degradation and threats associated with illegal marijuana cultivation are significant. They include contamination of 

waterways and habitat at cultivation sites, the take of fish and wildlife listed under the Federal Endangered Species 

Act (ESA), and the endangerment of agency staff, indigenous users of the resources, and the public from cultivators 

and their actions at these sites.

In 2024 LEI will continue to respond to the historic increase in recreation and use as a result of the COVID-19 

pandemic. The number of interactions and opportunities to engage, educate, and serve the public has significantly 

increased. The unprecedented increase in use and visitation while conducting operations in a COVID-19 

environment present many opportunities that require new or modified processes and tactics to ensure the National 

Forest continues to be a safe and accessible place to recreate. LEI will continue to prioritize direct engagement and 

collaboration with the State, County, local authorities, the public, and multiple user groups. These efforts have 

yielded increased cooperation both internally and externally with partners and with the public. 
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In 2022, LEI increased the organization by 60 FTEs, adding to its on-the-ground presence. Training, mission critical 

equipment and technology upgrades, and rising fleet costs are program funding requirements that accompany 

increasing on the ground presence. In 2024 LEI will continue to support USDA Strategic Goal #2 Objective 2.1 

Protecting Agricultural Health by continuing to prevent the serious damage to natural resources caused by illegal 

marijuana cultivation on public lands. Hazardous materials and activities at illegal grow sites cause significant and 

long-lasting damage to ecosystems, water sources, and wildlife. Funding to support removal of illegal grow sites and 

anti-smuggling efforts is consistent with the National Drug Control Strategy. The funding will also enable the law 

enforcement organization to maintain public safety at the annual Rainbow Family of Living Light Gatherings. 

Attendance at these national and regional gatherings is expected to increase by about 10,000 visitors, compared to 

past years. The rising incidence of felony-level property and personal crime on national forests jurisdiction has been 

a significant challenge during these events, and more LEI resources and staffing will be needed to manage safety 

and conduct law enforcement activities. LEI will also continue the investment into the Resource Assistant Program 

(RAP). The RAP program has played an immense role in achieving the focus call to action objective of increasing 

boots on the ground as well as advancing racial justice, equity, and opportunity.

The2024 Funding will directly benefit State, county, local authorities, the public, and multiple user groups by 

providing an increased and more capable law enforcement presence on National Forests. The funding will be used to 

maintain current cooperative agreements, acquire much needed technology and equipment to support patrol 

activities and investigations and continue to maintain safety and prevent damage to natural resources. Funding will 

equip new hires with mission critical equipment such as body-worn cameras, in-vehicle cameras, personal protective 

equipment, the continued development of our National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), 

National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), compliant Law Enforcement Investigation Reporting System 

(LEIRS), technology upgrades and maintenance, LIDAR devices for fire investigations, and specialized equipment 

(UTVs, ATVs, Trailers) that meet unique needs of the geographic areas the agency serves. For reference, each new 

Law Enforcement Officer requires additional agency costs, including an average of $10,000 for equipment such as 

body armor, uniform, weapons and other safety equipment, and outfitted vehicles costing more than $50,000. In

2024 LEI will continue to invest in the wellbeing and mental health training and support services. These services 

include tuition, continuous updating of mental wellbeing programs, and medical professional onsite travel funded 

through an agreement equating to approximately 150,000 annually. 

At present, 75 percent of the program’s allocated funding is expended on Fleet and Cooperative Law Enforcement 

Agreements (CLE) alone. These CLE agreements are critical to public safety and State, local, and county law 

enforcement partners, but the large share of CLEs in the budget is unsustainable without adequate funding. The 

increase in funding will also allow the program to shift resources toward the acquisition and maintenance of 

technology and equipment for new and existing staff so they can properly serve the public and protect our Nation’s 

natural resources. 

(11)An increase of $4,500,000 ($19,505,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $4,500,000 in Law Enforcement Operations from 2023 enacted will better resource our 

current workforce and add new capacity for a more capable law enforcement presence on national forests. 

The funding would assist with acquisition and maintenance of technology and equipment for new and 

existing staff. Anticipated additional investments include body-worn cameras, in-vehicle cameras, personal 

protective equipment, the continued development of our National Instant Criminal Background Check 

System and National Incident-Based Reporting System compliant Law Enforcement Investigation 

Reporting System, Light Detection and Ranging devices for fire investigations, and specialized equipment 

(UTVs, ATVs, Trailers) that meet unique needs of the geographic areas the agency serves. The additional 

funding would also allow LEI to train newly hired staff. Such training enables the law enforcement 

organization to maintain public safety at the annual Rainbow Family of Living Light Gatherings. 

Attendance at these national and regional gatherings is expected to increase by about 10,000 visitors, 

compared to past years. 

B) Vehicle replacements have been delayed due to supply chain shortages, maintenance, and repair industry 

prices have also increased and are expected to continue. $800,000 of the requested funds would be used to 

cover increased fleet costs. Many of the counties participating in CLE have expressed concern that the 

pandemic and additional factors have resulted in a need for increased funding. A portion of the requested 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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funds would be used towards county and LEI participation in ongoing operations that serve the public and 

protect our Nation’s natural resources. Funding will also be used to address rising fleet costs due to 

increased visitation to public lands that has resulted in an increase in mileage/use along with wear and tear 

for law enforcement vehicles.

Burned Area Rehabilitation: 

The Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) program serves as a bridge to connect emergency response actions to longterm recovery goals. BAR includes post-fire efforts taken within five years of wildfire containment to repair or 

improve lands unlikely to recover naturally to a management approved condition or to repair/replace minor 

infrastructure and facilities damaged by the fire. 

The Forest Service must work at the scale needed to restore landscapes from climate change driven disasters, such as 

fires and post-fire flooding. The Forest Service received congressionally appropriated funding for post-fire 

rehabilitation from 2001-2011. Since 2011, rehabilitation of burned areas has competed for regular program funds 

with all other priorities at the unit level. Consequently, less the 10 percent of post-fire rehabilitation needs have been 

met annually, and the backlog of needed work continues to grow. 

In 2024, the Forest Service will continue to address the impacts of climate change driven disasters through 

implementation of the BAR program. The Forest Service must work at the scale needed to restore landscapes from 

climate change driven disasters with fires impacting more lands and the cascading disasters caused by storm events 

leading to more post-fire flooding and debris flows. The BAR program serves as a critical step in repairing and 

improving these lands impacted by wildfires to a desired management condition. 

(12)An increase of $56,000,000 (relative to $0 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $56,000,000 would significantly sustain and expand the program’s potential to improve 

landscapes and watersheds at a scale that is meaningful. The 2021 fire season alone is estimated to have 

resulted in over $1 billion in post-fire restoration needs for invasive plants treatments, range and recreation 

infrastructure repair, watershed restoration, wildlife and fisheries habitat recovery, and revegetation. The 

current appropriations level through BIL at $65 million annually is only funding a small subset of the 

needed rehabilitation work. Additional funding along with a permanent BAR program will allow the 

agency to address post-fire needs more consistently and effectively.
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CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS

Table FS-30. Classification by Objects (thousands of dollars)

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Personnel Compensation:

Washington D.C........................................................... $20,331 $95,885 $96,928 $107,713

Personnel compensation, field ..................................... 960,369 936,714 946,907 1,052,262

11.0 Total personnel compensation................................... 980,700 1,032,599 1,043,835 1,159,975

12.0 Personal benefits.......................................................... 406,478 432,239 436,942 485,558

13.0 Benefits for former personnel ...................................... 81 -61 - -

Total, personnel compensation and benefits............. 1,387,259 1,464,777 1,480,777 1,645,533

Other Objects:

21.0 Travel and transportation of persons............................ 12,803 26,570 36,715 45,345

22.0 Transportation of things............................................... 8,481 5,721 13,243 16,356

23.1 Rental payments to GSA.............................................. 4 14 17 21

23.2 Rental payments to others............................................ 417 55 440 544

23.3 Communications, utilities, and misc. charges.............. 1,320 409 1,612 1,991

24.0 Printing and reproduction ............................................ 281 756 967 1,194

25.1 Advisory and assistance services................................. 13 186 186 229

25.2 Other services from non-Federal sources..................... 124,134 202,928 304,983 376,671

25.3 Other goods and services from Federal sources........... 93,822 96,353 177,337 219,021

25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities....................... 535 513 977 1,207

25.5 Research and development contracts........................... 701 517 1,136 1,403

25.6 Medical care................................................................. 98 62 149 184

25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment.................... 3,243 2,831 5,664 6,995

26.0 Supplies and materials................................................. 36,043 52,544 82,607 102,024

31.0 Equipment.................................................................... 7,211 13,157 18,993 23,457

32.0 Land and structures...................................................... 741 5,875 6,169 7,620

41.0 Grants, subsidies, and contributions ............................ 163,554 403,975 529,216 653,612

42.0 Insurance claims and indemnities................................ 1,784 1,676 3,226 3,985

43.0 Interest and dividends.................................................. 29 65 88 108

44.0 Refunds........................................................................ - -118 - -

91.0 Unvouchered................................................................ - -1 - -

92.0 Undistributed ............................................................... 150 68 203 251

Total, other objects.................................................... 455,364 814,156 1,183,928 1,462,218

99.9 Total, new obligations............................................ 1,842,623 2,278,933 2,664,705 3,107,751

Position Data:

Average Salary (dollars), ES Position.......................... $183,533 $185,520 $194,054 $204,145 

Average Salary (dollars), GS Position ......................... 69,440 71,209 74,485 78,358

Average Grade, GS Position ........................................ 9.3 9.4 9.4 9.4
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STATUS OF PROGRAMS

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration

Current Activities

Collaborative Forest Landscape Scale Restoration (CFLR) uses collaborative, science-based approaches to enhance 

forest and watershed health, reduce risk from uncharacteristic wildfire, and provide economic benefits to rural 

communities. CFLR projects are designed to increase community support for forest restoration projects, leveraging 

capacity, and expanding the scale of restoration. CFLR’s community-based investments in restoration support local 

rural communities through the production of forest products, such as timber and biomass, and the creation and 

maintenance of jobs. In 2021 there were 14 funded projects that supported 3,727 jobs and $185 million in labor 

income. The CFLR Advisory Committee evaluates, supports, and provides recommendations on nominated CFLR 

projects to the Secretary. In 2023, CFLR funded 17 current and new projects in ten states. Additionally, there are 

seven CFLR projects approved by the Secretary if additional funding becomes available. 

Table FS-31. Current Collaborative Forest Landscape Scale Restoration Projects.1

Project Name State(s) 2023 

Amount

Project Description

Shortleaf-Bluestem 

Community Project

Arkansas; 

Oklahoma

 $1,025,000 Large-scale restoration of 569,000 acres of shortleaf pinebluestem grass communities. Restoration activities will focus 

on thinning and prescribed burns to reduce stand density and 

improve habitat for threatened and endangered species such 

as the Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

Dinkey Collaborative California 

1,738,688

Project area is 154,000-acres that sit in the epicenter of 

unprecedented fuel loading due to the severity of Southern 

Sierra tree mortality.

North Yuba River 

Watershed

California 3,000,000 The project area is 356,000 acres. The North Yuba River 

watershed provides clean water for homes, communities, 

businesses and ecosystems. There is an urgent need to address 

high wildfire hazard potential and areas more susceptible to 

insects, disease and drought. Treatments will promote forest 

conditions that are more resilient, while restoring watershed 

health and native biodiversity.

Western Klamath 

Mountains Fire and Fire 

Resiliency Project

California 3,000,000 The project area is 1.2-million-acres. Treatments will include

preparing the landscape for frequent, smaller, lower-intensity 

wildfires to protect communities and critical transportation 

routes. This work will increase watershed health and 

ecosystem resilience and includes areas traditionally managed 

by the Karuk Tribe. 

Southwest Colorado 

Restoration Initiative

Colorado 3,000,000 The project area is 1.9-million-acres that include private, 

municipal, state, and Federal lands. The project aims to 

promote resilience, enabling the area to adapt to future 

disturbance while retaining ecosystem function, productivity 

and ecosystem services. The strategy is to enhance the 

resilience of critical watersheds, wildlife and aquatic habitats, 

community infrastructure, economic drivers and forest 

conditions.

Rio Chama Colorado; 

New 

Mexico

 3,000,000 The project area is 3.8-million-acres and includes lands 

managed by Tribes, states, the Bureau of Land Management, 

and private landowners. This collective vision to reduce 

wildfire risk has galvanized communities in this landscape. 

The project will increase resilience to catastrophic wildfire 

and other natural disturbance events, sustaining healthy 

forests and watersheds for future generations.
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Project Name State(s) 2023 

Amount

Project Description

Missouri Pine Oak 

Woodlands

Missouri 333,677 The project area is 445,000 acres and includes Missouri’s 

largest contiguous forest and designated scenic riverways 

with important conservation implications for the long-term 

survival of birds and aquatic life.

Zuni Mountains New 

Mexico

 1,000,000 The project area is 253,000 acres. Activities will focus on 

increasing resilience to climate change, uncharacteristic 

crown fires, and support healthy communities and wildlife 

habitat. This project provides a long-term supply of wood for 

businesses and creates a suite of restoration-oriented 

businesses.

Deschutes Collaborative 

Forest Project

Oregon 

1,811,954

The project area is 258,000 acres and includes high-value 

landscapes with a broad array of collaborative support. 

Efforts focus on reducing high-severity wildfire in the 

wildland-urban interface, protecting watersheds, preserving 

recreation areas, and providing jobs and wood products.

Lakeview Stewardship Oregon 2,146,230 The project area is 859,000 acres that is important to rural 

communities for recreation and forestry sector jobs. The goal 

is to create a healthy, resilient, and functional forest landscape 

maintained with fire to mitigate the threat of high-severity 

wildfires to dry forests, habitat, water quality and 

communities.

Northern Blues Forest 

Restoration

Oregon 3,000,000 The project area is 10.4 million acres and will reduce wildfire 

risk and prepare the landscape to safely manage fire. The area 

has a strong history of successful cross-boundary, all-lands 

restoration collaboration.

Rogue Basin Landscape 

Restoration Project

Oregon 3,000,000 The project area is 4.6 million acres. The proposed work will 

accelerate urgently needed restoration treatments to meet 

long-term, collaboratively developed strategic goals of 

wildfire risk reduction, landscape resiliency, improved 

wildlife habitat, watershed protection, adaptation, and social 

and economic resilience.

Southern Blues 

Restoration Coalition

Oregon 3,000,000 The project area is 1 million acres that suffer from departed 

fire regimes, species composition, and forest stand densities 

that threaten to destroy key habitat, old growth, important 

aquatic resources, and private property due to 

uncharacteristically severe wildfires and effects of a changing 

climate. The overarching goal is restoration at a scale that will 

help native wildlife thrive, create forests that are resilient to 

climate change, and support the health, safety, and prosperity 

of local communities.

Northeast Washington 

Forest Vision 2020

Washington 3,000,000 The project area is 916,000 acres. Treatments will focus on 

aligning with Washington’s 20-year Forest Health Action 

Plan. The project will restore forested landscapes and 

watersheds to prepare for future wildfires and the effects of 

climate change. The overarching goals are to restore forests 

and habitats, reduce hazardous fuels, use woody biomass and 

small-diameter trees, and reduce the costs of treatments and 

wildfire management.
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Project Name State(s) 2023 

Amount

Project Description

North Central 

Washington

Washington 3,000,000 The project area is 1.1 million acres. Treatments will focus on 

aligning with Washington’s 20-year Forest Health Action 

Plan. The approach strategically places treatment to reduce 

wildfire risk for some of the most vulnerable cities and 

communities in the Pacific Northwest so that multiple tools 

and tactics can be used to manage the fires safely and 

appropriately. Work will include fuels treatments, stream and 

fisheries improvements, and wildlife habitat restoration.

Pisgah Restoration 

Initiative

North 

Carolina

1,100,000 The landscape strategy will achieve four collaboratively

developed priority outcomes: reducing wildfire risk, restoring 

fire-adapted forests, restoring rare ecosystems, and promoting 

healthy forests and watersheds.

Longleaf Pine 

Ecosystem Restoration 

and Hazardous Fuels 

Reduction 

Mississippi 1,093,053 The project goals are to maintain existing longleaf 

ecosystems, re-establish longleaf pine forests, return fire 

regimes and restore native understory plant communities, 

reduce hazardous fuels that could lead to catastrophic 

wildfire, and respond to climate change by re-establishing 

ecosystems resilient to climate extremes and suited for carbon 

storage. The desired outcome is a healthy and diverse 

collection of native plant and animal communities which 

support ecological, economic, and social sustainability. 

Total Amount 37,248,602

1For many projects, the 2023 funding identified in Table FS-31 is a combination of annual appropriated and BIL (§40803).

Table FS-32. Current Collaborative Forest Landscape Scale Restoration Projects. 

Project Name State(s) Status Project Description

Western Central Idaho 

Initiative

Idaho Approved 

and not 

funded

The landscape is a statewide priority. In provides 

opportunities for watershed and vegetation restoration 

projects and allows the forests to prioritize work, bolster 

social support, and efficiently use resources. Agreements 

are in place to support coordinated work to reduce wildfire 

risk to communities and wildfire habitat, improve 

watershed function, and benefit the local economy.

Idaho Panhandle 

National Forests Joint 

Collaboratives

Idaho Approved 

and not 

funded

The goal is to restore forest ecosystems to be resilient to 

natural processes and to protect natural resources and 

values. The desired outcome is a landscape that provides a 

diversity of habitats while protecting communities and 

drinking water and providing jobs and wood fiber for local 

mills. 

Weiser Little Salmon 

Headwaters

Idaho Approved 

and not 

funded

This landscape is an area that provides highly valued 

resource benefits including fish, wildlife, timber, grazing 

and recreation. It is a state priority landscape. Restoration 

treatments focus on reducing wildfire risk, fuels 

management, and watershed improvements. These 

activities provide jobs within the local economy. The 

project would restore, enhance, and maintain resources to

deliver all the ecosystem benefits that people get from

forests and grasslands.
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Project Name State(s) Status Project Description

Interior Highlands and 

Coastal Plain of 

Arkansas

Arkansas Approved 

and not 

funded

The project area supports diverse botanic, wildlife, and 

fisheries populations and is on the largest remnant of these

ecosystem types, supporting oak forests and woodland 

savannas. With the help of new and existing partners, the 

project would expand the scope and scale of restoration. 

Management toward a desired future condition will lead to 

a landscape more resilient to emergent threats.

Ravalli Roots Montana Approved 

and not 

funded

With the amount of high priority WUI, the need for 

increased landscape scale treatment is clear. Management 

will restore critical habitat for big game and watershed 

resources, including high value streams for fisheries.

Colorado Front Range 

Landscape Restoration

Colorado Approved 

and not 

funded

The project will sustain ongoing restoration that provides 

ecological, social, and economic benefit. Through strategic 

treatments, the project will reduce risks to the ecosystem 

and communities and lower wildfire suppression costs. The 

work is critical for protecting municipal watersheds that

supply drinking water to millions of residents.

Northeast Washington 

Selkirks

Washington Approved 

and not 

funded

This area has numerous partnerships and is undergoing 

active restoration supported and assisted by one of the first 

and most effective forest collaboratives. Capacity is 

increased through partnerships, mixed agency 

interdisciplinary teams, enterprise teams, and third party 

contracting.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

CFLRP Projects Implementation: Integrated restoration activities are planned, implemented, and monitored through 

a collaborative process to enhance watershed health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, and support jobs in 

local communities. In 2022, 15 CFLRP projects advanced a suite of activities, including over 490,000 acres of 

hazardous fuels treatments, 95,000 acres of habitat enhanced, 850 miles of trail maintained, and 4,800 acres of forest 

vegetation established. Additionally, through the 15 CFLRP active projects in 2022, 157 MMBF of timber volume 

sold and 48,000 greens tons of biomass made available for bioenergy.

Land Management Planning, Assessment, and Monitoring

Current Activities

Land Management Planning, Assessment, and Monitoring provides funding for revising and maintaining land 

management plans, and for creating a responsive planning process that informs integrated resource management and

allows units to monitor and adapt to changing conditions. The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 

1604) requires each National Forest System (NFS) unit to have a land management plan and the Forest Service’s 

2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) provides the process and structure to create required monitoring programs to 

inform adaptive management on NFS lands. 

The land management planning process, which includes assessments and monitoring programs, provides 

foundational direction about the agency’s stewardship responsibilities to manage healthy national forests and 

grasslands that are resilient to changing climates and external factors. Land management planning, assessment, 

monitoring, and adaptive management provide a collaborative vision that ensures each NFS unit provides 

sustainable ecosystem services to the public and Tribal Nations, including benefits from old growth, timber, grazing, 

outdoor recreation, and many other values and services. 

Currently, there are 128 NFS unit land management plans, of which 99 are more than 15 years old and 57 are more

than 20 years old. Under the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFS 219), the Forest Service has completed eleven land 
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management plan revisions. Each plan revision took an average of seven years to complete at an average cost $1 

million per year. 

The agency has studied why it struggles with land management plan revision and identified several challenges, 

including insufficient staffing, inconsistent processes, and a steep learning curve on each revision effort. In response 

to these challenges, the agency began establishing the Planning Service Organization (PSO) in 2022. The new 

business model for land management plan revision will consolidate revision resources, staffing, and expertise to 

manage the planning process for revision units and complete the bulk of plan development and analysis work. An 

Adaptive Management Team will serve the PSO groups to improve efficiencies and consistency in developing 

planning assessments, monitoring programs, and incorporating adaptive management principles in land management 

plans. The revision unit will retain decision-making authority, lead public engagement, and provide direction, local 

expertise, and technical review during management plan revision. In 2023, resources will be dedicated to staffing 

and procuring contracts and agreements in the new organization to support starting 38 new revisions over the next 

five years. This organizational change will allow the Forest Service to initiate and complete more revisions more 

quickly and address the backlog of outdated plans through the next 10-15 years. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Release of Land Management Plans: In 2022, four land management revisions were completed including: the 

Carson National Forest, Santa Fe National Forest, and Cibola National Forest in the Southwest Region (Region 03), 

and the Custer-Gallatin National Forest in the Northern Region (Region 01). In 2023, the Forest Service will 

continue work in progress on eleven land management plan revisions and initiate four new land management plan 

revisions, plus broad-scale amendments to 19 land management plans in the Northwest Forest Plan area.

56 

Completion of Monitoring Program Review and Evaluation Process Pilot: In January 2022 the monitoring program 

review and evaluation process that has been established in the proposed (currently open for comment to the public) 

NFS Monitoring Policy (Forest Service Manual Chapter 2040) was used to examine the structure of an existing land 

management plan monitoring program (Allegheny National Forest, Region 09). The review and evaluation process 

helps to ensure that monitoring is completed strategically and efficiently. The process supports decisions about what 

information is needed, the frequency it is needed, and at what land-management scale and scope it informs.

Program Evaluations

In 2022, one national Biennial Monitoring Evaluation Report (BMER) template and seven national BMER 

examples, based on the new template, were developed in collaboration with the Washington Office. Use of the new 

template, and regular engagement with regions and units to update BMERs, promotes development of clear and

concise, monitoring reports that provide information needed by decision makers to adaptively manage, and to the 

public to enhance transparency of agency monitoring results. 

After completion of the pilot review and evaluation process, the Allegheny National Forest’s updated monitoring 

program now includes 13 monitoring questions with 25 associated indicators, reduced from 67 and 71, respectively.

These updates refocus the monitoring program on the effectiveness of management activities at achieving desired 

outcomes, remove questions that monitor program functions, move monitoring questions out of the monitoring 

program that can be produced on demand, and streamline the format of the program and resulting report by 

consolidating multiple monitoring questions under a single, overarching question with multiple indicators. 

Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness

Current Activities

The Recreation program administers recreation sites, including campgrounds, day-use and dispersed areas, trails, 

and special use authorizations, such as ski areas, year-round resorts, and numerous outfitter and guide permits. This 

program provides recreational access to over 193 million acres on national forest system lands containing more than 

31,000 campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, and day-use areas; 220,000 miles of fishable streams; almost 160,000 

miles of trail opportunities, 33,000 special use permits, and 122 ski areas. The Heritage program supports the 

agency’s mission across most deputy areas by developing ways to streamline compliance with historic preservation 

laws while protecting more than 450,000 heritage sites. The Wilderness program administers designated wilderness 

areas (451 wilderness areas covering more than 37 million acres) and Wild and Scenic Rivers (130 Wild and Scenic 

56 The Northwest Forest Plan area includes all Region 06 units and the following Region 05 units: Klamath, Lassen, Mendocino, 

Modoc, Shasta-Trinity, and Six Rivers National Forests. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Rivers covering 5,065 miles).57 Visitor use and spending supports local businesses that provide guides, outfitting, 

transportation, food, lodging, and other services. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Rehabilitating Recreation’s Infrastructure: Over the past two years, outdoor recreation on National Forest System 

lands and sites have become more popular, with visitation to national forests and grasslands peaking at 168 million 

visits nationally in 2020. This increase has created challenges and opportunities in meeting new demands while

ensuring the safety of visitors and the health of the environment. In September 2022, the Forest Service announced 

$37 million in investments to improve vital recreation infrastructure located on national forests and grasslands, 

which includes $19 million for recreation sites and $18 million for cabins and historic buildings. The Forest Service 

is currently finalizing a list of approved projects, which will be available later this calendar year. Once approved, the 

projects are expected to be implemented within five years. These funds will improve visitor satisfaction on National 

Forest recreation sites.

National Visitor Use Monitoring: The Forest Service’s National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) data and results 

provide the only source of systemwide information on the status and trends for the Forest Service accomplishments 

in serving diverse publics through recreation. Through this program, the Forest Service can better understand visitor 

demographics, spending patterns, satisfaction levels, and activity participation related to recreation. Such data are 

used in forest planning, tourism development, recreation management, and reporting to Congress. NVUM data is 

also a key input into estimates of the economic contribution of National Forest visitor spending. This data will help 

the Forest Service determine the most popular destinations so that funding can be appropriated more effectively.

Wild and Scenic Rivers Program Partnership with River Network. For the fourth consecutive year, the Forest 

Service partnered with River Network on a national funding program that supports field-based wild and scenic rivers 

stewardship work. This program provides local organizations with funding support for work done in partnership 

with National Forests to steward congressionally designated wild and scenic rivers across the country. Strong local 

partnerships are critical to protecting and enhancing the river values in these watersheds, including sustained efforts 

to facilitate opportunities for equitable access to the enjoyment of these incredible natural resources. This program 

emphasizes projects that take a shared stewardship approach on rivers under Forest Service management 

jurisdiction. This shared stewardship of wild and scenic rivers includes not only ecological objectives to support the 

health of the rivers, but also social objectives such as facilitating opportunities for people to engage and enjoy these 

areas, with an emphasis on community members who have historically lacked access. Among the seven partnership 

projects funded through this program in 2022 include: 

• Curry Watersheds Partnership in Oregon – working with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest to 

engage community members of all ages, abilities, and cultures to protect the Elk and Chetco Wild and 

Scenic Rivers through river clean ups and educational activities.

• Flathead Rivers Alliance in Montana – partnering with the Flathead National Forest to implement 

components of a Responsible Recreation Plan to help steward the river and support visitor use on the three 

Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River.

Wildlife and Fish Habitat Management

Current Activities

This program manages habitats for fish and wildlife and contributes to maintaining the ecological conditions needed 

to support the diversity, viability, and productivity of plant and animal communities on the Nation’s forests and 

grasslands. The restoration and conservation of fish, wildlife, and plant habitats provides numerous benefits to both 

nature and society, ensuring that ecological services, amenities such as clean water, or recreational opportunities, 

such as wildlife viewing, or hunting remain available to current and future generations. Existing and emerging 

threats, such as habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species continue to threaten the ability of the National 

Forest System forests and grasslands to support healthy and diverse wildlife and fish populations.

In the continental United States, National Forest System lands contain a wide array of habitats, including 80 percent 

of elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat habitat, the majority of habitat remaining for rare and wide-ranging 

57 The 130 Wild and Scenic Rivers include 1025 miles of rivers and streams managed exclusively by the Forest Service and 285

managed jointly by the Forest Service and other Federal agencies. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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carnivores such as grizzly bear and Canada lynx, greater than 28 million acres of wild turkey habitat, and 50 percent 

of the Nation’s premier trout and salmon habitat.

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Aquatic Organism Passage: In 2022, the program focus included improving Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) on 

National Forest System lands and managing habitats to ensure aquatic and terrestrial species’ persistence, 

sustainability, and habitat connectivity. The agency and its partners upgraded or removed 96 road-stream crossings 

to reconnect over 80 miles of upstream aquatic habitat. Of the nearly $13 million invested to achieve this 

conservation milestone, about $3.2 million was leveraged by multiple Federal, State, Tribal, and non-governmental 

organizations. Restoring unimpeded fish and aquatic organism passage is one of the agency’s key strategies for 

adapting to a changing climate. Allowing fish and other aquatic species to move and find colder water, healthy 

spawning habitats, and refuge from floods and drought provides ecological resilience while building more floodresilient stream crossings to protect public access and transportation networks that communities need. 

Investing in Partners: Within the next five years one of the Forest Service’s main goals is to create 1,500 more fishpassage friendly culverts, dams, and irrigation diversions. This significant endeavor will be made possible by the 

continued commitment of partners, as well as supplemental funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

In these efforts in 2022, Forest Service has focused on enhancing and expanding partnerships with the Federal 

Highway Administration, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, many Native American Tribes, Trout Unlimited, numerous 

state fish and wildlife agencies, and state transportation departments.

Grazing Management

Current Activities

The Grazing Management program manages approximately 95 million acres (about half of all National Forest 

System lands) of rangeland resources on National Forest System lands to maintain a sustainable supply of forage for 

livestock, sustain water resources, and provide suitable wildlife habitat and ecosystem services. Program goals are 

met with support of partners, which include Society for Range Management, Public Lands Council, Sustainable 

Rangeland Roundtable, and numerous local livestock producer organizations.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Manage Grazing Allotments: Managing Grazing allotments is an intricate process that involves environmental 

impact analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, creation of sustainable management plans, and proper 

administration and monitoring of grazing permits and activities. This includes issuance of grazing permits, 

processing permit waivers, preparation, and processing of bills for fee collection, and development of annual 

operating instructions. Compliance monitoring determines if the terms and conditions of the grazing authorization 

are being properly implemented by the grazing permittee, with a focus on necessary actions to move toward or 

maintain healthy rangelands. 

Effectiveness monitoring determines whether the evaluated acres meet, are moving toward, or do not meet, resource 

objectives identified in the land management plan or other appropriate decision document and allows managers to 

determine whether additional monitoring or adjustments in management are required. The Forest Service tracks the 

number of acres that are administered to standard during a given fiscal year. Acres administered to standard is the 

metric used to track and report the actions related to the administration and monitoring of compliance with aspects 

related to term grazing permits. Acres administered to standard has improved from 29.5 million in 2018 to 30.7 

million in 2022.

Final Rule on Excess and Unauthorized Grazing: The Forest Service issued the Final Rule in 2022, which became 

effective on August 8, 2022. The rule gives the Forest Service authorized officer (typically the District Ranger) the 

authority to waive excess or unauthorized grazing fees if three conditions are met (the livestock owner removed the 

livestock by the date required by the authorized officer, the forage consumed was insignificant, and National Forest 

System lands were not damaged significantly). 

Forest Products

Current Activities

The Forest Products program promotes productive and sustainable use of National Forest System lands by 

supporting healthy and resilient forests and communities. This program benefits local rural communities through the 

sale of billions of board feet of timber annually, in particular those communities that have a significant timber 

industry presence. The Forest Products program fosters local and national level partnerships with organizations such 
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as the National Wild Turkey Federation, Trout Unlimited, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Forest 

Foundation, American Forests, American Forest Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and other leading national 

partners through its stewardship program, and through its coordination with county, state, tribal, and community 

partners to meet reductions in wildfire risk and improved forest health conditions.

Plan, and Prepare, Execute Timber Sales: This activity involves development of the proposed sale and harvest action 

across thousands of acres within large scale projects, identification of alternatives for consideration, and the National 

Environmental Policy Act environmental impact analysis in determining how best to meet long term forest health 

and desired condition objectives. In addition, this work includes determining the volume and value of the trees to be 

removed; timber sale layout and design, temporary and permanent road construction, and timber sale contract and 

permit preparation that typically takes from two to three years to complete. 

Timber sales help meet a broad variety of forest resource management objectives including hazardous fuel 

reduction, watershed improvement, adapting to effects of climate change, supporting local underserved 

communities, creating long term habitat condition, meeting bio-diversity objectives, and the production of timber. 

Removal of timber in combination with other commercial and non-commercial treatments such as prescribed fire are 

essential to meeting goals associated with restoration and fuels reduction. Planning and preparing for special forest 

product sales is also part of these efforts which includes firewood, botanicals, mushrooms, and other forest products.

A portion of this program assists low-income and minority communities in obtaining inexpensive or free firewood

for home heating and cooking. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Timber Volume Sold: In 2022, the agency offered and sold approximately 2.93 billion board feet through treatment 

of 560,435 acres. This was an increase from the 2.87 billion board feet sold in 2021, for a total value of nearly $187 

million. Sales included more than 500 contracts greater than $10,000, nearly 66,000 small timber contracts and 

permits, and over 21,000 special forest product permits. At the end of 2022, a total of 8.4 billion board feet were 

under contract with industry. In the Western states, a significant focus was placed on wildfire recovery from the 

2020 and 2021 seasons and resulted in increased removal of trees along roadsides to address hazards threatening 

public safety and to repair roads. Partnerships with state agencies such as the Oregon Department of Transportation 

(ODOT) resulted in completion of large sections of roads that could be opened to the public in 2022. 

Various special forest management programs contributed to this volume, including which included salvage sale 

funds, and other permanent and trust funds. Of particular note, timber volume using Collaborative Forest Landscape 

Restoration Program funding was over 157 million board feet (MMBF); and Good Neighbor Authority, 302 MMBF;

and stewardship contracting and agreements, 691 MMBF.

Working with States through Good Neighbor Authority (GNA): The agency continues to grow relationships with 

State partners using the Good Neighbor Authority, which allows States to restore watersheds and manage forests on 

National Forest System lands through agreements or contracts. Through these authorities the Forest Service has 

expanded capacity to make the National Forest System lands more resilient to climate change and address the 

wildfire crisis the nation faces by reducing the amount of hazardous fuels. A total of 378 GNA agreements covering 

a variety of restoration activities are in place across 38 States, with 40 new agreements implemented in 2022. 

Timber harvesting under GNA continues to grow; 302 MMBF were sold in 2022 under this authority, an increase 

from 286 MMBF in 2021. The 2018 Farm Bill expanded GNA authority to allow counties and Tribes to participate 

in the program. There are currently 15 GNA agreements with counties and 15 with Tribes, working primarily in 

resource areas surrounding wildlife and fisheries habitat.

Working with the Tribes through Tribal Forest Protection Act: The agency continued growing the implementation of 

2018 Farm Bill provisions related to self-governance agreements (often referred to as 638 agreements or contracts) 

under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-638). Partnering with tribes through the 

use of these authorities has been expanding. The Forest Service was also able to enhance the capacity of tribal 

partners through increased use of the Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA) authority. This authority allows Tribes 

across the nation to collaborate in the “planning and implementation of programs for the benefit of Indians in ways 

that are responsive to the true needs of Indian communities” through demonstration projects in which Federally 

recognized Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations contract to perform administrative, management, and other 

functions of programs of the Tribal Forest Protection Act. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) signed in November 2021 included $160 million intended to advance our 

work with the states and tribes through authorities such as the tribal forest protection act (TFPA) and GNA. In 2022 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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the Agency allocated $32 million to National Priority Landscapes and to Regions to prioritize work with the states 

and tribes. 

Collaboration and restoration through Stewardship: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141)

amended the stewardship authority to extend agreements and contracts from 10 to 20 years in locations meeting 

certain conditions. The Act also allows the cost of cancellation ceilings to be allocated in economically viable 

annual increments, relieving the forest unit of a large obligation in a single (first) year. The agency has 

operationalized the 20-year stewardship contracting authority by extending the current executed agreements beyond 

10 years and by entering into new 20-year stewardship agreements. Currently, the Forest Service has 15 agreements 

over 10 years in length. 

The below table displays accomplishments between 2018 and 2022. In many cases, multiple land management 

objectives are met through a single treatment activity. For example, a hazardous fuels reduction treatment can also 

improve wildlife habitat. These accomplishments not only result in ecosystem benefits, but also in forest products 

for manufacturing and energy production and the creation of jobs contributing to sustainable communities.

Some stewardship contract work and project development in was delayed during the last three fiscal years due to the 

COVID-19 pandemic, and some regions continue to evaluate the use of this authority.

Table FS-33. Actual Stewardship Contracting Accomplishments (2018 to 2022)

Measure Description

Measure 

Code 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Green tons of biomass made available 

for energy production

BIO-NRG 229,958 276,236 161,380 87,271 149,744

Acres of forest vegetation established FOR-VEGEST3,591 3,624 5,285 2,715 6,988

Acres of forest vegetation improved FOR-VEGIMP24,938 33,269 28,443 12,692 18,655

Acres of hazardous fuels treated to 

reduce the risk of catastrophic fires 

(non- WUI)

FP-FUELSNON-WUI31,696 49,574 58,307 52,573 52,686

Acres of wildland-urban interface 

(WUI) high-priority hazardous fuels 

treated

FP-FUELSWUI163,332 83,784 82,176 122,734 100,818

Miles of stream habitat restored or 

enhanced

HBT-ENHSTRM139 118 52 130 46

Acres of wildlife habitat restored or 

improved

HBT-ENHTERR19,530 14,736 67,345 83,625 10,360

Acres of noxious weeds and invasive 

plant treatments

INVPLTNXWD-FEDAC3,879 5,977 3,947 4,951 2,607

Miles of roads decommissioned RD-DECOMMI7 - - - -

Stewardship contracts and agreements 

contributing to watersheds in fully 

functioning condition

STWDCNTRCTAGRWTRSHD4 - - - -

Volume of timber sold (million board 

feet (MMBF))

TMBR-VOLSLD-MMBF754 859 888 670 69658

58 Source: geo-enabled Performance Accountability System (gPAS) Reports. Data sort: Initiative code of 

Stewardship." Timber Volume source: PTSAR reports
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The below table shows the acres awarded, number of contracts or agreements awarded, and volume awarded from 

2018 to 2022. The number of contracts or agreements awarded includes those where forest products are exchanged 

for service activities as well as those where excess stewardship contracting funds are used for activities without the 

exchange of forest products. 

Table FS-34. Acres Awarded, Number of Contract or Agreements Awarded, and Volume Awarded

Measure 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Acres Awarded..................................................................... 161,947 129,710 70,930 165,448 186,417

Number of Contracts and Agreements ....................................... 266 150 156 141 138

Volume Awarded (thousand board feet (MBF))........................... 793,374 859,060 888,000 670,399 696,583

Collaboration with local communities, from development through implementation and monitoring, is a key 

component of successful stewardship contracting and provides a sense of community ownership in the project, a 

better understanding by communities of natural resource issues, and increased public support. Collaboration also 

allows the Forest Service to tailor stewardship offerings that address local issues, needs, and capabilities. In 2021, 

the agency issued its new policy manual on stewardship contracting and agreements. This new manual lays the 

foundation for the successful implementation of the stewardship authorities. The corresponding handbook was 

completed and issued January 4, 2022. This new handbook led to improvements in the national End Results 

Stewardship Contracting (ERSC) course. The ERSC course trained 125 students with 3000 contact hours. 

Vegetation and Watershed Management

Current Activities

This program ensures the productive and sustainable use of National Forest System lands by improving the 

condition and health of forest and rangeland vegetation, controlling the spread of invasive species, sustaining soil 

productivity, reducing the risk of severe flooding and erosion in areas affected by severe fire, and maintaining water 

quality. This program also funds the Wild Horse and Burro program.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Wild Spotter Program: In 2022 the Wild Spotter Program, a citizen science, multi-partner invasive species detection 

initiative, was expanded to all 154 National Forests and Grasslands and added dozens of new partnerships and 

volunteer capacity opportunities. The program expanded by 2,087 additional Smartphone App downloads for both 

Apple and Android technology and increased the number of new Wild Spotter users (Citizen Scientists) by 5,112. 

Wild Spotter marketing and promotion through social media tools increased the number of new Facebook “likes” by 

3,549 and received 625,015 Facebook post reaches during 2022. Further expansion is planned in 2023 and 2024 to 

build Wild Spotter program capacity to find and map invasive species (any invasive plants, pathogens, vertebrates, 

or invertebrates) across the National Forest System and the adjacent landscapes and landownerships. Data collected 

is transferred periodically into the NRM FACTS survey/inventory dataset for invasive species on National Forests.

Program Evaluations 

Best Management Practices (BMP) Evaluations: In 2021 the Forest Service monitored BMP implementation and 

effectiveness at more than 400 sites. This information was used in 2022 for three primary outcomes: 1) improve 

protection of aquatic and riparian resources through adaptive management; 2) document the use and effectiveness of 

BMP for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses, supporting or strengthening environmental analyses 

for priority timber sale and fuels management projects, particularly landscape scale projects; and 3) to share data 

documenting compliance with the State Nonpoint Source Management Plan, as directed by the Clean Water Act.

Landscapes Improved, Maintained, or Recovering: In 2022, 29 percent of managed landscapes were either

improved, maintained, or recovered. The Terrestrial Condition Assessment (TCA) model was used to determine the 

ecological effects of management activities. This measure relies on management activities being completed this 

number is expected to increase with implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and Inflation Reduction 

Act. 

Minerals and Geology Management

Current Activities

National Forest System lands ensure the adequate and sustainable supply of domestic mineral and energy resources 

that contribute to the health, productivity, and overall wellbeing of all Americans. The benefits to society originate 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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from mineral extraction for the production of metals, alloys, and plastics, and the energy used to make, transport, 

and power the modern American life. The program secures and protects unique resources, such as fossils, caves, 

groundwater, wildlife habitat, and places of scientific, cultural, and recreational interest. The program protects 

people and the environment by monitoring and mitigating geologic hazards, like landslides, through the reclamation 

of surface resources for multiple recreational uses. Promoting economic growth, long-term healthy environments, 

sustainability for other forest uses, and stability for rural communities and underrepresented populations while 

enforcing the best practices for protection of the environment are pillars of this program. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Minerals and Geology Management’s Geologic Hazards area within the Geologic Resources program has provided 

funding and staff specialist support in 2022 to Region 1 regarding mitigation of the Hyalite Canyon landslide area in 

the Custer-Gallatin National Forest. Mitigation has included construction of a series of horizontal drains and stations 

to monitor drain effectiveness along the toe of the landslide; water buildup along the base of the landslide in the 

absence of drains has the potential to lubricate that base resulting in potential new destructive landslide events. The 

existing landslide area has the potential to impact access to the Hyalite Canyon recreational area on NFS lands, 

private residences below the landslide prone area, and the city of Bozeman’s municipal water supply. Preemptive 

landslide mitigation efforts like this significantly leverage agency funds: approximately $4 million dollars have been 

spent to date on mitigation, whereas cascading effects of a large-sale landslide event in this area could require an 

estimated $250-300 million to address repairs. The Geologic Hazards staff subject matter expert also facilitated 

hiring of a GeoCorps intern to leverage agency capacity and assist the Hyalite Canyon assessment and mitigation 

work.

Minerals and Geology Management’s Geologic Resources program area, in partnership with the Geological Society 

of America (GSA), manages the Forest Service GeoCorps America intern program which supported 32 projects and 

associated intern positions on Forest field units in 2022. These intern positions significantly leverage the capacity of 

field units to accomplish geologic projects. Coordination of the GeoCorps program requires substantive effort, 

facilitating drafting of Strategic Program Areas by field units, allocation of Minerals and Geology Management 

matching funds, coordination with the Washington Office and regional volunteer and service programs, facilitating 

and delivering informational presentations including mentor and participant webinars, establishing diversity, equity, 

inclusion, and accessibility goals for the GeoCorps Program based on the President’s Executive Order 13985; and 

participating in Federal Internships Community of Practice (FICOP) calls.

Land Use Authorization and Access

Current Activities

This program ensures the productive and sustainable use of National Forest System lands through various land and 

natural resource management activities in support of the social and economic wellbeing of rural and urban 

communities. The program secures and protects National Forest System lands and land interests. The Forest Service 

surveys lands in advance of timber sales, acquires rights-of-way, and administers road agreements necessary for 

public and agency access to complete activities, including timber production, transportation, recreation, and utility 

inspection.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Job Corps Special Uses Training/GIS Workforce Development Training: The Forest Service has faced challenges in 

effectively managing the Special Uses program due to increasing job vacancies in skilled Special Uses 

administrators. The Lands and Realty Management program, in partnership with the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps 

center, developed and piloted the Special Uses Workforce Development program, to expand the number of Special 

Uses administrators and to increase diversity in the field. As part of this two-year piloted program, students are 

trained in Office Administration and Special Uses before gaining on-the-job experience on Forest Service units. 

Following the program completion, students can gain additional experience with industry partners, complete college 

programming to earn a certification in Special Uses and compete for or convert into permanent positions with the 

Forest Service.

With the success of the pilot program, the Special Uses Workforce Development program is expanding its reach to 

other organizations seeking to introduce underrepresented groups to natural resources and provide training for 

successful careers in the agency. The Forest Service continued to expand this process to other specialty areas in 

2022. This will increase opportunities to gain professional employment and/or internships with the Forest Service.
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Law Enforcement Operations

Current Activities

Law Enforcement Operations’ primary focus is the protection of natural resources, the public, Forest Service 

employees, and visitors on National Forest System lands. Forest Service law enforcement staff provide a critical 

presence on a vast number of public lands, roads, and recreation sites. Staff conduct enforcement activities and 

criminal and civil investigations involving incidents of theft, assault, alcohol, and drug use; unauthorized motor 

vehicle use; illegal occupancy; trespassing; wildland fire arson; drug smuggling and manufacturing; fraud; and 

assaults and threats to employees. The program maintains numerous cooperative partnerships with local agencies 

and communities to provide a wide range of services. 

Law Enforcement staff provide an increased public safety presence, resource protection activities, and education to 

serve numerous communities. Law Enforcement staff ensured seamless communication and coordination with 

region and national staff to ensure Law Enforcement Investigation (LEI) mission capabilities and support to internal 

and external cooperators. 

The Forest Service maintains critical partnerships with other law enforcement agencies. In 2022, $5,049,717 was 

spent to maintain approximately 460 Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreements with State, county, and local 

partners. Under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Support Function (ESF) #13, Public 

Safety and Security Annex, the Forest Service collaborated with the Department of Justice and other partners to help 

with law enforcement emergencies during the fiscal year. 

LEI has proposed a series of programmatic activities that align with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation. 

Equating to a 1-year additional investment of $17.9 million, 3-year additional investment of $42.6 million or 5-year 

additional investment of $75.1 million. Sustainability and perseverance of LEI to meet the objectives of the BIL 

would be accomplished through organizational growth. LEIs organization has 544 sworn personnel currently 

working; seven of which are funded from outside of LEI funding sources. The proposal highlights an increased 

ability LEI will have to ensure public compliance with fire closure orders, fostering knowledge of the importance of 

fire safety and responsibilities. Participation in fire severity patrols, conducting wildfire cause and origin 

investigations and presentation of criminal and civil cases to the United States Attorney’s Offices for prosecutorial 

consideration. LEI also responds to the illegal manufacturing of controlled substances on National Forest lands. The 

illegal operations include the manufacture of methamphetamine and marijuana. These are the two most common 

types of illegal operations encountered by LEI employees. The manufacture of methamphetamine creates a 

substantial amount of biproduct that is identified as a hazardous material and requires consultation with the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remove and remediate the environment. The impacts to the land and 

watershed are obvious concerns in these operations. Highlighted above are just a few of LEI activities that align with 

BIL. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Information System Upgrade: LEI procured and implemented a new national Criminal Justice Information System 

to replace the legacy law enforcement reporting system. The new system provided significant improvements in data 

access, management, transparency, and sharing. LEI worked throughout 2022 to provide training and necessary 

upgrades and changes to the law enforcement information system. The new system is compliant with all 

congressional and DOJ reporting requirements. LEI was the first Federal Law Enforcement Agency to adopt a 

national cloud-based solution video data storage system, now required for Federal law enforcement by executive 

order. 

Multi-agency Marijuana Eradication: The Forest Service has continued to conduct multi-agency eradication 

operations and investigations to target marijuana cultivated on National Forest System lands and adjacent public 

lands and to prioritize clean up and reclamation activities in support of the National Drug Control Strategy. Drug 

trafficking organizations produce large amounts of trash, hazardous materials, and toxic chemicals that create a 

significant risk to wildlife, water, and habitat near grow areas. LEI continues to lead the Campaign Against 

Marijuana Planting (CAMP) initiative in cooperation with the California Department of Justice. During 2022, LEI 

and cooperators located 56 sites, resulting in 159,875 marijuana plants being eradicated: 27,443 lbs. of processed 

marijuana being seized; 248 aviation short hauls; 16 arrests; and 9 weapons seized. Reclamation occurred on over 56 

public land sites, resulting in the removal of 25,850 lbs. of infrastructure/refuse, 31,656 pounds of fertilizer, 47,346 

oz. of pesticides, 3,345 oz. of restricted poisons, 108,950 feet of water line, 51 propane tanks, and 15 man-made 

dams. 
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Hiring a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce: LEI continued the prioritization of building a diverse organization that is 

representative of the communities we serve and the continuance of protecting the National Forests in a fair and just 

manner for all visitors. In 2022, LEI successfully recruited and filled almost 100 vacant law enforcement positions 

(existing vacancies and new hires) across the program. LEI sponsored nineteen diverse Resource Assistant Program 

students for 2022, and coordinated the first ever all Forest Service, 24-person Land Management Police Training 

class at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act 

Current Activities

The Modernizing Access to Our Public Land Act (MAPLand) program focus is to digitize and make publicly 

available geographic information system mapping data relating to public access to Federal land and waters for 

outdoor recreation.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress 

Develop Interagency MAPLand Core Team: In 2022, the development of an Interagency MAPLand Act Core Team 

(Forest Service, Department of the Interior, and U.S. Army for Civil Works) committed to focusing on cross agency 

data standards and data sharing. To meet requirements of MAPLand Act, the Core team must develop national 

geospatial data standards that ensure compatibility and interoperability among applicable Federal databases.

Administering MAPLand and Investing in Partnerships: In 2022 the Forest Service led efforts to effectively and 

efficiently communicate and collaborate through sensing and awareness sessions with stakeholders, programs, and 

teams that will be executing the requirements of this law, including sessions focused specifically on diversity and 

inclusion. Through these efforts, the Forest Service identified a need to develop and collect data for the recreational 

shooting and hunting restrictions portion of the Act. We were able to utilize year-end funding to contract for the 

development of these standards and data collection efforts. 

The Forest Service is also engaging with the Protected Area Database (PAD-US) service and the Interagency Trails 

team to learn their processes and recommendations that will benefit public outdoor recreational use on Federal 

lands.59 

59 PAD-US is a national inventory of terrestrial and marine protected areas that includes data from many Federal agencies in 

coordination with the Federal Geographic Data Committee Federal Lands Working group. 
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CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT

Table FS-35. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars)

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $158,048,000 

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... +76,952,000

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 235,000,000 

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

The appropriations language follows (new language underscored; deleted matter enclosed in brackets):

1 Capital Improvement and Maintenance

2 For necessary expenses of the Forest Service, not otherwise provided for, [$158,048,000] $235,000,000, to remain 

3 available through September 30, 2026 2027, for construction, capital improvement, maintenance, and acquisition of 

4 buildings and other facilities and infrastructure; and for construction, reconstruction, and decommissioning of roads 

5 that are no longer needed, including unauthorized roads that are not part of the transportation system[,]; and for 

6 maintenance of forest roads and trails by the Forest Service as authorized by 16 U.S.C. 532–538 and 23 U.S.C. 101 

7 and 205: Provided, That [$6,000,000] $15,000,000 shall be for activities authorized by 16 U.S.C. 538(a): Provided 

8 further, That [$5,048,000 shall be for projects specified for Construction Projects in the table titled "Interior and 

9 Environment Incorporation of Community Project Funding Items/Congressionally Directed Spending Items" 

10 included for this division in the explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of 

11 this consolidated Act): Provided further, That funds becoming available in fiscal year 2023 under the Act of March 

12 4, 1913 (16 U.S.C. 501) shall be transferred to the General Fund of the Treasury and shall not be available for 

13 transfer or obligation for any other purpose unless the funds are appropriated] of the funds provided for facilities 

14 maintenance and construction, $60,000,000 shall be for installation of charging stations and related infrastructure to 

15 make national forests more accessible to visitors operating zero emission vehicles.

16 [CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE] 

17 [For an additional amount for "Capital Improvement and Maintenance", $150,000,000, to remain available until 

18 expended, for necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, 

19 hurricanes, and other natural disasters.] 

Change Description

The first change (lines 8 through 13 of paragraph 1) deletes language for Congressionally Directed Spending, and for 

Congressional deferral to the Treasury of authorized mandatory spending of National Forest System revenues. 

The second change (lines 13 through 15 of paragraph 1) adds language for installation of charging stations and 

related infrastructure to make national forests more accessible to visitors operating zero emission vehicles.

The third change (lines 17 through 20, paragraph 2) removes language for the Disaster Relief Supplemental 

Appropriations Act, 2023.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-36. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs) 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Discretionary Appropriations:

Facilities.......................................................... $54,037 17 $54,037 - $54,000 - $125,000 - +$71,000 - (1)

Roads............................................................... 68,632 50 70,645 - 73,000 - 71,000 - -2,000 - (2)

Trails............................................................... 17,438 28 18,500 - 20,000 - 24,000 - +4,000 - (3)

Legacy Roads and Trails................................. - - 5,000 - 6,000 - 15,000 - +9,000 - (4)

Construction Projects...................................... - - 10,867 - 5,048 - - - -5,048 - (5)

Subtotal, Discretionary Appropriations........ 140,107 95 159,049 - 158,048 - 235,000 - +76,952 -

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)a:

Roads (BIL)..................................................... - - 16,700 - 16,075 - 16,075 - - - 

Dams (BIL) ..................................................... - - 1,670 - 1,748 - 1,748 - - - 

Legacy Roads and Trails (BIL)....................... - - 41,750 - 37,688 - 37,688 - - - 

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law........ - - 60,120 - 55,511 - 55,511 - - -

Supplemental Appropriations:

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 115-123)b.. - 8 - 5 - 7 - 6 - -1

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-20)c.... - 2 - 5 - 7 - 6 - -1

Coronavirus Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-

136)d ............................................................. - 5 - - - - - - - -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-43)e.... - - 470,000 1 - 6 - 5 - -1

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-

328)f.............................................................. - - - - 150,000 26 - 24 -150,000 -2

Subtotal, Supplemental Appropriations........ - 15 470,000 11 150,000 46 - 41 -150,000 -5

Total, Adjusted Appropriations.......................... 140,107 110 689,169 11 363,559 46 290,511 41 -73,048 -5

Add back:

Transfers In and Out........................................ 264 - 11,880 - 16,489 - 16,489 - - -

Total, Appropriationsg ..................................... 140,371 110 701,049 11 380,048 46 307,000 41 -73,048 -5

Transfers Out:

Forest Service Operations............................... -264 - -11,520 - -8,729 - -8,729 - - -

National Forest System ................................... - - - - -7,400 - -7,400 - - -

Office of Inspector General............................. - - -360 - -360 - -360 - - -

Total, Transfers Out........................................... -264 - -11,880 - -16,489 - -16,489 - - -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Recoveries, Other............................................ 17,050 - 15,528 - 14,634 - 17,228 - +2,594 -

Balance Available, SOY ................................. 103,044 - 72,546 - 561,254 - 532,407 - -28,847 -

Total Available ................................................. 260,201 110 777,243 11 939,447 46 840,146 41 -99,301 -5

Bal. Available, EOY ....................................... -72,546 - -561,254 - -532,407 - -436,261 - +96,146 -

Total Obligations.......................................... 187,655 110 213,360 11 407,040 46 403,885 41 -3,155 -5

a The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) are advance appropriations and provides $72,000,000 each year from fiscal years 2022 through 2026 not including transfers. 

b P.L. 115-123 provided $91,600,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the calendar year 2017 fire season.

c P.L. 116-20 provided $36,040,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, and the calendar year 2018 wildfires.

d P.L. 116-136 provided $26,800,000 to prepare, prevent, and respond to coronavirus. Budget authority expired effective October 1, 2021.

e P.L. 117-43 provided $710,000,000 for necessary expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred between calendar years 2019 through 2021.

f P.L. 117-328 provided $150 million for necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.

g The discrepancy between the project statement and Max schedule X is reimbursable funds.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-117 

Table FS-37. Obligations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Discretionary Obligations:

Facilities.............................................................. $64,042 17 $50,353 - $59,099 - $106,295 - +$47,196 -

Roads................................................................... 68,031 50 69,731 - 74,772 - 73,572 - -1,200 -

Trails................................................................... 19,905 28 19,385 - 21,380 - 25,145 - +3,765 -

Deferred Maintenance and Infrastructure 

Improvements................................................... - - - - - - - - - -

Legacy Roads and Trails..................................... 70 - 3,654 - 5,077 - 10,915 - +5,838 -

Construction Projects.......................................... - - 4,101 - 4,458 - 2,776 - -1,682 -

Capital Improvement and Maintenance – Other . 2,143 - 18 - 12 - 17 - +5 -

Subtotal, Discretionary Obligations ................. 154,191 95 147,242 - 164,798 - 218,720 - +53,922 -

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)a:

Roads (BIL)......................................................... - - 15,262 - 13,660 - 15,544 - +1,884 -

Dams (BIL) ......................................................... - - 959 - 1,918 - 1,785 - -133 -

Legacy Roads and Trails (BIL)........................... - - 15,079 - 50,200 - 40,441 - -9,759 -

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law............ - - 31,300 - 65,778 - 57,770 - -8,008 -

Supplemental Obligations:

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 115-123)b...... 11,829 8 5,446 5 2,720 7 2,053 6 -667 -1

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-20)c .... 3,508 2 4,211 5 6,668 7 4,801 6 -1,867 -1

Coronavirus Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-

136)d ................................................................. 18,127 5 112 - 490 - 599 - +109 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-43)e .... - - 25,049 1 124,586 6 89,702 5 -34,884 -1

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-328)f .. - - - - 42,000 26 30,240 24 -11,760 -2

Subtotal, Supplemental Obligations................. 33,464 15 34,818 11 176,464 46 127,395 41 -49,069 -5

Total Obligations.................................................. 187,655 110 182,060 11 341,262 46 346,115 41 +4,853 -5

Balances Available, EOY:

Facilities.............................................................. 17,207 - 32,612 - 37,643 - 67,704 - +30,061 -

Roads................................................................... 7,046 - 10,053 - 10,820 - 10,647 - -173 -

Trails................................................................... 1,589 - 1,061 - 1,098 - 1,292 - +194 -

Deferred Maintenance and Infrastructure 

Improvements................................................... 93 - - - 47 - 48 - +1 -

Legacy Roads and Trails..................................... 1,178 - 1,429 - 3,657 - 7,862 - +4,205 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-118 

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Construction Projects.......................................... - - 6,766 - 7,356 - 4,580 - -2,776 -

Capital Improvement and Maintenance – Other . 2,512 - 2,411 - 2,094 - 2,875 - +781 -

Roads (BIL)......................................................... - - 1,438 - 2,539 - 3,070 - +531 -

Dams (BIL) ......................................................... - - 712 - 541 - 504 - -37 -

Legacy Roads and Trails (BIL)........................... - - 26,671 - 12,844 - 10,091 - -2,753 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 115-123)b...... 14,571 - 9,336 - 6,995 - 5,279 - -1,716 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-20)c .... 28,023 - 23,814 - 17,147 - 12,347 - -4,800 -

Coronavirus Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-

136)d ................................................................. 327 - - - 1,261 - 1,539 - +278 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-43)e .... - - 444,951 - 320,365 - 230,663 - -89,702 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-328)f .. - - - - 108,000 - 77,760 - -30,240 -

Total, Balances Available, EOY ............................ 72,546 - 561,254 - 532,407 - 436,261 - -96,146 -

Total Available ..................................................... 260,201 110 743,314 11 873,669 46 782,376 41 -91,293 -5

Total Transfers Out ............................................. 264 - 11,880 - 16,489 - 16,489 - - -

Recoveries, Other ............................................... -17,050 - -15,528 - -14,634 - -17,228 - -2,594 -

Balance Available, SOY ..................................... -103,044 - -72,546 - -561,254 - -532,407 - +28,847 -

Total Appropriation............................................. 140,371 110 667,120 11 314,270 46 249,230 41 -65,040 -5

a The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) are advance appropriations and provides $72,000,000 each year from fiscal years 2022 through 2026 not including transfers. 

b P.L. 115-123 provided $91,600,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the calendar year 2017 fire season.

c P.L. 116-20 provided $36,040,000 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricanes Florence and Michael, and the calendar year 2018 wildfires.

d P.L. 116-136 provided $26,800,000 to prepare, prevent, and respond to coronavirus. Budget authority expired effective October 1, 2021.

e P.L. 117-43 provided $710,000,000 for necessary expenses related to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters that occurred between calendar years 2019 through 2021.

f P.L. 117-328 provided $150 million for necessary expenses related to the consequences of calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022 wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-119 

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES 

The numbers and letters of the following listing relates to values in the Change (Chg) Key column of the Project 

Statement.

Facilities

Facilities under this section refers to dam and recreation facility maintenance as well as all facility capital 

improvement projects. Funding for maintenance of facilities that support our workforce are included under Forest

Service Operations Facilities. Dam and recreation maintenance includes projects submitted and selected through the 

National Asset Management Program (NAMP) as well as funding that is sent to the units based on a formula for 

general dam and recreation facility maintenance. Decommissioning of dams and recreation sites is also included in 

this section. 

Based on the number of projects and the project dollar amounts submitted through the NAMP process the agency 

was only able to address two percent of the project needs in 2023. 

Capital improvement projects that are tied to administrative facilities help address climate change initiatives for the 

agency in new construction and large facility modifications for expansion or change of use projects. In addition, dam 

maintenance and capital improvement funding can also target climate mitigation needs and conserving America’s 

lands and waters. 

Forest Service owned dams are compliant on approximately 20 percent of its Federal regulatory requirements. The 

estimated need for annual regulatory compliance and maintenance activities on Forest Service owned dams is 

$9,000,000 per year and deferred maintenance estimates are over $110,000,000. 

Dam assets are tied directly to climate change initiatives for the agency, as new construction and modifications of 

dams must comply with current climate (hydrologic) conditions. Many of the older Forest Service dams are now 

undersized in terms of capacity for current climatic conditions. These deficiencies leave the agency open to 

increased liability in terms of loss of life and economic consequences. Targeted dam funding can mitigate extreme 

climate events, decrease likelihood of flooding for underserved populations and tribal lands, and conserve limited 

water resources during drought conditions. 

(1) An increase of $71,000,000 ($54,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items: 

A) An increase of $11,000,000 will address the most pressing health & safety maintenance needs for our 

recreation sites, dams, and administrative facilities funded under this program including capital 

improvement needs for housing units used by seasonal personnel, volunteers, and partners. This will greatly 

impact our capacity needed to do the restoration work of our 10-year fuels strategy as well as recreation. At 

the requested level we will be able to address a portion of the needs that relate to caring for our employees 

and make a positive impact on recruitment & retention of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It will also 

increase our capacity to do the work outlined in the 2022-2026 USDA Strategic Plan. In addition, it will 

allow us to invest in repairs and upgrade to systems that will lead to better energy efficiency and reduced 

carbon emissions.

B) An increase of $60,000,000 for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) will support Direct Current (DC) 

Fast Charging infrastructure in publicly accessible locations to provide a benefit to the public, agency 

employees, and agency vehicles as soon as they are commissioned. This will also facilitate transitioning 

agency light duty vehicles to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) to support vehicle electrification goals 

mandated by Executive Order 14057. Publicly accessible charging infrastructure will be another avenue 

towards meeting the agency’s environmental justice goals. This investment will protect the environment, 

while improving public infrastructure and increase access for new visitors to National Forest System lands 

by ensuring all drivers of plug-in electric vehicles are able to access publicly available charging stations. 

One of the keys to success in supporting and growing zero emission vehicles is reducing the public’s 

concern about how far their vehicle can travel before it needs recharging. Expanding the network of 

charging infrastructure beyond the highway to many of the Forest Service’s visitor centers and ranger 

stations can help alleviate this concern and provide an economic boost to many small forest communities 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-120 

through increased visitation, while also reducing the immediate effects of carbon emissions from both 

public and agency vehicles.

Roads

The Roads program administers an extensive transportation network that is vital to the agency’s mission to sustain 

the health, diversity, and productivity of National Forest System lands. Forest system roads and bridges provide 

access for many purposes, including timber harvesting, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, mining, first responders in 

emergencies, and access for rural communities. This program is essential for the management, protection, public 

use, and enjoyment of 193 million acres of National Forest System lands, as well as meeting the agency’s timber 

target.

In 2024, the Forest Service will continue its work in maintaining the quality of Forest Service roads, which provide 

access to National Forest System lands while protecting water quality and natural resources. The agency will also 

continue the removal of fish passage barriers where Forest Service roads, bridges, and trails may be contributing to 

water quality problems in streams and water bodies that support threatened, endangered, and sensitive species or 

community resources.

In 2024, the Forest Service will continue to implement the Administration’s “America the Beautiful” initiative, and 

Forest Service Strategic Goals1 sustaining our Nation’s forests and grasslands and delivering benefits to the public. 

The USDA Strategic Plan includes objectives to foster productive and sustainable use of our National Forest 

System. The agency will also continue to implement road and bridge projects that will improve resilience to 

increased flooding due to climate change.

(2) A decrease of $2,000,000 ($73,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) A decrease of $2,000,000 would reduce capital improvements and maintenance of roads, bridges, and 

parking lots. It could also negatively affect priority access work for fuels reduction, watershed health, and 

other Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) related projects while maintaining prioritizing safe ingress and 

egress for forest communities and the recreating public.

Trails

The Forest Service trail program manages the largest system of trails in the nation—over 160,000 miles of trails that 

provide access for visitors to experience and enjoy their public lands, promote conservation of natural resources, and 

provide access for administrative purposes such as wildland fire suppression. The trail program also supports 

stewardship of more than 10,000 miles of congressionally designated national scenic and historic trails as well as 

national recreation trails, including administering five national scenic trails and one national historic trail. Agency 

staff work in shared stewardship with Federal, Tribal, State, county, and non-governmental organizations to provide 

these high-quality recreation opportunities and support local economies through recreation tourism. The trail 

program also includes the management of more than 7,500 trail bridges, which includes regular inspections, repairs, 

and replacement as needed. 

In 2022 more than 54,000 trail miles were maintained and over 1,000 trail miles were improved. 

Table FS-38. Forest Service Miles of maintained and improved trails by region in 2022 

Region

Miles 

Maintained

Miles Improved (new 

construction or 

relocation)

Northern 10,765 326

Rocky Mountain 6,949 220

Southwest 2,307 112

Intermountain 8,302 187

Pacific Southwest 1,839 36

Pacific Northwest 8,517 90

Southern 5,333 28
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-121 

Region

Miles 

Maintained

Miles Improved (new 

construction or 

relocation)

Eastern 9,902 125

Alaska 467 12

*Unknown 16 5

Total 54,398 1,141

*Indicates a region is not noted in the trail record and thus needs to be fixed in the database.

Of the trail miles maintained, approximately 50 percent were maintained by partners and volunteers, 47 percent 

were maintained by Forest Service staff, and three percent were maintained by Outfitters, Guides, and Contractors. 

Based on completion of trail and trail bridge condition surveys, total deferred maintenance costs for trails 

infrastructure are estimated at $489 million; deferred maintenance costs for trail bridges are estimated at $51.7 

million. 

The Forest Service trail program is working to implement several USDA and agency priorities:

• Through the Ten-Year Trail Shared Stewardship Challenge (Trail Challenge)2

, the agency is taking actions 

to make trails more sustainable and resilient to climate change. In addition to taking advantage of funding 

opportunities like Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) and the Legacy Roads and Trails Program, the 

agency is beginning to assess physical trail sustainability to identify “hot spots” where efforts should be 

focused to more strategically relocate or reconstruct trails to be more sustainable.

• The trail program is also working to promote more diversity, equity, and inclusion in trail program 

delivery. The program is funding partners to increase their outreach and engagement of traditionally 

underserved communities in trail program activities, such as through National Trails Day events and 

support of tribal youth crews. The Trail Challenge also includes a metric to track the extent to which local 

units are incorporating actions to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in program delivery. This metric, 

developed in collaboration with the Office of Civil Rights, is meant to track progress as well as help 

educate units on specific actions they can take to meet this goal. 

• The trail program is also taking actions to support USDA Strategic Goal #6: Attract, Inspire and Retain an 

Engaged and Motivated Workforce that is proud to represent USDA. The agency is developing tools and 

streamlining processes to better support staff at the field level. Examples include development of an online 

trail managers toolbox with best practice documents, modernizing the trails database to improve data 

collection, reporting, and evaluating trail workforce capacity. The trail workforce capacity analysis will 

enable the agency to clearly articulate key gaps in trail workforce needs and strategically seek out 

opportunities to increase capacity where needed most to enable the agency to best serve the public and 

accomplish its mission. 

(3) An increase of $4,000,000 ($20,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $4,000,000 would help provide long-term solutions to sustainable trails. The increase in 

funding will improve workforce capacity and contribute to effective and efficient program delivery with a 

focus on better customer service that provides sustainable trails.

The additional capacity would facilitate some increases in trail miles maintained, trail miles meeting 

standard, reduce deferred maintenance and allow the program to implement the National Strategy for a 

Sustainable Trail System (NSSTS)3 and the Ten-Year Trail Shared Stewardship Challenge at an improved 

pace.

Legacy Road Remediation

The Legacy Roads and Trails program’s role is to carry out projects on National Forest system roads, trails and 

bridges that improve resilience to extreme weather events, flooding, or other natural disasters; protect or improve 

water quality; restore habitat of threatened, endangered, and sensitive species; and preserve access for the public, 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-122 

contractors, permittees, and firefighters. Partnership opportunities with Trout Unlimited and the National Wilderness 

Stewardship Alliance are under development that will contribute to efficient and effective delivery of projects on the 

ground. 

In 2023, over 130 projects were submitted for Legacy Roads and Trails program funding. The Bipartisan 

Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for the Legacy Roads and Trails program funded nearly 100 of the submitted 

projects. These projects focused on road and trail improvements to prevent storm damage and improve resilience, 

culvert and bridge replacement to restore fish habitat, and decommissioning of unauthorized and closed roads to 

protect water quality. 

Interdisciplinary teams evaluated potential projects for effectiveness in addressing climate change such as improving 

road and trail resilience by rightsizing bridges and culverts in areas with greater flood potential and advancing equity 

and opportunity by prioritizing projects in areas with a greater degree of social vulnerability. 

In 2024 funding will be utilized for project implementation through agreements and contracts. Projects will continue 

to emphasize road, trail, and bridge improvements to increase resilience, restoration of fish and aquatic species 

habitat, and protection and improvement of water quality. The Forest Service will continue to implement the 

Administration’s America the Beautiful4 initiative, and Forest Service Strategic Goals5 by sustaining our Nation’s 

forests and grasslands and delivering benefits to the public. USDA Strategic Plan includes objectives to foster 

productive and sustainable use of our National Forest System. 

(4) An increase of $9,000,000 ($6,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $9,000,000 would support on-going Legacy Roads and Trails activities. The funding would 

be used to fund agreements and projects that improve resilience, ensure continued access, restore habitat, 

and mitigate detrimental impacts to sensitive ecosystems and watersheds. Program funds would be used to 

replace undersized culverts with structures that restore aquatic organism passage, improve road and trail 

resilience by hardening surfaces, reroute roads and trails out of flood prone areas, and add or improve 

drainage features. Funds would be used to protect watershed resources by decommissioning unauthorized 

routes. Additionally, funds would be used for additional work that promotes climate adaptation, and restore 

areas with unneeded roads and trails to a more natural state. 

Construction Projects

(5) A decrease of $5,048,000 (relative to $5,048,000 enacted in 2023).

Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending for Construction Projects was an item 

funded in 2023 enacted but was not included in the 2024 President’s Budget.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-123 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS OVER $1 MILLION 

SELECTED IN 2024

The Forest Service has a structured National Asset Management Program (NAMP) that incorporates the 

Comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan (CCIP) process. The NAMP prioritizes investments in capital 

improvement and maintenance projects and helps reduce the Forest Service’s deferred maintenance backlog. These 

projects will address improvements, repairs and rehabilitation of mission critical buildings, recreation sites, 

transportation assets and the decommissioning of projects. All capital improvement and maintenance projects, 

whether they are funded through the Capital Improvement and Maintenance (CIM) appropriation or through the 

Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) (P.L. 116-152), are included in the NAMP. 

Per Congressional directive in the 2018 Interior Appropriations report, the Forest Service is providing a list of 

planned national capital improvement and maintenance projects over $1 million. This list represents a long-term 

multi-year plan that addresses needed investments in facilities, recreation, transportation, and decommissioning 

based on the 2024 Budget request and using the NAMP prioritization process. This list includes projects that would 

be funded with Forest Service appropriations under the following budget line items: Facilities (CMFC), Forest 

Service Leases and Maintenance (FSLM), and Roads (CMRD); it does not include projects that would be funded by 

the National Parks and Public Lands Restoration Fund established by GAOA.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-124 

Table FS-39. 2024 - 2028 Capital Improvement and Maintenance Projects Over $1 Million Selected in 2024

Project Type Project Name Forest

Region

or Unit State

Congres

sional 

District 2024 a 2025 a 2026 a 2027 a 2028 a

Total 2024-

2028

Recreation 

Site

0907 Black River Waterfall Complex 

Platforms and Stair Replacement 

for Visitor Safety and Access DM

Ottawa 

National 

Forest

Eastern MI 3 $535,600 $505,623 - - - $1,041,223

Recreation 

Site

FC14 - Minersville Boat Launch 

Facility

Shasta 

Trinity 

National 

Forest

Pacific 

Southw

est

CA 1 159,135 265,225 $583,495 - - 1,007,855

Recreation 

Site

Twenty-mile Trailhead Construction 

for Improved Access to Portage 

Valley and the Iditarod National 

Historic Trail

Chugach 

National 

Forest

Alaska AK 1 - - 1,981,252 - - 1,981,252

Total Recreation Site 694,735 770,848 2,564,747

Facility Modoc South Fork Utility Shop Modoc 

National 

Forest

Pacific 

Southw

est

CA 1 $172,927 $954,810 - - - $1,127,737

Facility Ash Creek Guard Station Modoc 

National 

Forest

Pacific 

Southw

est

CA 1 217,485 2,010,406 1,174,947 - - 3,402,838

Facility Sierra National Forest Supervisor's 

Office 

Sierra 

National 

Forest

Pacific 

Southw

est

CA 1 360,500 6,695,000 - - - 7,055,500

Facility Forest-wide Engine Bay 

Replacement

Forest-wide Southwes

tern

NM 1 1,442,000 - - - - 1,442,000

Facility Jackson Fire Engine Bay 

Replacement

BridgerTeton 

National 

Forest

Intermou

ntain

WY 1 and 3 - 

- 

2,813,772 - 2,813,772

Facility Supervisor's Office Leased Office 

Purchase

Kootenai 

National 

Forest

Northern MT 3 2,350,000 

- 

 - - - 2,350,000

Facility Missoula Aerial Fire Depot 60-Bed 

Dormitory Modernization

Lolo 

National 

Forest

Northern MT 3 31,827 116,699 1,166,990 - - 1,315,516

Facility Palouse Ranger Station 

Improvements

Nez Perce 

National 

Forest

Northern ID 3 14,853 111,395 922,983 - - 1,049,231
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-125 

Project Type Project Name Forest

Region

or Unit State

Congres

sional 

District 2024 a 2025 a 2026 a 2027 a 2028 a

Total 2024-

2028

Facility Petersburg Office Consolidation and 

Work Center Replacement

Tongass 

National 

Forest

Alaska AK 1 2,728,340 

- 

 - - - 2,728,340

Facility PSICC SPL Buffalo Creek Fire 

Operations Building

Pike-San 

Isabel 

National 

Forest

Rocky 

Mounta

in

CO 1 4,000,000 

- 

 - - - 4,000,000

Facility North Fork Office Rehabilitation SalmonChallis 

National 

Forest

Intermou

ntain

ID 3 - 155,119 1,054,809 - - 1,209,928

Total Facilities 11,473,051 11,098,238 7,133,501 - -

Transportatio

n 

Bridge Replacements Group 2-Cisco 

Br Ontonogan River 6930-1.722 

and M Br Ontonagon River 5250-

4.46 for Safety Issues DM

Ottawa 

National 

Forest

Eastern MI 3 16,444 42,436 1,281,389 - - 1,340,269

Transportatio

n 

Bundled Road Surfacing and 

Pavement Maintenance

Forest-wide Intermou

ntain

UT/

WY/

ID

1 and 3 1,528,000 

- 

 - - - 1,528,000

Transportatio

n 

Minarets Road (4S81) Surface 

Treatment

Sierra 

National 

Forest

Pacific 

Southw

est

CA 1 954,810 954,810 954,810 - - 2,864,430

Total Transportation 2,499,254 997,246 2,236,199 -

Dam DM08 - Upper Letts Lake Dam 

Rehabilitation

Mendocino 

National 

Forest

Pacific 

Southw

est

CA 1 2,300,000 - - - - 2,300,000

Total Dam 2,300,000 - - - -

Decommissio

ning

Ericson Dam Idaho 

Panhandle 

National 

Forests

Northern ID 3 1,240,000 - - - - 1,240,000

Decommissio

ning

South Park Lake George Pike-San 

Isabel 

National 

Forest

Rocky

Mounta

in

CO 1 1,513,939 - - - - 1,513,939

Decommissio

ning

Harrison Experimental Forest Southern 

Research 

Station

Southern

Researc

h 

Station

MS 2 1,606,000 $ - - - - 1,606,000
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-126 

Project Type Project Name Forest

Region

or Unit State

Congres

sional 

District 2024 a 2025 a 2026 a 2027 a 2028 a

Total 2024-

2028

Decommissio

ning

0915 Bunker Removal Group 63 Midewin 

National 

Tallgrass 

Prairie

Eastern IL 6 - 1,441,384 - - - 1,441,384

Decommissio

ning

0915-Bunker Demolition Group 

66a2

Midewin 

National 

Tallgrass 

Prairie

Eastern IL 6 - 1,076,822 - - - 1,076,822

Decommissio

ning

Parsons Reservoir Dam Removal 

And Associated Stream 

Restoration

Monongahel

a National 

Forest

Eastern WV 2 - 2,060,000 - - - 2,060,000

Decommissio

ning

Allison Dam Removal Nez Perce 

National 

Forest

Northern ID 3 - 2,060,000 - - - 2,060,000

Total Decommissioning 4,359,939 8,698,206 - - -

Grand Total 21,326,979 21,564,538 11,934,447 - - -

a Budget year funding represents needed for a unit to implement a specific portion of the project. This amount does not always equal the total project cost.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-127 

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS

Table FS-40. Classification by Objects (thousands of dollars)

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Personnel Compensation:

Washington D.C........................................................... $29 - - -

Personnel compensation, field ..................................... 1,941 $783 $2,973 $698

11.0 Total personnel compensation................................... 1,970 783 2,973 698

12.0 Personal benefits.......................................................... 1,167 442 453 294

Total, personnel compensation and benefits............. 3,137 1,225 3,426 992

Other Objects:

21.0 Travel and transportation of persons............................ 225 142 373 373

22.0 Transportation of things............................................... 1,241 1,142 2,425 2,720

23.1 Rental payments to GSA.............................................. -5 12 7 7

23.2 Rental payments to others............................................ 97 -4 95 94

23.3 Communications, utilities, and misc. charges.............. 576 385 978 976

24.0 Printing and reproduction ............................................ 140 184 330 329

25.1 Advisory and assistance services................................. 34 6,212 6,356 6,023

25.2 Other services from non-Federal sources..................... 69,333 78,801 150,732 150,724

25.3 Other goods and services from Federal sources........... 60,276 48,557 110,742 110,817

25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities....................... 911 680 1,619 1,616

25.5 Research and development contracts........................... 4 - 4 4

25.6 Medical care................................................................. 46 10 57 57

25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment.................... 1,107 1,028 2,172 2,168

26.0 Supplies and materials................................................. 10,989 12,957 24,566 23,816

31.0 Equipment.................................................................... 1,496 3,822 5,211 5,266

32.0 Land and structures...................................................... 20,766 13,084 34,444 34,374

33.0 Investments and loans.................................................. - 752 765 764

41.0 Grants, subsidies, and contributions ............................ 17,118 44,345 62,541 62,714

42.0 Insurance claims and indemnities................................ 159 26 188 42

43.0 Interest and dividends.................................................. 2 2 4 4

44.0 Refunds........................................................................ - -4 - -

92.0 Undistributed ............................................................... 3 2 5 5

Total, other objects.................................................... 184,518 212,135 403,614 402,893

99.9 Total, new obligations............................................ 187,655 213,360 407,040 403,885

Position Data:

Average Salary (dollars), ES Position.......................... N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Average Salary (dollars), GS Position ......................... $50,214 $71,548 $74,839 $78,731 

Average Grade, GS Position ........................................ 6.8 10.1 10.1 10.1
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STATUS OF PROGRAMS

Facilities

Current Activities

This program includes funding for costs associated with Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), recreation facility and 

site maintenance, and maintenance/repair of agency-owned dams. The program manages the largest number and 

widest range of accessible recreation facilities and sites in the country, including campgrounds, picnic areas, visitor 

centers, ski areas, trailheads, shooting ranges, and interpretive sites. Dams located on National Forest System lands 

provide the largest source of municipal water supply in the country, serving more than 60 million people in 3,400 

communities across 33 States. The program also manages capital improvements of infrastructure used for fire 

suppression and fuels management, including aircraft maintenance and operations facilities, air-tanker bases, 

smokejumper bases, helicopter bases and helipads, fire engine bays, fire training facilities, retardant facilities, fire 

cache warehouses, and fire lookouts. The facilities program also manages capital improvements of Forest Service

infrastructure including administrative offices, research facilities, communication sites, warehouses, bunkhouses, 

and employee housing. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

National Asset Management Program: The Forest Service uses a robust infrastructure investment project selection 

process that involves both national prioritization and regional discretion to ensure local level needs are addressed. 

The National Asset Management Program (NAMP) has adapted to ensure the needs of the Great American Outdoors 

Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) deferred maintenance projects are captured and appropriately ranked 

and scored by various metrics to ensure each year’s project list provides the highest mission benefits for the 

investment being made in the agency.

Roads

Current Activities

The Roads program administers an extensive transportation network that is vital to the agency’s mission to sustain 

the health, diversity, and productivity of National Forest System lands. Forest system roads and bridges provide 

access for many purposes, including timber harvesting, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, mining, first responders in 

emergencies, and access for rural communities. This program is essential for the management, protection, public 

use, and enjoyment of 193 million acres of National Forest System lands, as well as meeting the agency’s timber 

target. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Addressing the Road and Bridge Rehabilitation Backlog: In 2022, the Forest Service addressed the approximately 

$4.4 billion backlog of road and bridge rehabilitation, and replacement needs by directing $10 million towards 

projects that improve access for agency activities and recreation opportunities. Another $59 million of appropriated 

funds were allocated across Forest Service regions to address annual and deferred maintenance (DM) that 

contributed to the total backlog of needed road and bridge work. The agency continued to implement comprehensive 

bridge construction and inspection programs to improve bridge quality. These actions help to ensure public safety, 

adequate access, and resource protection. 

Modernizing Engineering Directives: The Forest Service continues to modernize engineering directives and update 

policies that support critical mission goals that reduce time on tasks, creating efficiencies and streamlining 

processes. In 2022, the Forest Service added language to Directive Forest Service Manual (FSM) 7730 that 

addressed the use of the long-term or perpetual Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) road use permit 

form solely for granting a right of access to NRCS conservation easements so that the existing Memorandums of 

Understanding (MOUs) do not require continual reissuance.

Trails

Current Activities

The Forest Service administers the largest system of trails in the country. Stretched end-to-end, National Forest 

System trails would circle the globe more than six times. These trails provide access to national forest lands, foster 

partnerships and volunteerism, and generate health and economic benefits to communities through outdoor 

recreation opportunities and recreation tourism. National Forest System trails also provide connectivity with other 

trails managed by local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Of the nearly 163,000 miles of trails managed by the Forest Service, 98,500 miles are non-motorized, and 64,500 

miles are motorized. The Forest Service is the administrating agency for six congressionally designated National 

Scenic and Historic Trails (NSHTs) totaling 10,000 miles and is the managing agency for 16 additional NSHTs 

(details about NSHTs are in the National Scenic and Historic Trails Special Exhibit). The agency also manages more 

than 370 National Recreation Trails on National Forest System lands.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Trail Maintenance: In 2022, Forest Service staff, partners and volunteers maintained approximately 54,400 miles of 

National Forest System trails. Maintenance activities include clearing vegetation and downed trees from the trail 

corridor, cleaning out trail drainage features, such as culverts and water bars, replacing trail signs, and conducting 

minor tread repairs. During this same time, nearly 1,140 miles of trail were improved. This includes the miles of 

newly constructed trails, as well as trails that were relocated to a more sustainable location. 

Legacy Roads and Trails

Current Activities

The Legacy Roads and Trails program, provides for urgently needed road decommissioning where inaction can lead 

to water quality issues in streams and water bodies which support threatened and endangered species (TES) or 

community water systems. Road decommissioning activities include restoring lands occupied by roads to a more 

natural state. Roads to be decommissioned include both system roads and unauthorized roads that exist on NFS 

lands that are adversely affecting TES or community water systems. Decommissioning of roads is normally not an 

allowable use of appropriations under 23 U.S.C. 205 (Forest development roads and trails); however, Congress has 

included language in annual appropriations bills authorizing use of Capital Improvement and Maintenance funds for 

road decommissioning.

Projects include removal or replacement of stream crossing structures that are barriers to aquatic organism passage; 

road and trail repair and improvements and associated activities in environmentally sensitive areas; and repair and 

improvements on roads and trails subject to recent storm damage. These roads and trails have been identified as 

priority projects due to their immediate impact on water resources and ecosystem function. 

Operating a safe and efficiently sized road and trail system, designed and maintained to be minimally impactful on 

the environment, enables us to sustain our Nation’s forests and grasslands and deliver benefits to the public. Work 

accomplished through this program plays an integral part in restoration work carried out by complimentary 

programs such as Forest Management, Hazardous Fuels, and Vegetation and Watershed Management.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress 

Aquatic Organism Passage Planning: In 2022, approximately $1.5 million was invested in aquatic organism passage 

planning, design and construction projects to improve fish passage and National Forest System road resilience. The 

Forest Service also provided $1.5 million for the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance (NWSA) agreement for 

National Forest System trail improvement projects. In 2021, the NWSA partners successfully leveraged Forest 

Service funding six times over via the cost-share agreement. Additionally, CMLG funding was invested in various 

transportation infrastructure projects including six road and trail projects that included trail realignment and 

improvement, bridge rehabilitation, and road decommissioning.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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LAND ACQUISITION

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT

Table FS-41. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars)

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $814,000 

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... -

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 814,000 

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

The appropriations language follows (new language underscored; deleted matter enclosed in brackets):

Land Acquisition 

Acquisition of Lands for National Forests Special Acts

For acquisition of lands within the exterior boundaries of the Cache, Uinta, and Wasatch National Forests, Utah; the 

Toiyabe National Forest, Nevada; and the Angeles, San Bernardino, Sequoia, and Cleveland National Forests, 

California; and the Ozark-St. Francis and Ouachita National Forests, Arkansas; as authorized by law, $664,000, to

be derived from forest receipts.

Acquisition of Lands to Complete Land Exchanges

For acquisition of lands, such sums, to be derived from funds deposited by State, county, or municipal governments, 

public school districts, or other public school authorities, and for authorized expenditures from funds deposited by 

non-Federal parties pursuant to Land Sale and Exchange Acts, pursuant to the Act of December 4, 1967 (16 U.S.C. 

484a), to remain available through September 30, [2026] 2027, (16 U.S.C. 516–617a, 555a; Public Law 96–586; 

Public Law 76–589, Public Law 76–591; and Public Law 78–310). 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-42. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Discretionary Appropriations:

Land Acquisition............................................... -$5,619 12 - 2 - - - - - - 

Acquisition of Land for National Forests, 

Special Acts.................................................... 664 - $664 - $664 - $664 - - - 

Acquisition of Lands to Complete Land 

Exchanges ...................................................... 1,480 - 150 - 150 - 150 - - - 

Subtotal, Discretionary Appropriations............. -3,475 12 814 2 814 - 814 - - -

Mandatory Appropriations:

Conveyance of Administrative Sites................. 1,161 1 2,417 2 1,500 2 1,500 2 - - 

Site-Specific Lands Act..................................... 1,716 - 802 - 1,500 - 1,500 - - - 

Land Acquisition (Great American Outdoors 

Act)................................................................. 123,885 24 123,939 42 123,995 23 123,995 23 - - 

Subtotal, Mandatory Appropriations.............. 126,762 25 127,158 44 126,995 25 126,995 25 - -

Total, Adjusted Appropriations............................ 123,287 37 127,972 46 127,809 25 127,809 25 - -

Add back:

Transfers In and Out.......................................... 5,619 - - - - - - - - -

Sequestrations ................................................... 172 - -7,372 - - - - - - -

Total, Appropriations.................................... 129,078 37 120,600 46 127,809 25 127,809 25 - -

Rescissions........................................................ -5,619 - - - - - - - - -

Sequestrations ................................................... -172 - 7,372 - - - - - - -

Recoveries, Other ............................................. 3,174 - 943 - 2,997 - 2,855 - -$142 -

Balance Available, SOY ................................... 144,636 - 203,813 - 288,639 - 229,142 - -59,497 -

Total Available ................................................... 271,097 37 332,728 46 419,445 25 359,806 25 -59,497 -

Lapsing Balances .............................................. -633 - -162 - - - - - - -

Bal. Available, EOY ......................................... -203,813 - -288,639 - -229,142 - -149,503 - +79,639 -

Total Obligations................................................ 66,651 37 41,754 46 190,303 25 210,303 25 +20,000 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Table FS-43. Obligations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Discretionary Obligations:

Land Acquisition................................................ $25,596 12 $15,203 2 $70,341 - $70,341 - - -

Acquisition of Land for National Forests, Special 

Acts ................................................................. 594 - 664 - 874 - 874 - - -

Acquisition of Lands to Complete Land 

Exchanges ....................................................... 795 - 100 - 622 - 622 - - -

Subtotal, Discretionary Obligations ................ 26,985 12 15,967 2 71,837 - 71,837 - - -

Mandatory Obligations:

Conveyance of Administrative Sites.................. 1,278 1 3,463 2 3,293 2 3,293 2 - -

Site-Specific Lands Act...................................... 1,205 - 117 - 918 - 918 - - -

Land Acquisition (Great American Outdoors 

Act).................................................................. 37,183 24 22,207 42 114,255 23 134,255 23 +$20,000 -

Subtotal, Mandatory Obligations..................... 39,666 25 25,787 44 118,466 25 138,466 25 +20,000 -

Total Obligations................................................. 66,651 37 41,754 46 190,303 25 210,303 25 +20,000 -

Lapsing Balances ............................................... 633 - - - - - - - - -

Balances Available, EOY:

Land Acquisition................................................ 85,218 - 70,892 - 8,839 - - - -8,839 -

Acquisition of Land for National Forests, Special 

Acts ................................................................. 442 - - - 206 - 206 - - -

Acquisition of Lands to Complete Land 

Exchanges ....................................................... 1,735 - 936 - 1,243 - 1,243 - - -

Conveyance of Administrative Sites.................. 20,171 - 20,128 - 18,751 - 18,751 - - -

Site-Specific Lands Act...................................... 9,545 - 10,229 - 9,201 - 9,201 - - -

Land Acquisition (Great American Outdoors 

Act).................................................................. 86,702 - 186,454 - 190,902 - 120,102 - -70,800 -

Total, Balances Available, EOY ........................... 203,813 - 288,639 - 229,142 - 149,503 - -79,639 -

Total Available .................................................... 271,097 37 330,393 46 419,445 25 359,806 25 -59,639 -

Less:

Rescission........................................................... 5,619 - - - - - - - - -

Sequestration...................................................... 172 - -7,372 - - - - - - -

Recoveries, Other .............................................. -3,174 - -943 - -2,997 - -2,855 - +142 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Balance Available, SOY .................................... -144,636 - -203,813 - -288,639 - -229,142 - +59,497 -

Total Appropriation............................................ 129,078 37 118,265 46 127,809 25 127,809 25 - -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-135 

CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS

Table FS-44. Classification by Objects (thousands of dollars)

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Personnel Compensation:

Washington D.C........................................................ - $3,796 $3,063 $3,196

Personnel compensation, field .................................. $3,705 119 65 119

11.0 Total personnel compensation................................ 3,705 3,915 3,128 3,315

12.0 Personal benefits....................................................... 1,481 1,590 864 983

13.0 Benefits for former personnel ................................... - - - -

Total, personnel compensation and benefits.......... 5,186 5,505 3,992 4,298

Other Objects:

21.0 Travel and transportation of persons......................... 9 6 29 32

22.0 Transportation of things............................................ - 105 200 221

23.2 Rental payments to others......................................... 1 - 2 2

23.3 Communications, utilities, and misc. charges........... 2 - 4 4

25.1 Advisory and assistance services.............................. 114 30 275 304

25.2 Other services from non-Federal sources.................. 1,611 3,140 3,852 4,084

25.3 Other goods and services from Federal sources........ 118 334 362 446

25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities.................... 110 2 214 236

25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment................. 70 4 141 156

26.0 Supplies and materials.............................................. 6 91 185 204

31.0 Equipment................................................................. 15 432 452 407

32.0 Land and structures................................................... 58,983 31,317 180,280 199,650

41.0 Grants, subsidies, and contributions ......................... 422 788 307 251

42.0 Insurance claims and indemnities............................. 4 - 8 8

Total, other objects................................................. 61,465 36,249 186,311 206,005

99.9 Total, new obligations......................................... 66,651 41,754 190,303 210,303

Position Data:

Average Salary (dollars), ES Position....................... N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Average Salary (dollars), GS Position ...................... $87,100 $84,035 $87,901 $92,471 

Average Grade, GS Position ..................................... 11.5 11.1 11.1 11.1
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STATUS OF PROGRAMS

Land Acquisition

Current Activities

The Forest Service uses Federal land acquisition funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act 

of 1965 (P.L. 88-578) to acquire land within or adjacent to the boundaries of national forests and within Wilderness 

Areas and to acquire inholdings. Land acquisitions improve recreation and public access and create efficiencies for 

priority stewardship activities such as hazardous fuels treatments and watershed protection; and help create resilient 

ecosystems. LWCF appropriations also support land exchanges by funding cash equalization payments and needed 

staff. LWCF is funded by offshore oil and gas lease receipts, sale of surplus real estate, and motorboat fuel taxes.

The LWCF Act of 1965 was amended August 4, 2020, by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) (P.L. 116-

152) which provides up to $900 million in mandatory funding annually for all Federal land acquisition and State 

assistance programs across the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior. Following LWCF requirements, 

the Forest Service submits a list of priority-ranked projects annually based on LWCF, agency, and Administration 

priorities. These include creating new and enhanced recreation access, funding projects with substantial local 

community support, and conserving critical watersheds. All LWCF Land Acquisition projects contribute to the 

America the Beautiful initiative to preserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030.

In 2022, the Forest Service acquired 40,453 acres which provided recreation access, watershed protection, and other 

benefits. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Acquisition of Land in Idaho: The Salmon-Challis National Forest acquired the 110-acre Panther Creek property. 

This acquisition improves habitat for salmon and steelhead. It also provides access to heavily used trails for hunting 

and fishing on the Frank Church-River within the River of No Return Wilderness south of the main Salmon River.

Acquisition of Lands for National Forests Special Acts

Current Activities

These funds are authorized under seven “Special Acts” that affect eight National Forests in Arkansas, California, 

Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. Special Acts funds are appropriated annually from National Forest receipts generated by 

the occupancy of public land or from the sale of natural resources other than minerals. These funds may be spent on 

land acquisition either in the same State or same National Forest, depending on the specific language in the 

legislation that generated the receipts. These funds must be appropriated annually.

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Sequoia National Forest in California: Program funds are being used to acquire the 160-acre Red Hill parcel within 

the Sequoia National Monument. The acquisition will preserve giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) habitat, 

natural springs, and areas along the South Fork of the Tule River. 

Acquisition of Lands to Complete Land Exchanges

Current Activities

This program uses funds from the exchange or sale of National Forest System lands between States, county or 

municipal governments, public school districts, or other non-Federal entities to acquire similar non-Federal 

properties. Lands acquired using program funds must be in the same State as the lands involved in the exchange.

Conveyance of Administrative Sites

Current Activities

This program uses funds from the conveyance of administrative sites for maintenance, rehabilitation, and 

construction of specified projects that have received concurrence from both the House and Senate Committees on 

Appropriations. The program provides for the realignment of the agency’s facility portfolio by providing an 

incentive for local managers to liquidate obsolete or underutilized assets and reinvest in assets that best support the 

agency’s mission. This authority provides the opportunity to efficiently address current and future needs, reduce 

annual lease costs, and reduce the deferred maintenance backlog. Additionally, the program provides substantial 

economic and social benefits, including providing local communities with an additional tax base and opportunities 

for redevelopment to align with community plans and economic stimulus strategies.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-138 

Selected Example of Recent Progress 

Deposits into Sisk Act Fund: In 2022 the Forest Service received $641,000 in revenue received from the sale of land 

and structures, which are deposited into the Sisk Act Fund and are available without further appropriation, for the 

acquisition, improvement, maintenance, reconstruction, or construction of a facility for the National Forest System; 

and costs associated with the conveyance of administrative sites under this title. These funds will be used to reduce 

the deferred maintenance backlog. 

Site Specific Lands Act

Current Activities

This program uses funds from the sale of National Forest System lands pursuant to special Acts passed by Congress 

to be used for specific improvements to lands and facilities within the same national forest or State. 

The legislated project may include work functions such as notification, analysis, valuation, and realty case 

processing services; construction of new facilities; alteration of existing facilities to change their functions; and 

expansion of facilities to meet the needs of changing mission critical functions. Projects are identified annually 

through the legislative process. As a result, benefits and funds collected vary each year based on legislation.

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Creation of the Lake Okhissa Lodge: In 2022 the Forest Service completed the conveyance of 150-acres of land 

previously part of the National Forests in Mississippi’s Homochitto National Forest at Okhissa Lake in Franklin 

County, Mississippi. The acquired land will be used for a rural economic development project that will include a 

lodge-style hotel, conference center, and other amenities to attract visitors to the area, bringing increased economic 

benefits to a largely rural and underserved area.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-139 

OTHER APPROPRIATIONS

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT

Table FS-45. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars)

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $2,863,000 

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... +2,000,000

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 4,863,000 

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

The appropriations language follows (new language underscored; deleted matter enclosed in brackets):

RANGE BETTERMENT FUND 

For necessary expenses of range rehabilitation, protection, and improvement, 50 percent of all moneys received 

during the prior fiscal year, as fees for grazing domestic livestock on lands in National Forests in the 16 Western 

States, pursuant to section 401(b)(1) of Public Law 94–579, to remain available through September 30, [2026] 2027, 

of which not to exceed 6 percent shall be available for administrative expenses associated with on-the-ground range 

rehabilitation, protection, and improvements.

GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS FOR FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

For expenses authorized by 16 U.S.C. 1643(b), $45,000, to remain available through September 30, [2026]2027, to 

be derived from the fund established pursuant to the above Act. 

MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FOREST LANDS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES

For necessary expenses of the Forest Service to manage Federal lands in Alaska for subsistence uses under title VIII 

of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.), $1,099,000, to remain available 

through September 30, [2026]2027. 

COMMUNICATIONS SITE ADMINISTRATION (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

[Amounts ]For necessary expenses of communications site administration, $2,000,000, to remain available until 

expended, to be deposited in the special account established by section 8705(f)(1) of such the Agriculture 

Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–334): Provided, That amounts collected in this fiscal year pursuant to 

section 8705(f)(2) of [the Agriculture Improvement ]such Act [of 2018 (Public Law 115–334),] shall be deposited in 

the special account established by section 8705(f)(1) of such Act, shall be available to cover the costs described in 

subsection (c)(3) of such section of such Act, and shall remain available until expended: Provided further, That 

[such]amounts made available under this heading shall be transferred to the "National Forest System" account. 

Change Description

The first change (lines 1 through 3 of paragraph 4) adds language for funding for communications site 

administration. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-140 

PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-46. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Discretionary Appropriations:

Range Betterment Fund............................... $2,741 3 $1,719 - $1,719 - $1,719 - - - 

Gifts, Donations, and Bequests for Forest 

and Rangeland Research .......................... - - 45 - 45 - 45 - - - 

Management of National Forest Lands for 

Subsistence Uses...................................... 1,099 1 1,099 - 1,099 - 1,099 - - - 

Communication Site Administration........... - - - - - - 2,000 - +$2,000 - (1)

Subtotal, Discretionary Appropriations.... 3,840 4 2,863 - 2,863 - 4,863 - +2,000 -

Total, Adjusted Appropriations...................... 3,840 4 2,863 - 2,863 - 4,863 - +2,000 -

Total, Appropriations.................................. 3,840 4 2,863 - 2,863 - 4,863 - +2,000 -

Transfers Out:

National Forest System ............................... - - - - - - -2,000 - -2,000 -

Total, Transfers Out....................................... - - - - - - -2,000 - -2,000 -

Recoveries, Other ....................................... 83 - 28 - 61 - 44 - -17 -

Balance Available, SOY ............................. 2,525 - 2,733 - 1,956 - 1,295 - -661 -

Total Available ............................................. 6,448 4 5,624 - 4,880 - 4,202 - -678 -

Bal. Available, EOY ................................... -2,733 - -1,956 - -1,295 - -632 - +663 -

Total Obligations.......................................... 3,715 4 3,668 - 3,585 - 3,570 - -15 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-141 

Table FS-47. Obligations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Discretionary Obligations:

Range Betterment Fund...................................... $2,494 3 $2,558 - $2,209 - $2,443 - +$234 -

Gifts, Donations, and Bequests for Forest and 

Rangeland Research ........................................ 3 - 1 - 2 - 2 - - -

Management of National Forest Lands for 

Subsistence Uses............................................. 1,218 1 1,109 - 1,374 - 1,125 - -249 -

Subtotal, Discretionary Obligations ................ 3,715 4 3,668 - 3,585 - 3,570 - -15 -

Total Obligations................................................. 3,715 4 3,668 - 3,585 - 3,570 - -15 -

Balances Available, EOY:

Range Betterment Fund...................................... 2,534 - 1,764 - 1,187 - 580 - -607 -

Gifts, Donations, and Bequests for Forest and 

Rangeland Research ........................................ 113 - 112 - 62 - 30 - -32 -

Management of National Forest Lands for 

Subsistence Uses............................................. 86 - 80 - 46 - 22 - -24 -

Total, Balances Available, EOY ........................... 2,733 - 1,956 - 1,295 - 632 - -663 -

Total Available .................................................... 6,448 4 5,624 - 4,880 - 4,202 - -678 -

Less:

Recoveries, Other .............................................. -83 - -28 - -61 - -44 - +17 -

Balance Available, SOY .................................... -2,525 - -2,733 - -1,956 - -1,295 - +661 -

Total Appropriation............................................ 3,840 4 2,863 - 2,863 - 4,863 - +2,000 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-142 

JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES

The numbers and letters of the following listing relates to values in the Change (Chg) Key column of the Project 

Statement. 

Communication Site Administration 

The Forest Service authorizes the use and occupancy of National Forest System lands for communications facilities 

and authorizes the use and occupancy of Federally owned facilities under Forest Service jurisdiction. 

Communications uses on National Forest System lands are an integral part of the Nation’s communications 

infrastructure. Specifically, they provide critical links for national security, emergency services, personal 

communications – including broadband to urban and rural communities – and hydroelectric, gas pipeline, and 

electric transmission facilities. 

This program currently administers approximately 3,800 special use authorizations for wireless communications 

uses (the authorized infrastructure supports over 10,000 wireless uses) at 1,367 communications sites; and more than 

500 special use authorizations for wired (fiber optic cable) communications uses. The Forest Service continues to 

experience an increase in demand for use and occupancy on National Forest System lands for these critical 

communications services, especially for broadband deployment. 

In 2024, the funding would allow the Forest Service to provide oversight and identify and implement improvements 

to the program. Additionally, funding will provide training to employees, enhance administration of existing 

authorizations and automated applications, and fund the national billing team. 

(1) An increase of $2,000,000 ($0 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items: 

An increase of $2,000,000 would improve the management of the communications use program. The 

Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334) requires the Forest Service to charge an 

annual programmatic administrative fee for communications use authorizations to cover the costs of 

administering its communications use program. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 also authorizes 

the Forest Service to retain and spend the revenues it collects for this fee. In 2023, the Forest Service 

expects to publish a final rule implementing the annual programmatic administrative fee. The final rule will 

include an exemption from the programmatic administrative fee for Federal, state, and local governmental 

entities, other than municipal utilities and cooperatives; noncommercial entities; and amateur radio 

operators. This exemption will result in an estimated $2,000,000 shortfall in revenue, unless the $2,000,000 

annual appropriation in the 2024 President’s Budget is enacted.

This $2,000,000 funding increase would support enhanced deployment of wireless and fiber optic cable 

communications services, including broadband services to unserved and underserved rural communities. 

This funding would also expand capabilities that would benefit urban and rural communities, enable greater 

coordination in emergency response situations, and increase overall safety for visitors, agency staff, and 

first responders. This work is one example of how Forest Service supports OMB memo M-22-10, 

Improving Access to Public Benefits Programs Through the Paperwork Reduction Act, to reduce the 

burden on the public to access public benefit programs by removing potential barriers that underserved 

communities and individuals may face in enrollment in and access to benefits and services in Federal 

programs. 

The Forest Service expects to begin implementing the programmatic administrative fees in 2024. The 

$2,000,000 annual appropriation is in addition to the revenue the Forest Service would collect when it 

implements the programmatic administrative fee. 
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CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS

Table FS-48. Classification by Objects (thousands of dollars) 

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Personnel Compensation:

Personnel compensation, field ..................................... $89 -$7 - -

11.0 Total personnel compensation................................... 89 -7 - -

12.0 Personal benefits.......................................................... 3 -2 - -

Total, personnel compensation and benefits............. 92 -9 - -

Other Objects:

21.0 Travel and transportation of persons............................ 7 2 $4 $4

22.0 Transportation of things............................................... 4 5 4 4

23.3 Communications, utilities, and misc. charges.............. 1 3 2 2

25.2 Other services from non-Federal sources..................... 915 287 590 588

25.3 Other goods and services from Federal sources........... 513 231 365 364

25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities....................... - 1 - -

25.6 Medical care................................................................. - 1 - -

25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment.................... 28 19 23 23

26.0 Supplies and materials................................................. 1,925 1,997 1,929 1,920

31.0 Equipment.................................................................... 56 138 95 95

32.0 Land and structures...................................................... 3 - 1 1

41.0 Grants, subsidies, and contributions ............................ 171 993 572 569

Total, other objects.................................................... 3,623 3,677 3,585 3,570

99.9 Total, new obligations............................................ 3,715 3,668 3,585 3,570

Position Data:

Average Salary (dollars), ES Position.......................... N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Average Salary (dollars), GS Position ......................... $42,394 $42,394 $44,344 $46,650 

Average Grade, GS Position ........................................ 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.4
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STATUS OF PROGRAMS

Other Appropriations include four programs: Range Betterment Fund; Gifts, Donations, and Bequests for Forest and 

Rangeland Research; Management of National Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses; and Communication Site 

Administration. 

Range Betterment Fund

Current Activities

This program uses collections from grazing fees to implement range improvements on National Forest System lands 

within the 16 contiguous western States. One-half of funds are allocated to the unit where grazing fees were 

collected; the remaining one-half are distributed within the region where the collections were derived. Range 

improvements within allotments include, but are not limited to, seeding and reseeding, fence construction, water 

development, weed and other plant control, and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement. Implementation of range 

betterment projects and activities help reduce range deterioration, improve forage conditions with resulting benefits 

to wildlife, provide watershed protection, and increase livestock production. 

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Improving Allotments: In 2022, the Pacific Northwest Region (Region 06) purchased and installed approximately 

two miles of steel barbed-wire fence for bull trout spawning, rearing habitat protection and improvements on a cattle 

allotment. Region 06 also purchased and applied herbicide to treat hundreds of acres of toadflax, spotted knapweed, 

and leafy spurge on multiple sheep grazing allotments. Treatments improved native species diversity, soil stability 

and production, wildlife forage and habitat, and improved livestock forage. 

Gifts, Donations, and Bequests for Forest and Rangeland Research

This program uses gifts, donations, bequests of money, real property, or personal property for the establishment or 

operation of Forest Service research facilities, or to perform activities related to rangeland renewable resource 

research. The Forest Service continues to receive donations from individuals and businesses for research work units 

and other organizational sub-units to further their research and development programs.

Management of National Forest Lands for Subsistence Use

Current Activities

The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) (16 U.S.C. 3101 or P.L. 96-487) provides rural 

Alaskan residents a subsistence priority to harvest fish and wildlife on Federal lands over sport and commercial 

uses. ANILCA authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue regulations relevant to the taking of fish and wildlife 

on public lands in the State of Alaska. Funding supports fish and wildlife management projects to sustainably 

manage subsistence harvesting activities on National Forest lands in Alaska. 

Table FS-49. 2022 Fisheries Resource Monitoring Program Projects on the Tongass National Forest in Southeast 

Alaska (in dollars).

Project Cooperator Project Cost

Hetta Lake Sockeye Salmon Stock Assessment Hydaburg Cooperative Association $168,829

Neva Lake Sockeye Salmon Stock Assessment Hoonah Indian Association 118,182

Sitkoh Lake Sockeye Salmon Stock Assessment Angoon Community Association 92,749

Klag Lake Sockeye Salmon Stock Assessment Sitka Tribe of Alaska 202,039

Southeast Alaska Eulachon Population Dynamics 

Monitoring

Chilkoot Indian Association 207,062

Icy Strait Community Household Subsistence Harvest 

Surveys and Documenting Subsistence Harvest Patterns

Alaska Department of Fish and Game 9,610

Estimating In-season Harvests of the Klawock River 

Salmon Subsistence Fishery

Alaska Department of Fish and Game 58,398

Total, Fisheries Resource Monitoring Program Projects 856,869

 

In 2022, the Forest Service established a new funding mechanism for agreements using the ANILCA authority that

replaced the use of contracts. The ANILCA funding authority is used to fund FRMP projects and does not limit 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-146 

agreements to local individuals or groups. Researchers from universities, state and Federal agencies, or other 

organizations may submit FRMP proposals to study subsistence harvest patterns, traditional ecological knowledge, 

and stocks status and trends. The FRMP program has a rigorous review process where a team of experts from State 

and Federal agencies called the Technical Review Committee (TRC) to evaluate proposed projects for funding using 

five criteria: (1) strategic priorities; (2) technical-scientific merit; (3) investigator ability and resources; (4) 

partnership and capacity building; and (5) cost/benefit. This program provides funding for regulatory, informationgathering, law enforcement, education, and employment activities. 

The management of National Forest lands for subsistence uses plays a vital role in sustaining the health of rural 

Alaskan communities by ensuring that healthy fish and wildlife populations are available to provide a reliable food 

supply for eligible residents. The Federal Subsistence Management Program also plays an important role in 

providing employment in rural Alaska areas where such opportunities are limited. The Forest Service supports the 

subsistence way of life in rural communities by implementing critical monitoring and management activities using 

funds specifically allocated toward subsistence uses on National Forest lands. 

In partnership with the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service continued to a contribute to and work 

cooperatively within the Alaska Federal Subsistence Management Program. Activities included annual rulemaking, 

fish and wildlife monitoring, law enforcement and education, employment, and capacity building. The Forest 

Service regularly consulted with Alaska Tribes and Native Corporations to comply with presidential and secretarial 

policy direction and to be respectful of the current and historical role of Native Alaskans and other Federally 

qualified rural subsistence users, while managing for customary and traditional subsistence uses. 

Forest Service subsistence resource monitoring provides valuable information and helps build collaborative 

relationships with other Federal, State and Tribal partners. Forest Service involvement in the FRMP has also helps to 

build capacity in local Tribal governments involved in increasingly complicated and labor-intensive scientific 

research, inventory and monitoring projects, and Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge studies. This work 

has helped Tribal organizations effectively participate in regulatory decision-making by the State and Federal 

governments regarding wildlife and fisheries issues.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Wildlife Monitoring: In 2022, $37,590 was allocated for monitoring black bear, deer, moose, and mountain goat 

populations on the Chugach National Forest. On the Tongass National Forest, $78,465 was allocated for deer, 

moose, and mountain goat surveys. These additional surveys can be used for multiple objectives, but a main use is to 

understand how Forest Service management of lands effects the populations of these species. In addition, $23,050 

helped fund the Sitka Conservation Society work with youth and $45,000 went to a Vets Work internship. As in 

previous years, $50,000 of subsistence funds were allocated to supplement Law Enforcement within the Alaska 

Region of the Forest Service, which allows the Forest Service to maintain Law Enforcement personnel in remote 

areas. 

Communications Site Administration

Current Activities

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334), as amended, required the Forest Service to issue 

regulations to streamline the process for evaluation applications for communications facilities on National Forest 

System lands and charge a programmatic administrative fee for communications use authorizations to cover the cost 

of the Forest Service’s communications use program. This program supports the USDA Rural Development’s effort 

to increase broadband access to rural communities, the American Broadband Initiative to increase private-sector 

investment in broadband networks on Federal lands, and the deployment of the nationwide wireless broadband 

network dedicated to public safety (FirstNet). Rural and urban communities depend on National Forest System lands 

for critical communications services, including emergency services, internet service, cellular communications, 

television, and radio.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT

Table FS-50. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars)

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $945,956,000 

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... +2,024,664,000 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 2,970,620,000 

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

The appropriations language follows (new language underscored; deleted matter enclosed in brackets):

1 Wildland Fire Management

2 For necessary expenses for forest fire presuppression activities on National Forest System lands, for emergency 

3 wildland fire suppression on or adjacent to such lands or other lands under fire protection agreement, and for 

4 emergency rehabilitation of burned-over National Forest System lands and water, [$945,956,000]$2,970,620,000, to 

5 remain available until expended: Provided, That such funds, including unobligated balances under this heading, are 

6 available for repayment of advances from other appropriations accounts previously transferred for such purposes[: 

7 Provided further, That any unobligated funds appropriated in a previous fiscal year for hazardous fuels management 

8 may be transferred to the "National Forest System" account]: Provided further, That such funds shall be available to 

9 reimburse State and other cooperating entities for services provided in response to wildfire and other emergencies or 

10 disasters to the extent such reimbursements by the Forest Service for non-fire emergencies are fully repaid by the 

11 responsible emergency management agency: Provided further, That funds provided shall be available for support to 

12 Federal emergency response: Provided further, That the costs of implementing any cooperative agreement between 

13 the Federal Government and any non-Federal entity may be shared, as mutually agreed on by the affected parties: 

14 Provided further, That of the funds provided under this heading, $322,988,000 shall be for hazardous fuels 

15 management activities, of which $1,600,000 shall be available for the hire and purchase of zero emission passenger 

16 motor vehicles and supporting charging or fueling infrastructure, and of which not to exceed $15,000,000 may be 

17 used to make grants, using any authorities available to the Forest Service under the "State and Private Forestry" 

18 appropriation, for the purpose of creating incentives for increased use of biomass from National Forest System 

19 lands: Provided further, That funds made available in the previous proviso to implement the Community Forest 

20 Restoration Act, Public Law 106–393, title VI, shall be available for use on non-Federal lands in accordance with 

21 authorities made available to the Forest Service under the "State and Private Forestry" appropriation: Provided 

22 further, That of the funds provided under this heading, $20,000,000 may be used by the Secretary of Agriculture to 

23 enter into procurement contracts or cooperative agreements; to issue grants for hazardous fuels management 

24 activities, for training or monitoring associated with such hazardous fuels management activities on Federal land, or 

25 for training or monitoring associated with such hazardous fuels management activities on non-Federal land if the 

26 Secretary determines such activities benefit resources on Federal land: Provided further, That of the funds provided 

27 under this heading, $1,011,000,000 shall be available for wildfire suppression operations, and is provided as the 

28 average costs of wildfire suppression operations to the meet the terms of a concurrent resolution on the budget.

29 [WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT] 

30 [For an additional amount for "Wildland Fire Management", $375,000,000, to remain available until expended, for 

31 wildland fire suppression activities. ] [For an additional amount for "Wildland Fire Management", $1,171,000,000, 

32 to remain available until expended: Provided, That of the funds provided under this paragraph in this Act,

33 $1,011,000,000 shall be available for wildfire suppression operations, and is provided to meet the terms of section 

34 4004(b)(5)(B) of S. Con. Res. 14 (117th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2022, and 

35 section 1(g)(2) of H. Res. 1151 (117th Congress), as engrossed in the House of Representatives on June 8, 2022: 

36 Provided further, That of the funds provided under this paragraph in this Act, $160,000,000 shall be available for 

37 forest fire presuppression.]
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Change Description

The first change (lines 6 and 8 of paragraph 1) deletes language hazardous fuels management transfer to National 

Forest Systems. 

The second change (lines 14 through 28 of paragraph 1) adds language for hazardous fuels and available authorities.

The third change (lines 29 through 37, paragraph 2) removes language for the Disaster Relief Supplemental 

Appropriations Act, 2023.
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PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-51. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE Inc. or Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Chg 

Key

Discretionary Appropriations:

Preparedness........................................ $148,465 596 $172,000 - $32,000 - $208,000 - +$176,000 - (1)

Suppression Operations....................... 3,778,528 1,156 1,011,000 542 - - 1,011,000 456 +1,011,000 +456 (2)

Fuels Management (Hazardous Fuels 

Reduction)a....................................... - - - - - - 322,988 - +322,988 - (3)

FireGuard....................................... - - - - - - 6,000 - +6,000 - (4)

Salaries and Expenses......................... 764,241 8,529 822,106 9,174 913,956 9,749 1,422,632 14,382 +508,676 +4,633 (5)

Subtotal, Discretionary 

Appropriations............................... 4,691,234 10,281 2,005,106 9,716 945,956 9,749 2,970,620 14,838 +2,024,664 +5,089

Base or Recurring Discretionary 

Funding Designated as Emergencyd:

Preparedness........................................ - - - - 160,000 - - - -160,000 -

Suppression Operations....................... - - - - 1,011,000 639 - - -1,011,000 -639

Subtotal, Base or Recurring 

Discretionary Funding Designated 

as Emergency ................................ - - - - 1,171,000 - - - -1,171,000 -

Subtotal, Discretionary 

Appropriations........................ 2,116,956

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-

58)b:

Preparedness (BIL).............................. - - 22,397 - 10,000 - 10,000 - - -

Burned Area Recovery (BIL).............. - - 14,900 - 10,000 - 19,500 - +9,500 -

Detection Monitoring (BIL)................ - - 10,565 - - - - - - -

Reverse 911 (BIL)............................... - - 4,425 - 6,000 - 6,000 - - -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL) ............... - - 499,263 63 10,000 409 500 8 -9,500 -401

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law ............................................... - - 551,550 63 36,000 409 36,000 8 - -401

Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169):

Inflation Reduction Act....................... - - 1,800,000 - - 373 - 472 - +99

Subtotal, Inflation Reduction Act..... - - 1,800,000 - - 373 - 472 - +99

Supplemental Appropriations:

Coronavirus Relief Appropriations 

(P.L. 116-136)c ................................. - 2 - - - - - - - -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Supplemental Discretionary Funding 

Designated as Emergencyd 375,000 -375,000 -

Subtotal, Supplemental 

Appropriations............................... - 2 - - 375,000 - - - -375,000 -

Total, Adjusted Appropriations.......... 4,691,234 10,283 4,356,656 9,779 2,527,956 10,531 3,006,620 15,318 +478,664 +4,787

Add back:

Transfers In and Out............................ -2,763,993 - -1,760,722 - -1,790,663 - -1,790,663 - - -

Total, Appropriationse ...................... 1,927,241 10,283 2,595,934 9,779 737,293 10,531 1,215,957 15,318 +478,664 +4,787

Transfers In:

National Forest System ....................... - - 30,663 - 30,663 - 30,663 - - -

Wildfire Suppression Operations 

Reserve Fund.................................... 2,770,000 - 1,770,000 - 1,770,000 - 1,770,000 - - -

Total, Transfers In 2,770,000 - 1,800,663 - 1,800,663 - 1,800,663 - - -

Transfers Out:

Department of the Interior................... -1,982 - -325 - - - - - - -

Forest and Rangeland Research........... - - -7,000 - -5,500 - -5,500 - - -

Forest Service Operations ................... -4,025 - -29,855 - -4,320 - -4,320 - - -

National Forest System ....................... - - - - - - - - - -

Office of Inspector General................. - - -2,761 - -180 - -180 - - -

Total, Transfers Out ............................... -6,007 - -39,941 - -10,000 - -10,000 - - -

Recoveries, Other ............................... 183,209 - 260,000 - 150,000 - 150,000 - - -

Balance Available, SOY...................... 241,429 - 311,155 - 2,372,448 - 1,217,628 - -1,154,820 -

Total Available ..................................... 5,115,872 10,283 4,927,811 9,779 6,841,067 10,531 6,164,911 15,318 -676,156 +4,787

Bal. Available, EOY ........................... -311,155 - -2,372,448 - -1,217,628 - -1,118,184 - +99,444 -

Total Obligations.................................. 4,798,881 10,283 4,313,897 9,779 5,623,439 10,531 5,046,727 15,318 -576,712 +4,787

a The Hazardous Fuels program will be shifted from National Forest System to Wildland Fire Management beginning in fiscal year 2024.

b The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) provided $552,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 and provided advance appropriations of $36,000,000 each year from 2023 through 

2026 not including transfers.

c P.L. 116-136 provided $7,000,000 to prepare, prevent, and respond to coronavirus. Budget authority expired effective October 1, 2021.

d P.L. 117-328 provided $1.386 billion for wildland fire suppression activities and $160 million for forest fire presuppression; for a total of $1.546 billion.

e The discrepancy between the project statement and Max schedule X is reimbursable funds.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Table FS-52. Obligations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE Inc. or Dec.

FTE Inc. 

or Dec.

Discretionary Obligations:

Preparedness......................................................... $287,749 596 $174,502 - $84,027 - $207,741 - +$123,714 -

Suppression Operations........................................ 3,741,246 1,156 3,110,976 542 2,449,915 - 2,779,465 456 +329,550 +456

Fuels Management (Hazardous Fuels 

Reduction)a ...................................................................................... -83 - 590 - 704 - 17,584 - +16,880 -

National Fire Capacity.......................................... 18 - 89 - 98 - 131 - +33 -

Rural Fire Capacity............................................... 95 - - - - - - - - -

Wildland Fire Management – Other ..................... 10,725 - 2,312 - 3,069 - 4,593 - +1,524 -

FireGuard.............................................................. - - - - - - 5,700 - +5,700 -

Salaries and Expenses........................................... 757,132 8,529 822,703 9,174 914,502 9,749 1,419,204 14,382 +504,702 +4,633

Subtotal, Discretionary Obligations................... 4,796,882 10,281 4,111,172 9,716 3,452,315 9,749 4,434,418 14,838 +982,103 +5,089

Preparedness (BIL)............................................... - - 17,922 - 3,682 - 4,719 - +1,037 -

Burned Area Recovery (BIL) ............................... - - 610 - 19,698 - 17,032 - -2,666 -

Detection Monitoring (BIL).................................. - - - - 6,939 - 2,496 - -4,443 -

Reverse 911 (BIL) ................................................ - - - - 5,971 - 5,099 - -872 -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL)................................. - - 184,152 63 315,067 409 6,663 8 -308,404 -401

Subtotal, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law............. - - 202,684 63 351,357 409 36,009 8 -315,348 -401

Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169):

Inflation Reduction Act ........................................ - - - - 375,000 373 475,000 472 +100,000 +99

Subtotal, Inflation Reduction Act ...................... - - - - 375,000 373 475,000 472 +100,000 +99

Supplemental Obligations:

Coronavirus Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-

136)c ...................................................................................................... 1,999 2 41 - 67 - - - -67 -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-328)d ... - - - - 1,444,700 - 101,300 - -1,343,400 -

Subtotal, Supplemental Obligations................... 1,999 2 41 - 1,444,767 - 101,300 - -1,343,467 -

Total Obligations................................................ 4,798,881 10,283 4,313,897 9,779 5,623,439 10,531 5,046,727 15,318 -576,712 +4,787

Balances Available, EOY:

Preparedness......................................................... 23,287 - 33,952 - 20,774 - 51,360 - +30,586 -

Suppression Operations........................................ 274,232 - 163,631 - 132,480 - 140,355 - +7,875 -

Fuels Management (Hazardous Fuels 

Reduction)a ........................................................ 9,586 - 8,678 - 12,861 - 291,225 - +278,364 -

National Fire Capacity.......................................... 2,637 - 1,562 - 4,809 - 6,440 - +1,631 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Rural Fire Capacity............................................... 713 - 272 - 674 - 685 - +11 -

Wildland Fire Management – Other ..................... -615 - 7,385 - 4,868 - 6,095 - +1,227 -

FireGuard.............................................................. - - - - - - 625 - +625 -

Salaries and Expenses........................................... 7,109 - 8,103 - 9,006 - 13,976 - +4,970 -

Preparedness (BIL)............................................... - - 4,475 - 3,354 - 2,925 - -429 -

Burned Area Recovery (BIL) ............................... - - 14,289 - 11,593 - 10,005 - -1,588 -

Detection Monitoring (BIL).................................. - - 10,565 - 4,502 - 1,548 - -2,954 -

Reverse 911 (BIL) ................................................ - - 4,425 - 3,512 - 3,197 - -315 -

Salaries and Expenses (BIL)................................. - - 315,111 - 3,187 - 67 - -3,120 -

Inflation Reduction Act ........................................ - - 1,800,000 - 904,708 - 589,681 - -315,027 -

Coronavirus Relief Appropriations (P.L. 116-

136)c................................................................... 42 - - - - - - - - -

Disaster Relief Appropriations (P.L. 117-328)d.... - - - - 101,300 - - - -101,300 -

Total, Balances Available, EOY........................ 392,000 - 2,372,448 - 1,217,628 - 1,118,184 - -99,444 -

Total Available....................................................... 5,115,872 10,283 6,686,345 9,779 6,941,067 10,531 6,164,911 15,318 -676,156 +4,787

Less:

Total Transfers In ................................................. -2,770,000 - -1,800,663 - -1,800,663 - -1,800,663 - - -

Total Transfers Out............................................... 6,007 - 39,941 - 10,000 - 10,000 - - -

Recoveries, Other ................................................ -183,209 - -260,000 - -150,000 - -150,000 - - -

Balance Available, SOY....................................... -241,429 - -311,155 - -2,372,448 - -1,217,628 - +1,154,820 -

Total Appropriation .............................................. 1,927,241 10,283 4,354,468 9,779 2,527,956 10,531 3,006,620 15,318 +478,664 +4,787

a The Hazardous Fuels program will be shifted from National Forest System to Wildland Fire Management beginning in fiscal year 2024. b The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) are advance appropriations and provides $36,000,000 each year from 2022 through 2026 not including transfers. c P.L. 116-136 provided $7,000,000 to prepare, prevent, and respond to coronavirus. Budget authority expired effective October 1, 2021. d P.L. 117-328 provided $1.386 billion for wildland fire suppression activities and $160 million for forest fire presuppression; for a total of $1.546 billion. 

 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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JUSTIFICATIONS OF INCREASES AND DECREASES

Salaries and Expenses 

FY 2024 salaries and expenses provide additional funding for the Forest Service to continue efforts in building a 

year-round workforce that is better aligned with the challenges of today’s wildfire activity. Increasing investments in

the Federal wildland fire management workforce are designed to deliver an updated, competitive, and equitable pay 

structure and an improved support system that will address recruitment and retention challenges that have affected 

this workforce for decades. The 2024 Budget builds upon reforms detailed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 

117-58) by providing a permanent solution for Federal wildland firefighters’ compensation and taking steps to 

improve firefighter’s quality of life and recognize the difficult and dangerous work they perform.

The cornerstone of the Administration’s long-term reforms is a permanent increase in pay through authorization of a 

special base rate salary table that will permanently increase pay for Federal wildland firefighters and a new premium 

pay category for all wildland fire incident responders to provide some additional compensation for all hours,

including rest and sleep time, when they are mobilized on incidents. These pay reforms will increase Federal 

wildland firefighters’ base pay to provide a more livable wage and address long-term competitiveness and equity 

issues to improve recruitment outcomes and stabilize retention. Additionally, the 2024 Budget proposal establishes a 

wildland firefighter pay cap, including all premium and hazards pay, that can be waived by each Secretary using 

specific criteria.

The special base rate table will be applied to all Federal wildland firefighters. It will raise base pay for firefighters 

on a sliding scale at all grades. For example, entry-level firefighters at grade GS-3 will receive a pay increase of 36 

percent, and our most senior firefighters, at grades GS-15, will receive an increase of 1.5 percent. The portal-toportal premium pay will be applied to all Federal wildland fire incident responders when mobilized on an incident at 

a rate equal to half of the employee’s base pay rate. These pay reforms will build on the reforms Congress provided 

with interim funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The 2024 Budget includes an increase of $180.0 million to cover the costs of base pay increase component of the 

overall compensation reform proposed for Federal wildland firefighters. In addition, the Budget includes $328 

million, of which $69 million is to support the 2024 cost of living increases and $259 million for hiring additional

Federal firefighting capacity to help ensure the Forest Service can effectively meet the demands of wildland fire 

year-round while improving the work-life balance of firefighters. This funding will increase firefighting capacity by 

an estimated 970 Federal firefighters and support personnel.

This suite of workforce reforms—including improved compensation, increased workforce capacity, as well as vital 

health and well-being assistance addressed under Preparedness, and improved housing (see Capital Improvement 

and Maintenance – Facilities on page 123 in the Capital Improvement and Maintenance section—will transform 

interagency Wildland Fire Management by improving firefighter recruitment and retention and laying the foundation 

for further improvements in the future.

Wildland Fire Management salaries and expenses not only provides funding for wildland fire response, but also 

prescribed fire and manual thinning treatments for hazardous fuels mitigation. The wildland fire workforce 

assessment will assess the workload and tasking of the current wildland fire workforce, including hazardous fuels 

mitigation. The small amount of salary and expenses for the administration of hazardous fuels mitigation contracts is 

primarily expended within National Forest System salaries and expenses.

(5) An increase of $508,676,000 and 4,633 FTE ($913,956,000 and 9,749 FTE enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items:

A) An increase of $69,180,000 for 2024 Pay. 

This increase will support the annualization of the 2023 4.6 percent Cost of Living pay increase and the 

2024 5.2 percent Cost of Living pay increase.

B) An increase of $259,496,000 for increased firefighter capacity. 

This increase will help ensure that the Forest Service can increase capacity to effectively meet the demands 

of wildland fire year-round while improving work-life balance of firefighters and support personnel.

C) An increase of $180,000,000 for the pay reforms for Federal wildland firefighters. 
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This increase will implement a permanent increase in base pay to provide a more livable wage and address 

long-term competitiveness and equity issues to improve recruitment outcomes and stabilize retention.

Preparedness

The Preparedness program ensures that fire management assets, such as large airtankers, helicopters, hot shot crews, 

and smokejumpers, can support timely, risk-informed, and effective initial attack response operations on National 

Forest System lands; and other Federal, State, Tribal, and private lands for which the Forest Service has protection 

agreements in place. The program also supports training and education, development and advancement of 

firefighting technology, and organizational learning. 

(1) An increase of $176,000,000 ($32,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items: 

A) This increase is, in part, due to the one-time shift in base funding from discretionary appropriations to 

emergency designated appropriations included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-

328), Division N. The operational change in funding is an increase of $16,000,000 from the total 2023 

enacted level.

B) An increase of $10,000,000 to support establishment of comprehensive vital health and well-being 

programs. 

The Forest Service Chief’s priorities for expanding our Wildland Fire workforce are to ensure our 

permanent employees have the tools to tackle the mental and physical aspects of the mission. We are 

actively working to update the program to meet these needs. This increase would better meet our 

employees’ needs and build on the reform Congress provided with interim funding in the Bipartisan 

Infrastructure Law to sustain the firefighting workforce in a demanding work environment.

C) An increase of $6,000,000 to support electrification goals mandated by Executive Order 14057. 

This increase would accelerate procurement of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) as practicable to replace 

fire fleet light duty vehicles to support vehicle electrification goals mandated by Executive Order 14057. 

FireGuard

(4) An increase of $6,000,000 ($0 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items: 

A) This increase would provide funding to reimburse the Department of Defense (DoD) for providing 

FireGuard capability through the National Guard and initiate a contract to formally document requirements 

and planning necessary for the transition of FireGuard from the DoD, and to identify key areas where 

artificial intelligence and automation can reduce the need for staffing and risks to firefighters.

Suppression

Suppression funding supports the work associated with extinguishing or confining wildland fires associated with 

National Forest System lands. Suppression appropriations are used primarily for wildfire response when a fire is not 

contained during initial attack, and is the primary funding source for wildland fire extended attack and large fire 

support operations, including funding aviation asset operations, conducting other support functions in direct support 

of wildfire incidents, and funding postfire emergency stabilization activities. The program maintains the agency’s 

strong role of working with other Federal, State, Tribal, and local government partners to protect life and property 

against catastrophic wildfire and other natural disasters. Through the Burned Area Emergency Response program, 

the Suppression funding also protects forests and watersheds from the post-fire impacts of catastrophic fire, helping 

to maintain clean water, wildlife and fish habitat, recreational opportunities, and forest products.

(2) An increase of $1,011,000,000 and 456 FTE ($0 and 0 FTE enacted in 2023).

The funding change is requested for the following items: 

A) This increase is on account of the shift in base funding that occurred in the Consolidated Appropriations 

Act, Division N—Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023. However, this results in no

operational change as this is equal to the funding level of the total 2023 enacted amount. 
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Fuels Management (Hazardous Fuels Reduction)

The Fuels Management program treats acres to reduce the risk for uncharacteristic wildfire by prioritizing treatments 

in the vicinity of critical infrastructure, community drinking water sources, critical habitat, and traditional 

homelands. A trade-off analysis is conducted using scenario investment planning to distribute resources more 

efficiently to the highest priority areas. Working with community partners across boundaries allows the agency to

leverage resources and work efficiently to reduce wildfire risk, while creating resilient landscapes and encouraging 

fire-adapted communities.

In 2022, the Forest Service completed approximately 3.21 million acres of fuels treatments on National Forest 

System lands and adjacent areas to mitigate wildfire risk. Approximately 2 million of the treated acres were in highrisk wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas. The treated areas outside the WUI were also identified as high priority 

and included municipal watersheds, traditional homelands, critical habitat, and areas valued for subsistence and 

cultural opportunities, forest products, and ecosystem restoration. 

Approximately 900,000 treated acres were categorized as having a high to very high hazard potential for a large 

wildfire that would be difficult to contain. About 1.76 million acres or 57 percent of the total acres were treated with 

prescribed fire or wildfire that met management objectives. This is slightly less than last year’s accomplishments, in 

part due to the Agency’s tactical pause on prescribed fire to assess protocols around prescribed fire implementation 

and establish clear and more effective guidelines for prescribed fire use. Although this impacted the use of 

prescribed fire for reducing wildfire risk, the Agency deemed it an important and necessary trade-off to ensure 

public safety in the future and strengthen standards of the overall program.

The fuels program supports additional Administration priorities, such as Justice 40 Initiative60, by reducing the 

threat of wildfire to underserved communities that may be more significantly impacted during these natural 

disasters. In addition, the fuels program addresses the climate change priority, as managing fuels reduces the carbon 

output observed during large-scale, high-intensity wildfires. Treating the nation’s forests so they are more resilient 

to drought and fire ensures their survival and longevity even in the face of climate change. Forest and grasslands are 

the best sources of carbon fixation and their loss due to drought and wildfire not only severely and immediately 

reduces their ability to fix carbon, but their smoke emissions release large quantities of carbon into the atmosphere. 

Reducing vegetation densities, improving heterogeneity, and implementing periodic prescribe fire through active 

management assists in the fire-adaptation of our Nation’s forests, sustaining them through time. By treating National 

Forest System lands, fire can burn at low to moderate intensities and the wildland fire workforce can effectively 

suppress unplanned ignitions and limit the impacts of fire and smoke to communities. This also reduces carbon 

emissions and provides for healthy forests with increased growth capacity to fix carbon. The Nation’s forests 

provide for the livelihoods of many individuals, industries, and communities. Maintaining healthy productive forests 

maintains current economic enterprises while encouraging additional opportunities. 

In 2024, the Agency will continue to work closely with Regional offices to achieve the right level of support to 

maintain our current levels of low-risk conditions while also maximizing opportunities to reduce wildfire risk in 

untreated areas. The work before us is monumental, requiring a significant investment in Forest Service personnel to 

complete the task, while allowing for an appropriate life-work balance. To achieve the 20 million additional acres

treated to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire, as detailed in the “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: A 10-Year 

Wildfire Implementation Plan”61, an increase in discretionary funding for contracts, grants, and agreements to assist 

in increasing pace and scale of the work is required. This will require an increase in prescribed fire not only to treat 

new acres, but also to maintain the acres that have reached the desired low-risk condition. To maintain over 20 

million acres at the desired condition through time would require more than 4 million acres to be burned annually 

through prescribed fire. 

The Hazardous Fuels program will move from the National Forest System account to the Wildland Fire 

Management account in 2024.

60 https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/

61 https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Wildfire-Crisis-Implementation-Plan.pdf
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(3) An increase of $115,988,000 ($207,000,000 enacted in 2023). 

The funding change is requested for the following items: 

A) An increase of $1,600,000 to support electrification goals mandated by Executive Order 14057. 

This increase would accelerate procurement of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) as practicable to replace 

fire fleet light duty vehicles. 

B) An increase of $114,388,000 to increase the acres of hazardous fuel reduction treatments. 

This increase would allow the Agency to mitigate wildfire risk on 4.2 million acres in high priority and 

high-risk areas. The increase will also enable the Agency to begin restoring ecological function, protect 

Tribal lands, critical habitat, and watersheds, and provide for social and economic services traditionally 

provided by healthy ecosystems. Removing hazardous fuels helps reduce the effects of uncharacteristic 

wildfire and improves landscape conditions so that in many cases fire can resume its normal role on the 

landscape without risk to communities, traditional Tribal lands, watersheds, and critical wildlife habitat. 

Approximately 63 million of the 193 million acres (32 percent) of National Forest System lands remain at 

high or very high risk for wildfires that would be difficult to contain. 

This increase in funding would provide the Forest Service the means to continue making strides to reduce 

the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire to communities by treating 20 million acres over the next 8 years while 

ensuring the continued maintenance on the landscapes that are at desired condition and/or low risk for 

uncharacteristic wildfires. The increase would also assist the Agency in investing in treating landscapes at 

high wildfire risk and continue to create climate-adaptive, fire-adaptive ecosystems that either curtail the 

escalation of a wildfire or defuse the effects of an uncharacteristic wildfire thereby adding in suppression 

efforts and protecting values at risk.
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CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS

Table FS-53. Classification by Objects (thousands of dollars)

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Personnel Compensation:

Washington D.C. .......................................................... $11,540 $38,556 $43,521 $53,062

Personnel compensation, field...................................... 1,132,233 1,036,626 1,183,457 1,420,000

11.0 Total personnel compensation ................................... 1,143,773 1,075,182 1,226,978 1,473,062

12.0 Personal benefits........................................................... 359,470 413,742 472,559 566,801

13.0 Benefits for former personnel....................................... 18 23 25 33

Total, personnel compensation and benefits.............. 1,503,261 1,488,947 1,699,562 2,039,896

Other Objects:

21.0 Travel and transportation of persons ............................ 120,443 121,832 155,153 119,023

22.0 Transportation of things................................................ 11,466 11,110 15,217 11,091

23.1 Rental payments to GSA .............................................. 327 18 221 169

23.2 Rental payments to others............................................. 7,233 4,064 7,142 5,550

23.3 Communications, utilities, and misc. charges 10,899 7,044 10,503 8,815

24.0 Printing and reproduction ............................................. 290 231 334 256

25.2 Other services from non-Federal sources ..................... 2,254,222 1,948,800 2,700,543 2,064,804

25.3 Other goods and services from Federal sources ........... 215,314 59,904 175,011 135,205

25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities ....................... 2,783 1,859 2,976 2,280

25.5 Research and development contracts............................ - 110 71 54

25.6 Medical care ................................................................. 207 147 227 174

25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment .................... 3,323 2,689 3,854 2,953

26.0 Supplies and materials.................................................. 213,727 157,980 238,025 182,607

31.0 Equipment .................................................................... 9,595 9,232 12,070 9,249

32.0 Land and structures....................................................... 1,763 954 1,742 1,335

41.0 Grants, subsidies, and contributions............................. 443,215 496,862 599,211 461,828

42.0 Insurance claims and indemnities................................. 626 1,625 1,443 1,106

43.0 Interest and dividends................................................... 130 481 392 300

44.0 Refunds......................................................................... - -32,795 - -

92.0 Undistributed ................................................................ 57 8 42 32

Total, other objects.................................................... 3,295,620 2,824,950 3,923,877 3,006,831

99.9 Total, new obligations............................................. 4,798,881 4,313,897 5,623,439 5,046,727

Position Data:

Average Salary (dollars), ES Position .......................... $181,262 $178,954 $187,186 $196,920 

Average Salary (dollars), GS Position.......................... 51,829 53,391 55,847 58,751

Average Grade, GS Position......................................... 7.0 7.1 7.1 7.1 
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STATUS OF PROGRAMS

Wildland Fire Preparedness 

Current Activities

In 2022, there were nearly 6,000 fires on National Forest System lands, and Forest Service firefighters had an initial 

attack success rate of 9762 percent. The Preparedness program ensures that fire management assets, such as large 

airtankers, helicopters, hot shot crews, and smokejumpers, can support timely, risk-informed, and effective initial 

attack response operations on National Forest System lands and other Federal, State, and private lands. This program 

supports internal and external training and education, development and advancement of firefighting technology, and 

organizational learning. 

Table FS-54. Wildland Fire Salary and Expenses, and Preparedness Costs (millions of dollars)

Item 2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Wildland Firefighter Salary and Expenses: a

Firefighter Federal Fire Response b ..................................................... $111 $123 $176 

Firefighter State Fire Response c ......................................................... 12 13 21

FEMA d ............................................................................................... - 1 1

Travel and Training c .......................................................................... 25 38 53

Non-Incident and Hazardous Fuel Operations e, f................................. 674 739 1,171

Subtotal, Wildland Firefighter Salary and Expenses ........................ 822 914 1,442

Wildland Fire Preparedness Costs: g

Firefighting Equipment, Operations, and Maintenance........................ 149 172 178

Vital Health and Well-Being................................................................ - - 10

Aviation Contracts ............................................................................... 23 20 20

Subtotal, Wildland Fire Preparedness Costs...................................... 172 192h 208

Total, Wildland Fire Salary and Expenses and Preparedness Costs 994 1,106 1,650

a Firefighters and support staff salary and personnel costs include pay costs and Federal Employees Retirement System 

contributions.

b Firefighters and support staff salary and personnel costs incurred from work on fires occurring on National Forest System lands 

or other Federal lands.

c Firefighters and support staff salary and personnel costs incurred from work on fires occurring on State lands.

d FEMA category under Preparedness includes employee and personnel costs for the first 8 hours (Base-8 hours) incurred when 

responding to FEMA-declared emergencies.

e All other firefighter and support staff salary and personnel costs incurred from Preparedness program activities not directly 

supporting an incident. This includes all Wildland Fire leadership and associated management staff, communications staff, 

aviation staff, budget staff, fire planners, off-season firefighter work, and all the planning and readiness reviews to prepare for the 

next incident.

f All other firefighter and support staff salary and personnel costs incurred from the hazardous fuels program.

g The Preparedness program covers fixed costs and ensures that fire management assets, such as large airtankers, helicopters, hot 

shot crews, and smoke jumpers are available to support initial attack response operations on National Forest System lands and

other Federal, State, and private lands.

h 2023 total preparedness costs reflect regular appropriations and disaster supplemental funding.

62 Initial attack success rate is the percent of fires that were suppressed before reaching 300 acres in size. 
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Table FS-55. Wildland Fire Salary and Expenses, Suppression Costs (millions of dollars)

Suppression 2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Federal Fire Response a................................................................ $1624 $303 $303

State Fire Response b.................................................................... 308 52 52

Aviation Contracts....................................................................... 419 251 251

Fire Support Contracts and Operations c ...................................... 654 305 305

FEMA d ........................................................................................ - 2 2

Burned Area Emergency Repair (BAER) e .................................. 24 3 3

Administrative Support f .............................................................. 82 95 95

Total Suppression g ................................................................... 3,111g 1,011 1,011 h

a Forest Service fire management assets used to support Suppression program activities on National Forest System and other 

Federal lands.

b Forest Service fire management assets used to support Suppression program activities on State lands.

c Execution of contracts and other procurements for activities associated with the national suppression response.

d FEMA reimbursement under Suppression includes firefighter and support staff overtime costs, hazard pay, travel, and other 

administrative costs during FEMA-declared emergencies. 

e Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Repair response across all lands.

f All other costs to support Forest Service firefighters and staff during Suppression program activities. 

g The Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities Act of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 

115–141) established funding levels for Suppression of $1.011 billion. Total Suppression funding requested in 2022 ($1.011 

billion) includes pay costs, awards, and Federal Employees Retirement System contributions. 

h The Forest Service Suppression program ensures that fire management assets, such as large airtankers, helicopters, hot shot 

crews, and smoke jumpers are available to support extended attack and large fire support operations at fires on National Forest 

System lands and other Federal, State, and private lands, as necessary. 

Table FS-56. Resource Summary 2022 to 2024 (aviation fleet and personnel)

Resource 2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Engines a .................................................................................... 900 900 900

Heavy Equipment – Dozers, Tractor Plow Units, Tenders........ 210 210 210

Helicopters:

Type 1 b ................................................................................... 28 28 28

Type 2 c ................................................................................... 34 34 34

Type 3 d ................................................................................... 46 46 46

Airtankers:

Next Generation Airtankers e .................................................. 18 18 18

Firefighters (FFTR) – Total is inclusive of categories below .... 10,965 11,300 12,270

Type I Interagency Hot Shot Crews (67 crews)...................... 1,340 1,340 1,690

Other Firefighters.................................................................... 8,905 9,240 9,860

Smoke Jumpers....................................................................... 320 320 320

Prevention Technicians........................................................... 400 400 400

a Refers to the suite of wheeled vehicles used to carry firefighters and water to the site of a fire.

b Includes only agency owned/leased or exclusive use contracted assets. Type 1 are the heaviest class of helicopters.

c Medium-sized helicopters.

d Includes only helicopters whose primary purpose is wildland fire response. Type 3 are the lightest class of helicopters.

e Numbers reflect maximum number of aircraft allowed under the exclusive use contracts.
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Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Potential Operational Delineations (PODs). PODs are a pre-planning framework to assist with real time decisions to

identify possible wildfire control lines through a baseline understanding of risks, management opportunities, and 

desired outcomes before a fire starts. Through 2022, more than 55 national forests have developed PODs and 10 

more are in progress. 

Continued Improvements in Aircraft Acquisition. In 2022, the Aviation Program successfully completed its second 

full year of implementing the Forest Service Aviation Acquisition Strategy (Strategy). The Strategy formalizes the 

planning, execution, and management process for all aviation procurements but is not considered a stand-alone 

document. Rather, it complements goals, objectives, and performance measures from USDA and the Forest Service 

to create strategic line-of-sight linkages. The Aviation Program is viewed holistically; it allows for significant cost 

and administration efficiencies. This governance framework along with the iterative nature of the Strategy’s phases 

and decision points means that acquisitions are tactical, coordinated, and timely, using program management best 

practices, tools, and techniques. Aviation remains agile in its ongoing response by supplying aviation assets that 

support the fire mission and multiple other missions throughout the Forest Service as capabilities produced by each 

acquisition are integrated and operate cohesively within the overall aviation portfolio. 

Wildland Fire Suppression Operations

Current Activities

The Suppression program is the primary funding source for wildland fire extended attack and large fire support 

operations. The program maintains the agency’s strong role of working with other Federal, State, Tribal, and local 

government partners to protect life and property against wildfire and other natural disasters. This program also 

protects forests and watersheds from the impacts of catastrophic fire, helping to maintain clean water, wildlife and 

fish habitat, recreational opportunities, and forest products. In 2022, approximately 8.1 million acres burned in 

wildland fires, and over 2.4 million of those acres were on National Forest System lands. The agency continues to 

use science-based tools to make risk-informed decisions to manage fire on the landscape, including using naturally 

occurring wildfire in the right place, at the right time, and for the right reasons, to reduce wildfire risk and improve 

forest conditions. Additionally, the agency continues to improve the use of analytical systems to determine the most 

efficient allocation of fire suppression resources, the effectiveness of suppression resources, and the efficiency of the 

current practices used by incident managers to achieve containment on large fires. 

Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 (S.Prt. 117-16, “A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for 

the United States Government for fiscal year 2022 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 

2023 through 2031”) extended the Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities Act included in 

Division O of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115–141), which amended the Balanced Budget and 

Emergency Deficit Control Act to authorize the appropriation of additional budget authority to eliminate the need 

for “fire transfers,” which is borrowing funds from non-fire programs to cover the full cost of fire suppression 

operations. The agency leverages the budgetary stability provided by the additional budget authority to approach 

programmatic and fiscal management of both fire and land management programs more strategically. 

The Forest Service continues to negotiate standardized cooperative agreements with State and local government 

entities to ensure incident specific cost share agreements are implementable and equitable for all associated parties. 

In 2022, the agency established and executed over 48 standardized State-level cooperative agreements for 

cooperative response to wildland fires and continues to collaborate with State and local partners in developing and 

fielding new fire analytic tools and resources to inform tactical decision-making on fire incidents and adopting 

modern spatial and data analytics technologies to provide real time information to incident commanders on complex 

incidents.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Risk Management Assistance: In 2022, the Forest Service’s Risk Management Assistance (RMA) program provided 

real-time decision support for the largest and most challenging fires. The program provides analytical products to 

support decision-makers with more risk-informed decisions to achieve safer and improved outcomes for critical fire 

incidents. In 2022, line officers employed RMA on most large fires across the country, including the Black fire in 

New Mexico, the Mosquito fire in California, and the Moose fire in Idaho. The fires comparison matrix on the RMA 

dashboard combines fire modeling, risk assessment, and weather information into a concise format, which facilitated 

fire comparisons and informed prioritization at the Multi-Area Coordination, Geographic Area Coordination Center, 

regional, State, and unit level.37 
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Burned Area Emergency Response: The Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program, 

funded under Suppression, provides the opportunity for assessment and mitigation of post-fire emergency situations 

on National Forest System lands for life, safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources. Post-fire 

emergencies include floods, debris flows, increased erosion, and threat of non-native species invasion. In 2022, over 

2.1 million acres received a burned area emergency assessment with $21 million allocated for treatments to protect 

life and safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources on National Forest System lands. More than 100 

fires were assessed and most requested post-fire emergency action. Treatments included over 35,000 acres of 

invasive plant detection and response, over 2,000 miles of road drainage improvements, over 525 miles of trail 

work, protection of over 100 cultural sites, about 150 hazardous sites mitigated, and numerous hazard warning signs 

installed. Implementation completed in 2022 expended $11 million on actions for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 fire 

seasons.

Fuels Management (Hazardous Fuels Reduction)

Current Activities

Much of the Nation’s forests and grasslands are stressed by the impacts of climate change, including extended 

drought, severe wildfires, and large insect and disease outbreaks. These stressors and disturbances impact forests; 

grasslands; watersheds; rural communities; timber and other forest products; critical habitat for threatened, 

endangered, and sensitive species; game and sport species; utility corridors; and more, causing millions of dollars in 

damage each year. 

The Hazardous Fuels program treats acres to reduce the risk for uncharacteristic wildfire by prioritizing treatments 

in the vicinity of critical infrastructure, community drinking water sources, critical habitat, and traditional 

homelands. A trade-off analysis is conducted using scenario investment planning to distribute resources more 

efficiently to the highest priority areas. Working with community partners across boundaries allows the agency to 

leverage resources and work efficiently to reduce wildfire risk while creating resilient landscapes and encouraging 

fire-adapted communities. 

Hazardous fuels treatments include any removal or modification of vegetation, and dead or down fuels to reduce the 

likelihood of ignition, reduce fire intensity, severity, and rate of spread, to reduce potential damage, and limit the 

spread of invasive species and diseases. These treatments promote the natural role of fire by reducing the likelihood 

of uncharacteristic wildfire and increase the agency’s capabilities to protect life and property (including 

communities-at-risk and sensitive municipal watersheds), sensitive natural resources (including native plant 

communities and threatened and endangered species), and other socially important cultural resources. 

The goal of the program is to treat 20 million acres of National Forest System lands and maintain the forests already 

in the category of low risk for severe wildfire, as detailed in the agency’s “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: A 10-

Year Implementation Plan (Wildfire Crisis Strategy).”63 This establishes a portfolio of priority landscapes where the 

risk of uncharacteristic wildfire is reduced, and unplanned ignitions can be managed and suppressed as needed at the 

right time, the right place, and for the right reasons. Focusing on high-frequency, low-intensity, fire-adapted 

ecosystems to re-establish the natural role of fire on the landscape has proven to be effective in mitigating wildfire 

risk. Once these landscapes are treated to a degree where the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire is mitigated, they will 

still be treated by periodic prescribed fire and naturally occurring wildfire, when appropriate, to maintain forest 

health and resilience. When prescribed fire is utilized, smoke is managed using EPA defined Basic Smoke 

Management Practices to minimize impacts to the public.64 

Specifically Addressed Areas 

In 2022, the Forest Service completed approximately 3.2 million acres of hazardous fuels treatments on National 

Forest System lands and adjacent areas to mitigate wildfire risk, nearly meeting the national target of 3.7 million 

acres. Approximately, 2 million of the treated acres were in high-risk wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas. The 

treated areas that were not in the WUI were identified as high priority for other important values at risk to wildfire, 

including protection of municipal watersheds, and traditional homelands; avoiding wildfire side-effects like poor air 

quality, loss of habitat, loss of subsistence and cultural opportunities, and area closures; and other objectives such as 

harvesting forest products and ecosystem restoration occurring outside WUI areas. Approximately 900,000 treated 

63 https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Wildfire-Crisis-Implementation-Plan.pdf 64 eCFR :: 40 CFR 50.14 -- Treatment of air quality monitoring data influenced by exceptional events.
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acres were categorized as having a high to very high hazard potential for a large wildfire that would be difficult to 

contain. 

About 1.8 million acres or 57 percent of the total acres were treated with prescribed fire. This matches last year’s 

accomplishments, even with the agency’s tactical pause on prescribed fire to assess protocols around prescribed fire 

implementation and establish clear and more effective guidelines for prescribed fire use and initiation. Three regions 

exceeded their regional target, with a fourth meeting 99 percent; three other regions achieved at least 75 percent of 

their target, and one region met 68 percent of their target.

In 2022 the agency began using the analytic methodology of “firesheds” to help prioritize work in areas with the 

greatest exposure to communities. In 2022, 10 landscapes encompassing 77 high priority firesheds were identified 

and treatments started in several areas with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as part of the agency’s 

work to execute the Wildfire Crisis Strategy. Additionally, several of the Joint Chiefs’ projects are also working 

within high priority firesheds. 

The success of the prescribed fire program was primarily a result of maximizing the efficient use of our resources to 

take advantage of prescribed fire windows and increased partnerships to support prescribed fire operations. The 

agency will continue to prioritize the use of authorities provided in Division O of the Consolidated Appropriations 

Act, 2018 (P.L. 115–141), and take the necessary steps to reach the goal of treating 4.0 million acres of National 

Forest System lands and adjacent areas in 2023. Annual prescribed fire treatments are split between areas that have 

not been burned and repeat treatments to maintain low fire risk. Although costs vary wildly, depending on features 

like location and terrain, the average cost is $750 per acre for the first prescribed burn, and $100 per acre for followup “maintenance” treatments. To execute the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, the Agency is targeting 4.2M acres treated in 

2024, with a minimum of 2M new acres treated. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Wildfire Risk to Communities website: The Wildfire Risk to Communities (WRC) website launched in April 2020 

and has been viewed more than 300,000 times, with over 130,000 views in 2022. Several improvements were made 

in 2022, including the addition of more than 600 Tribal areas to the search options and updated data about socially 

vulnerable people for all communities, counties, Tribal areas, and States. The website was also used to generate and 

host data in support of the new Community Wildfire Defense Grants authorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law. The site is now linked from realtor.com and received significant media attention and new usage in 2022. Major 

improvements are planned for 2024, including updated wildfire risk data, a new user interface with more 

interactions and resources, and interactive maps of social vulnerability at the neighborhood scale. The site will 

include more tools to reduce wildfire risk, such as a new interactive map of human-caused ignitions and new 

resources for Equitable Risk Reduction and Smoke Ready communities. 

Smoke Management and Air Quality: The Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program (IWFAQRP), 

authorized by the John D, Dingell Jr. Conservation Management and Recreation Act of 2019, deployed 70 Air 

Resource Advisors (ARAs) to support wildfire response with smoke dispersion forecasting, public smoke impact 

information, and community messages. Some of the deployments supported smoke management needs for 

prescribed fire. The IWFAQRP ARA cadre includes 21 partner agencies, including the Environmental Protection 

Agency, Centers for Disease Control, National Weather Service, Department of the Interior, States, and contracted 

resources. ARAs are technical specialists trained to work on smoke issues from wildland fire and are deployed 

nationwide during large smoke events. The program provides daily “Smoke Outlooks” with air quality impact 

information for the public to reduce exposure and health risks associated with smoke. In 2022, the program 

maintained and utilized 50 fine particulate air quality monitors, 60 low-cost air quality sensors, 220 carbon 

monoxide data loggers, and 13 Rad-57 sensors to detect cumulative carboxyhemoglobin in support of the public and 

wildfire Incident Management Teams. The program monitors and model products are also utilized to minimize 

safety and health risks of smoke from prescribed fire operations of the Forest Service and partner Department of 

Interior bureaus and agencies. 

Fuels Treatments Modified Fire Behavior: During the 2022 fire season, numerous wildfires interacted with crossboundary fuels reduction projects across all regions.

• In California, the Bouquet Fire started in the Angeles National Forest on May 30, 2022. Hazardous fuels 

treatments prior to the fire included a mastication project completed in 2020, and the entire project area was 

prepped for prescribed burning in 2022, and 74 acres were prescribed burned in April 2022. The Bouquet 

Fire moved at a moderate rate of spread and reached the masticated treatment area from 2020 in less than 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-164 

an hour, where it dropped to a low intensity fire. Water drops, retardant drops and a dozer continued to 

assist firefighters and the fire went out in shaded grass before reaching the retardant line. 

• In New Mexico, the Midnight Fire started on June 9, 2022, in the Carson National Forest. Dry, windy 

conditions aligned for large fire growth towards the communities of Vallecitos and Cañon Plaza, and 

private land inholdings. However, once the fire progressed into the area burned in the 2019 Francisquito 

wildfire and Alamosa prescribed burn units, fire behavior transitioned from moderate-high intensity to lowmoderate intensity surface fire. 

• Hazardous fuels reduction treatments funded by Joint Chiefs’ projects altered fire behavior during each of 

the past four fire seasons (2019 to 2022), allowing for suppression tactics that helped protect at least ten 

communities from wildfire in California (Yreka Craggy Project, Little Jones Creek Project), Colorado 

(Northern Front Range Collaboration Watershed Resilience Project), Montana (Wildfire Adapted 

Missoula), New Mexico (Greater Santa Fe Fireshed Project), and Oregon (Elk Creek Watershed 

Restoration Project, Lake County All Lands Restoration Project). 

FireGuard

Current Activities

FireGuard is an interagency program led by the Forest Service, with partners at Department of Interior, Department 

of Defense (DoD), and State fire agencies. FireGuard can remotely detect and monitor wildfires across the United 

States, including Alaska and Hawaii. The interagency FireGuard team works to provide a system for near real-time 

incident awareness and assessment, including mobile applications featuring automated alerts of new fire starts and 

changes in fire behavior. With 2024 funding, the Forest Service will reimburse the DoD for providing the FireGuard

capability through the National Guard, and initiate a contract to formally document requirements and planning 

necessary for the transition of FireGuard from DoD and identify key areas where artificial intelligence and 

automation can reduce the need for staffing and risks to firefighters.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION OPERATIONS RESERVE FUND

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT

Table FS-57. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars)

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $2,210,000,000 

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... +90,000,000 

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 2,300,000,000 

APPROPRIATIONS LANGUAGE (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

The appropriations language follows (new language underscored; deleted matter enclosed in brackets):

1 Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund

2 In addition to the amounts provided under the heading "Department of Agriculture—Forest Service—Wildland Fire 

3 Management" for wildfire suppression operations, [$2,210,000,000]$2,300,000,000, to remain available until 

4 transferred, is additional new budget authority [as specified for purposes of section 4004(b)(5) of S. Con. Res. 14 

5 (117th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2022, and section 1(g) of H. Res. 1151 

6 (117th Congress), as engrossed in the House of Representatives on June 8, 2022]in excess of the average costs for 

7 wildfire suppression operations for purposes of a concurrent resolution on the budget: Provided, That such amounts 

8 may be transferred to and merged with amounts made available under the headings "Department of the Interior—

9 Department-Wide Programs—Wildland Fire Management" and "Department of Agriculture—Forest Service—

10 Wildland Fire Management" for wildfire suppression operations in the fiscal year in which such amounts are 

11 transferred: Provided further, That amounts may be transferred to the "Wildland Fire Management" accounts in the 

12 Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture only upon the notification of the House and Senate 

13 Committees on Appropriations that all wildfire suppression operations funds appropriated under that heading in this 

14 and prior appropriations Acts to the agency to which the funds will be transferred will be obligated within 30 days: 

15 Provided further, That the transfer authority provided under this heading is in addition to any other transfer authority

16 provided by law[: Provided further, That, in determining whether all wildfire suppression operations funds 

17 appropriated under the heading "Wildland Fire Management" in this and prior appropriations Acts to either the 

18 Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior will be obligated within 30 days pursuant to the 

19 preceding proviso, any funds transferred or permitted to be transferred pursuant to any other transfer authority 

20 provided by law shall be excluded]. 

Change Description

The first change (lines 3 and 4 of paragraph 1) adds language on budget authority for purposes of a concurrent 

resolution. 

The second change (lines 5 through 7 of paragraph 1) deletes language regarding 2022 concurrent budget resolution. 

The third change (lines 16 through 20 of paragraph 1) deletes duplicate language requiring obligation within 30 

days. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-58. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Chg 

Key

Discretionary Appropriations:

Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve 

Fund.............................................................. -$730,000 - $350,000 - $440,000 - $530,000 - +$90,000 - (1)

Total, Adjusted Appropriations...................... -730,000 - 350,000 - 440,000 - 530,000 - +90,000 -

Add back:

Transfers In and Out........................................ 2,770,000 - 1,770,000 - 1,770,000 - 1,770,000 - - -

Total, Appropriations...................................... 2,040,000 - 2,120,000 - 2,210,000 - 2,300,000 - +90,000 -

Transfers Out:

Wildland Fire Management............................. -2,770,000 - -1,770,000 -1,770,000 -1,770,000 - -

Total, Transfers Out ....................................... -2,770,000 - -1,770,000 - -1,770,000 - -1,770,000 - - -

Balance Available, SOY ................................. 1,950,000 - 1,220,000 - 1,570,000 - 2,010,000 - +440,000 -

Total Available ................................................. 1,220,000 - 1,570,000 - 2,010,000 - 2,540,000 - +530,000 -

Bal. Available, EOY .................................... -1,220,000 - -1,570,000 -2,010,000 - -2,540,000 - -530,000 -

Total Obligations.............................................. - - - - - - - - - -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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JUSTIFICATION OF INCREASES AND DECREASES

(1) An increase of $90,000,000. The Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund was established by the fire 

funding fix enacted in Division O of Public Law 115-141, the Stephen Sepp Wildfire Suppression Funding and 

Forest Management Activities Act. This fire funding fix also amended Section 102 of the Stephen Sepp of the 

Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities Act (division O of Public Law 115–141) to 

provide additional new budget authority for fiscal years 2020 through 2027. The overall amount increases by 

$100 million each year. The base level is defined as the average costs over ten years for wildfire suppression 

operations that was requested in the 2015 President’s Budget. This was determined to be $1.011 billion for the 

Forest Service and was appropriated beginning 2020 together with the first allocation of the new budget 

authority. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-168

PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT

Table FS-59. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars)

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $577,000,000 

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... -

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 577,000,000 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-169

PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-60. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Chg 

Key

Mandatory Appropriations:

National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration 

Fund (Great American Outdoors Act) ................. $285,000 43 $285,684 110 $285,624 109 $297,000 109 +$11,376 - (1)

Brush Disposal ................................................... 7,012 40 4,962 31 9,000 31 9,000 31 - - 

Timber Salvage Sales......................................... 34,815 191 32,810 214 37,000 234 37,000 234 - - 

Timber Sales Pipeline Restoration ..................... 5,153 28 5,207 9 6,000 12 6,000 12 - - 

Forest Botanical Products................................... 1,009 13 1,000 8 1,000 10 1,000 10 - - 

Stewardship Contracting .................................... 27,607 31 28,586 - 33,000 31 33,000 31 - - 

Recreation Fees, Forest Service ......................... 116,974 460 131,965 431 125,000 457 125,000 457 - - 

Timber Purchaser Election Road Construction .. 2,004 - 2,000 - 2,000 - 2,000 - - - 

Operation and Maintenance of Forest Service 

Quarters........................................................... 10,266 18 11,284 15 11,000 15 11,000 15 - - 

Roads and Trails for States................................. 13,189 - 18,888 - 19,000 - 19,000 - - - 

Land Between the Lakes Management .............. 6,468 12 4,212 12 7,000 12 7,000 12 - - 

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Rental Fees 669 1 794 - 1,000 - 1,000 - - - 

Restoration of Forest Lands and Improvements. 1,763 21 3,656 14 5,000 14 5,000 14 - - 

Commercial Filming and Still Photography Land 

Use Fee Retention ........................................... 627 4 995 2 995 4 995 4 - - 

Organizational Camps Program ......................... 230 3 715 2 715 3 715 3 - - 

Cost Recovery (Land Uses)................................ 681 3 128 3 1,290 3 1,290 3 - - 

Licensee Program Smokey Bear ........................ 833 - 1,134 1 945 1 945 1 - - 

Licensee Program Woodsy Owl......................... 20 - 11 - 10 - 10 - - - 

Forest Service Go Green Program (Conservation) . 46 - 54 - 45 - 45 - - - 

Payments to States Funds................................... 241,048 25 326,702 20 332,000 25 332,000 25 - - 

Subtotal, Mandatory Appropriations............... 755,414 893 860,787 872 877,624 961 889,000 961 +11,376 -

Offsetting Collections:

Cost Recovery (Land Uses)................................ 5,641 23 113 21 - 21 - 21 - -

Subtotal, Offsetting Collections...................... 5,641 23 113 21 - 21 - 21 - -

Total, Adjusted Appropriations............................. 761,055 916 860,900 893 877,624 982 889,000 982 +11,376 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Chg 

Key

Add back:

Transfers In and Out........................................... -285,464 - -285,684 - -285,624 - -297,000 - -11,376 -

Sequestrations .................................................... 17,445 - -17,162 - -15,000 - -15,000 - - -

Total, Appropriations......................................... 493,036 916 558,054 893 577,000 982 577,000 982 - -

Transfers In:

Department of the Interior.................................. 285,464 - 285,684 - 285,624 - 297,000 - +11,376 -

Total, Transfers In................................................. 285,464 - 285,684 - 285,624 - 297,000 - +11,376 -

Deferral for Roads and Trails for States............. -13,189 - -18,888 - -19,000 - - - +19,000 -

Sequestrations .................................................... -17,445 - 17,162 - 15,000 - 15,000 - - -

Recoveries, Other .............................................. 9,475 - 9,739 - - - - - - -

Balance Available, SOY .................................... 624,392 - 826,078 - 1,000,427 - 1,165,051 - +164,624 -

Total Available .................................................... 1,381,733 916 1,677,829 893 1,859,051 982 2,054,051 982 +195,000 -

Bal. Available, EOY .......................................... -826,078 - -1,000,427 - -1,165,051 - -1,350,051 - -185,000 -

Total Obligations................................................. 538,286 916 677,402 893 694,000 982 704,000 982 +10,000 -

 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-171

Table FS-61. Obligations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Mandatory Obligations:

National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration 

Fund (Great American Outdoors Act)...................... $115,267 43 $152,766 110 $153,000 109 $153,000 109 - -

Brush Disposal ............................................................ 6,994 40 5,937 31 6,000 31 6,000 31 - -

Hardwood Technology Transfer and Applied 

Research ................................................................... 15 - - - - - 0 - - -

Timber Salvage Sales.................................................. 25,329 191 25,588 214 26,000 234 26,000 234 - -

Timber Sales Pipeline Restoration .............................. 3,863 28 3,411 9 3,000 12 3,000 12 - -

Forest Botanical Products............................................ 1,121 13 773 8 1,000 10 1,000 10 - -

Stewardship Contracting ............................................. 21,087 31 23,139 - 23,000 31 23,000 31 - -

Recreation Fees, Forest Service .................................. 99,166 460 107,165 431 107,000 457 107,000 457 - -

Timber Purchaser Election Road Construction ........... 248 - 1,537 - 2,000 - 2,000 - - -

Operation and Maintenance of Forest Service Quarters .. 8,291 18 8,570 15 9,000 15 9,000 15 - -

Roads and Trails for States.......................................... 0 - 0 - - - 10,000 - +$10,000 -

Land Between the Lakes Management ....................... 6,492 12 6,790 12 7,000 12 7,000 12 - -

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Rental Fees......... 716 1 1,470 - 1,000 - 1,000 - - -

Quinault Special Management Area............................ - - 3 - - - - - - -

Restoration of Forest Lands and Improvements.......... 11,939 21 18,277 14 18,000 14 18,000 14 - -

Commercial Filming and Still Photography Land Use 

Fee Retention............................................................ 465 4 574 2 500 4 500 4 - -

Organizational Camps Program .................................. 235 3 270 2 200 3 200 3 - -

Cost Recovery (Land Uses)......................................... 381 3 490 3 300 3 300 3 - -

Licensee Program Smokey Bear ................................. 663 - 1,048 1 970 1 970 1 - -

Licensee Program Woodsy Owl.................................. 46 - - - - - - - - -

Forest Service Go Green Program (Conservation)...... 91 - 30 - 30 - 30 - - -

Payments to States Funds............................................ 232,420 25 315,135 20 332,000 25 332,000 25 - -

Subtotal, Mandatory Obligations.............................. 534,829 893 672,973 872 690,000 961 700,000 961 +10,000 -

Offsetting Collections:

Cost Recovery (Land Uses)......................................... 3,457 23 4,429 21 4,000 21 4,000 21 - -

Subtotal, Offsetting Collections Obligations............ 3,457 23 4,429 21 4,000 21 4,000 21 - -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Total Obligations.......................................................... 538,286 916 677,402 893 694,000 982 704,000 982 +10,000 -

Balances Available, EOY:

National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration 

Fund (Great American Outdoors Act)...................... 169,734 - 287,935 - 291,928 - 328,073 - +36,145 -

Brush Disposal ............................................................ 25,728 - 25,838 - 32,052 - 38,115 - +6,063 -

Hardwood Technology Transfer and Applied 

Research ................................................................... 66 - 66 - 80 - 98 - +18 -

Timber Salvage Sales.................................................. 76,965 - 85,185 - 102,429 - 116,852 - +14,423 -

Timber Sales Pipeline Restoration .............................. 6,694 - 8,694 - 9,815 - 11,374 - +1,559 -

Forest Botanical Products............................................ 2,031 - 2,260 - 2,737 - 3,172 - +435 -

Stewardship Contracting ............................................. 53,246 - 59,788 - 72,100 - 83,548 - +11,448 -

Recreation Fees, Forest Service .................................. 130,803 - 155,906 - 180,880 - 209,919 - +29,039 -

Timber Purchaser Election Road Construction ........... 34,619 - 35,097 - 44,469 - 51,530 - +7,061 -

Operation and Maintenance of Forest Service Quarters .. 29,442 - 32,213 - 38,327 - 43,572 - +5,245 -

Roads and Trails for States.......................................... 1 - 2 - 2 - 9,000 - +8,998 -

Land Between the Lakes Management ....................... 5,002 - 2,442 - 4,748 - 5,502 - +754 -

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Rental Fees......... 3,681 - 3,006 - 4,265 - 4,943 - +678 -

Quinault Special Management Area............................ 18 - 15 - 21 - 24 - +3 -

Restoration of Forest Lands and Improvements.......... 181,130 - 186,915 - 240,604 - 280,252 - +39,648 -

Commercial Filming and Still Photography Land Use 

Fee Retention............................................................ -2,216 - 2,440 - 143 - 166 - +23 -

Organizational Camps Program .................................. 5,894 - 1,457 - 4,689 - 5,433 - +744 -

Cost Recovery (Land Uses)......................................... 21,492 - 17,622 - 23,949 - 28,911 - +4,962 -

Licensee Program Smokey Bear ................................. 2,052 - 2,138 - 2,673 - 3,097 - +424 -

Licensee Program Woodsy Owl.................................. 87 - 97 - 117 - 136 - +19 -

Forest Service Go Green Program (Conservation)...... 472 - 497 - 618 - 716 - +98 -

Payments to States Funds............................................ 79,137 - 90,814 - 108,405 - 125,618 - +17,213 -

Total, Balances Available, EOY.................................... 826,078 - 1,000,427 - 1,165,051 - 1,350,051 - +185,000 -

Total Available ............................................................. 1,364,364 916 1,677,829 893 1,859,051 982 2,054,051 982 +195,000 -

Less:

Total Transfers In........................................................ -285,464 - -285,684 - -285,624 - -297,000 - -11,376 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-173

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Deferral for Roads and Trails for States...................... 13,189 - 18,888 - 19,000 - - - - -

Balance Available, SOY ............................................. -624,392 - -826,078 - -1,000,427 - -1,165,051 - -164,624 -

Total Appropriation..................................................... 475,667 916 558,054 893 577,000 982 577,000 982 +19,000 -
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS

Table FS-62. Classification by Objects (thousands of dollars) 

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Personnel Compensation:

Washington D.C. $258 $2,135 $2,348 $2,135

Personnel compensation, field 54,840 50,856 55,925 50,856

11.0 Total personnel compensation 55,098 52,991 58,273 52,991

12.0 Personal benefits 19,215 18,686 20,548 18,686

Total, personnel compensation and benefits 74,313 71,677 78,821 71,677

Other Objects:

21.0 Travel and transportation of persons 1,607 2,058 2,108 2,166

22.0 Transportation of things 620 773 801 823

23.1 Rental payments to GSA 3 2 3 3

23.2 Rental payments to others 17 66 48 49

23.3 Communications, utilities, and misc. charges 808 930 1,000 1,027

24.0 Printing and reproduction 600 683 738 758

25.1 Advisory and assistance services 37 43 46 47

25.2 Other services from non-Federal sources 143,523 173,177 182,132 187,208

25.3 Other goods and services from Federal sources 21,553 44,639 38,067 39,127

25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities 529 1,730 1,299 1,335

25.6 Medical care 7 10 10 10

25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment 1,081 2,167 1,868 1,920

26.0 Supplies and materials 15,328 20,085 20,366 20,933

31.0 Equipment 2,047 2,076 2,371 2,437

32.0 Land and structures 3,803 13,582 9,998 10,277

41.0 Grants, subsidies, and contributions 272,311 343,675 354,247 364,125

42.0 Insurance claims and indemnities 86 11 56 57

43.0 Interest and dividends 1 7 5 5

44.0 Refunds - -4 - -

92.0 Undistributed 12 15 16 16

Total, other objects 463,973 605,725 615,179 632,323

99.9 Total, new obligations 538,286 677,402 694,000 704,000

Position Data:

Average Salary (dollars), ES Position N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Average Salary (dollars), GS Position $51,929 $56,144 $58,727 $61,780 

Average Grade, GS Position 7.1 7.6 7.6 7.6
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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STATUS OF PROGRAMS

National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund

Current Activities

The Great American Outdoors Act established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) 

for 2021 through 2025, providing the Forest Service with up to $285 million annually. Projects approved under LRF 

focus on reducing the deferred maintenance backlog, while at the same time improving access, enhancing forest 

conditions, and improving the quality of the visitor experience. 

In 2022, the Forest Service continued to make progress on over 500 LRF projects approved in the previous fiscal 

year. Congress appropriated funding to 113 units that increased the Forest Service total project count to 884 as well 

as a contingency fund creating flexibility for addressing higher than expected construction costs. Once projects 

identified through 2022 are completed, over $550 million in deferred maintenance will be addressed at over 2,000 

recreation sites, 100 buildings, 16,500 miles of trail, and 6,500 miles of road. 

Throughout 2022, the LRF Program continued to improve outdoor recreation opportunities across the country, 

bringing sites into compliance with accessibility standards, and contributing to the agency’s equity and climate 

goals. 2022 closed with more than 35 percent, approximately $183 million of LRF funding, allocated to projects that 

address deferred maintenance areas of high social vulnerability (CDC Social Vulnerability Index). Ninety-seven 

percent of contract obligations (roughly $235,918,028) is with small businesses, including women-owned, 

HUBZone, service-disabled veteran owned, and tribal firms. Among all projects in progress, there are 131 

agreements with youth corps.

The Forest Service 2024 National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund project lists are included in the 

appendix to the 2024 Budget request. The Forest Service has developed these projects in accordance with GAOA 

requirements and Administration guidance. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Bee Rock Campground Restoration: One of the projects completed in 2022 was the Bee Rock Campground on the 

Daniel Boone National Forest, located in an area of high social vulnerability in Southeastern Kentucky. The beloved 

recreation area was damaged by a flood in 2019 and subsequent fires at a bridge constructed by the Civilian 

Conservation Corp. These events created significant maintenance needs, but with GAOA funds, the campground 

was fully reconstructed, and the foot bridge was restored. The work was completed in partnership with numerous 

volunteers, including American Conservation Experience and Southeast Conservation Crew. This project was part of 

an effort to repair campgrounds, kiosks, and toilets, across the region. 

Brush Disposal

Current Activities

This program provides for the disposal of unmerchantable brush and other debris resulting from timber purchaser 

operations on timber sale contracts, stewardship contracts, and permits not removed by the purchaser. Timber 

harvest activities create slash and other debris that, if left untreated, can increase the risk of fire, impair reforestation, 

and contribute to the growth in undesirable insect populations. Brush disposal treatments can be mechanical (e.g., 

scattering, chipping, or crushing slash) or by prescribed burning. Timber sale operators can perform the required 

work, or they can request that the Forest Service complete this work by depositing funds to cover these costs. Brush 

Disposal receipts originate from deposits for the estimated cost of disposing of brush and other debris resulting from 

timber harvest operations, should the purchaser elect not to perform the disposal work. As a result of the agency’s 

budget modernization efforts, National Program Support rates were reduced in 2022. The National Program Support 

rates is a program that sets collection rates on sale area improvement plans and other collection plans. The funds are 

used at the national office for related national level projects and program administration, allowing more funds to be 

utilized on the ground in the sale area.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

In 2022, on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest in the Chicken Soup project area Brush Disposal funds were used 

to burn and masticate fuel after a salvage sale in a popular hiking area that was badly infested with insects and 

disease. This project also helped to reduce the fire risk because of treating the dense understory that had existed. In 

2022, nationally 53,000 acres of piles were burned in support of reducing activity fuels after harvest treatments.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-176

Timber Salvage Sales

Current Activities

This program facilitates the timely removal of timber damaged by fire, wind, insects, diseases, or other events to aid 

in maintaining healthy and resilient forests and ensuring community safety. Revenues collected from the sale of 

timber from dead and dying trees are used to prepare and administer future timber salvage sales, including obtaining 

Forest Service engineering support. These funds are immediately available to respond to timber salvage 

opportunities. In 2022, the National Program Support rates funds at the national office for related national level 

projects and program administration were reduced, allowing more funds to be utilized on the ground for future 

salvage timber sales. The removal of dead or dying timber through timber sale contracts is a valuable tool to reduce 

the potential for catastrophic wildland fire and other hazards. Timber salvage also helps maximize the recovery of 

timber product value that would otherwise be lost. Through the collection of Knutson-Vandenberg Act funds, timber 

salvage sales can also provide for restoration of an affected area.

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Use of funds: In 2022, 4.7 percent, (231,000 Centum Cubic Feet (CCF)) of the total volume offered for sale was 

funded with salvage sale funds. Completion of Knutson-Vandenberg timber sale area projects is highly dependent 

upon the rate at which timber harvest units are harvested and accepted as completed. Factors include weather 

conditions that can slow down the rate of timber harvest and decisions made by the timber sale purchaser regarding 

which units are harvested in a given operating season.

Timber Sales Pipeline Restoration

Current Activities

This program provides an additional source of funds for restoring the timber sale pipeline and to address the backlog 

of recreation projects. This program contributes to several land and resource management objectives, including 

improving forest health, restoring wildlife habitat, and providing forest products to meet local and national needs. 

Additionally, this fund helps address health and safety issues related to recreation facilities and system trails, 

benefiting the public by addressing maintenance issues that may cause harm or detract from their outdoor 

experience. These activities are aligned with the agency’s integrated watershed improvement goals and ensure that 

forests and grasslands are conserved, restored, and resilient. Seventy-five percent of net funds are used for the 

preparation of future non-salvage timber sales to restore the timber sales pipeline volume. This activity provides for 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis. Expenditures may also include the necessary planning and 

design for the associated timber roads. The remaining twenty-five percent of net funds are expended on the 

maintenance backlog for recreation facility projects and system trails, including maintenance and improvement of 

recreation sites, system trails, bridges, and trailheads. 

Selected Example of Recent Progress

In 2022, the program continued to expand in the Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6), with collections exceeding 

expenditures. This enables more funds to be available in upcoming fiscal years for sale prep activities to meet long 

term forest health and desired condition objectives, determining the volume and value of the trees to be removed, 

and timber sale layout and design leading to timber sale offer in future years. 

Forest Botanical Products

Current Activities

This program collects fees from persons who harvest forest botanical products on National Forest System lands, and 

are used to cover costs associated with granting, modifying, or administering authorizations for harvesting, including 

environmental analyses.65 Work activities include inventory, analysis, sustainability determination for harvest levels, 

permit issuance and administration, and monitoring to facilitate the sale and harvest of forest botanical products. 

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Forest Botanical Program Ranking: The Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6) has the most active Forest Botanical 

Products program, collecting $857,000 in 2022, compared to the Southern Region (Region 8) with the second most 

active program, collecting $35,000. Activities associated with this program help maintain, enhance, and restore 

65 Forest botanical products are defined as “naturally occurring special forest products, including, but not limited to, bark, berries, 

boughs, bryophytes, bulbs, burls, cones, ferns, fungi (including mushrooms and truffles), forbs, grasses, mosses, nuts, pine straw, 

roots, sedges, seeds, shrubs, transplants, tree sap, and wildflowers” (36 C.F.R. §223.277).
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forest ecosystems to desired conditions, and to provide for the sale and harvest of forest botanical products in a 

sustainable manner that contributes to meeting the Nation’s demand for these goods and services.

Stewardship Contracting

Current Activities

This program allows the Forest Service to apply the value of timber or other forest products from stewardship 

contracts as an offset against the costs to accomplish additional land and resource management objectives. If the 

offset value exceeds the value of the resource improvement treatments, those receipts are retained and deposited in 

the Stewardship Contracting fund and are available until expended for other authorized stewardship projects. 

Detailed information about the program’s recent accomplishments can be found in the Stewardship Contracting 

special exhibit.

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Biomass: In 2022, the agency sold over 2.3 million green tons of biomass (fresh cut woody material at a “green” 

moisture content of half water and half woody material) to various wood energy and wood products markets.

Recreation Fees, Forest Service (also referred to as the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Fund)

Current Activities

This program uses fees collected from recreation sites to complete programs, projects, and activities that improve 

visitors’ experiences on National Forest System lands. Programs, projects, and activities include backlog repairs, 

annual operation and maintenance, interpretive services, signage, habitat restoration, outfitter and guide 

enhancement, resource preservation, and law enforcement. Ninety-five percent of fees collected are spent at the 

locations where the fees were collected. The remaining five percent may be used for programs, projects, and 

activities selected at the discretion of the Regional Forester. 

Recreation Fees, Forest Service Site Specific

This fund collects approximately $100 million annually. Ninety-five percent of collections are used to administer 

recreation facilities and provide public use services. The remaining five percent is allocated to the regional offices to 

support strategic program oversight, financial management, and training; and to provide grants to forests for 

improvements and special projects.

Recreation Fees, Forest Service Agency Specific

This program provides funding, in part, for the National Recreation Reservation Service – or recreation.gov – an 

interagency e-government initiative providing a reservation system for all recreation facilities on public lands that 

allow reservations.

Recreation Fees, Forest Service Grey Towers National Historic Site Fees

This program collects fees for admission and use of facilities on Grey Towers. Collections are used to administer 

Grey Towers; provide interpretive and education programs and projects that perpetuate the legacy of Gifford Pinchot 

for the general public and youth; offer public programs that foster stewardship of natural resources; and provide 

conservation leadership development programs to enhance the dialogues occurring within the natural resource 

community.

Shasta-Trinity National Forest Marina Fees

This program collects fees received from the marina project to fund the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area. 

Funds are used to meet critical health and safety standards, address portions of the maintenance backlog, provide for 

innovative projects (including high quality interpretive and environmental education programs), installation and 

maintenance of over 300 underwater obstacle markers and 100 safety-related floating directional signs, 

establishment and maintenance of the National Recreation Area Boating Safety Program, implementation and 

administration of the program’s Marina Standards, maintenance of a floating toilet program, and the construction of 

accessible facilities to provide greater access for persons with disabilities. The goal of these projects is to meet the 

National Recreation Area’s intent to showcase recreation opportunities in the agency.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Marine Corps Reservists Recreation Project on the Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon (Facility Improvement): As part 

of their annual training, about 100 Marine Corps Reservists completed several projects in the Oregon Dunes 

National Recreation Area in the Siuslaw National Forest. The Forest Service invested $25,000 in Federal Lands

Recreation Enhancement Act revenue for materials and supplies. The Marine Corps Reservists constructed a lane for 

sand campers at Driftwood II Campground to reduce air pressure in their tires and felled 75 hazardous trees at 
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campgrounds and sand camping areas. The Reservists also installed traffic barriers, cleared encroaching sand, a 

stairs improvement to allow sand access from the top of the dune, and poured concrete table pads at Off-Highway 

Vehicle (OHV) and day use parking areas.

Beach Renovation Huron-Manistee National Forest, Michigan (Facility Improvement): Engineering and recreation 

staff in Huron-Manistee National Forest renovated Island Lake Beach Area. Staff removed old structures, re-graded 

and stabilized the beach, and built new structures. The Forest used $19,900 in Federal Lands Recreation 

Enhancement Act (FLREA) revenue to replace existing timber stairs and retaining walls with large boulders and 

used $33,104 in FLREA revenue to replace existing toilets with a new concrete double vault toilet building.

Timber Purchaser Election Road Construction

Current Activities

This program supports the construction and reconstruction of any permanent road or bridge as required under the 

terms and conditions of a timber sale contract. When a small business timber purchaser is awarded a contract, the 

purchaser may elect to pay the Forest Service to construct or reconstruct specified roads in the timber sale contract 

area to a standard necessary to harvest and remove timber and other forest products. The agency then uses the funds 

to contract for the required roadwork and administer the contract. This program benefits small timber contractors 

who might otherwise be unable to bid on Forest Service timber sales and provides for appropriate road 

improvements to prevent soil degradation, stream sedimentation, or other damages.

Purchaser Election Vegetative Treatment

This program supports activities to improve forest health through vegetative treatments in timber stands at high risk 

of fire due to insect, disease, and drought; road work in support of vegetative treatments to support forest health 

objectives; and maintenance of infrastructure for the processing of woody fiber.

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Starting in 2022, the agency began to evaluate how Purchase Election funds (PEPE) funds are being utilized and 

continues in 2023 to formulate a legislative ask to shift PEPE funds to PEP2 and CIM to better align these funds for 

use in support of the 10-year fire strategy. This will be worked into the 2025 budget request, if it is not incorporated 

into a different legislative measure. In 2022, $1.5 million in PEPE funds were spent in Regions 6 and 8 to support 

timber sales purchased by qualifying small business purchasers who elected to have the Forest Service construct the 

roads to facilitate implementation of the timber sales. On the Gifford Pinchot NF in Region 6, PEPE funds financed 

the construction of roads on the Buck Stewardship DXP IRTC and the White DXP Thin ReOffer.

Operation and Maintenance of Forest Service Quarters

Current Activities

Funds collected are used for the cost of maintenance, operation, and management of employee housing 

facilities, including associated utility systems. Funds are directed toward addressing health and safety issues 

such as lead-based paint, asbestos, and radon, as well as to address accessibility for the disabled, gender 

equality, energy efficiency, water conservation, and annual maintenance needs. Funding levels are based on 

estimated receipts and collections, primarily rents from employee-tenants.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Starting in 2022 and continuing in 2023, the agency is working to crosswalk data from two different databases (one 

internal and one external) to create a visual display of existing active and inactive housing. The goal is to utilize this 

crosswalk in developing an agency housing strategy that will prioritize maintenance and new construction of 

housing for the agency. 

Roads and Trails for States

Current Activities

This fund collects ten percent of all National Forest Fund receipts each fiscal year, without regard to the State in 

which the amounts are derived, for the repair or reconstruction of roads, bridges, and trails on National Forest 

System lands; or to implement and administer projects to improve forest health conditions in wildland-urban 

interface communities where there is a high risk of fire. Projects and activities emphasize reducing risks to human 

safety and public health and property, and improving ecological functions, long-term forest productivity, and 

biological integrity. 
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Selected Examples of Recent Progress

In 2022, about $19 million was collected to be used for a variety of appropriate projects to maintain, repair or 

reconstruct roads, and trails in the upcoming years. Planned accomplishments focus on mitigating health and safety 

concerns and correcting road and trail deficiencies that are adversely affecting ecosystems, such as removing 

barriers to aquatic organism passage at stream crossings. 

Land Between the Lakes Management

Current Activities

This program uses funds from user fees and natural resource use – including timber and agricultural receipts – to 

manage projects and activities on the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area; including payments, 

salaries, and expenses. These projects and activities provide recreational opportunities to the public, conserve 

species and habitats, increase species diversity, and offer environmental education. 

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Land Between the Lakes receives over 1.5 million visitors annually. As a result of tornadoes in December 2021, 

Land Between the Lakes offered 11 salvage sales for a total of 66,000 CCF as part of the post storm recovery effort 

in 2022.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Rental Fees

Current Activities

This program uses net receipts from user fees, sales of surplus equipment, and rental fees on the Midewin National 

Tallgrass Prairie to restore ecosystems and habitats on the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie; enhance biodiversity; 

promote scientific, environmental, and educational research; and develop best practices for land management39. 

Selected Example of Recent Progress

In 2022 visitation numbers rebounded to pre-pandemic numbers through outdoor learning and interpretation 

opportunities for the public. The Midewin offered 1-10 programs monthly, both online and in-person targeting both 

adult and youth audiences including topics on IBee the Difference; Midewin Prairie 101; Bison Expedition; Plant a 

Patch of Prairie At Home, Wetlands; and From Cows to Corn-How Agriculture is Helping to Restore the Prairie. 

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Restoration

Current Activities

The Illinois Land Conservation Act of 1995 established the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (MNTP) to be 

managed as part of the National Forest System. Receipts from user fees and salvage receipts (cited in the Act as 

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Fund), may be used from amounts in the fund, in such amounts as are provided 

in advance in appropriation acts. The fund can be used for restoration and administration of the Midewin Tallgrass 

Prairie; including construction of visitor center and education center; restoration of ecosystems; construction of 

recreational facilities; construction of trails; construction of administrative offices; the operation and maintenance of 

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie; and receipts from inclusion in any cost recovery or any pilot program for the 

collection, use, and distribution of user fees.

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Midewin implemented a $203,000 challenge cost share agreement with the University of Missouri to evaluate 

prairie restoration with active bison grazing. This included bird surveys, vegetation monitoring, monitoring the bison 

herd with GPS tracking collars, as well as herbiciding 180 acres. 

Quinault Special Management Area

Current Activities

This program retains ten percent of the gross proceeds from the sale of forest products on the Quinault Special 

Management Area to be used for administration of future timber sales. 

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Approximately $2,700 in forest products were sold in 2022, however no new timber sales were being administered 

within the Quinault Special Management Area. The Quinault Tribe receives 45% of revenue generated. The last 

timber sale that occurred in the area was in 2016 and the forest continues to work with the tribe to develop future 

opportunities for management.
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Restoration of Forest Lands and Improvements

Current Activities

This authority protects the interests of the Forest Service in situations where work is to be done by a permittee or 

timber purchaser. This fund receives monies from forfeiture of a bond or deposit by a permittee or timber purchaser 

for failure to complete performance of improvement, protection, or rehabilitation work required under the permit or 

timber sale contract; or the result of a judgment, compromise, or settlement of any claim, involving present or 

potential damage to lands or improvements. Funds are available until expended to cover the costs of performing the 

required work. Any funds received in excess of the amount expended in performing the work shall be transferred to 

miscellaneous receipts.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

Post-fire recovery and restoration in the Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) has been a primary user of these funds 

in 2022, with over $62 million spent on numerous landscapes. Funds were used to restore damages made by the 

following fires in California: the El Portal Fire, Canyon 2 Fire, Flat Fire, Powerhouse Fire, and the Moonlight Fire.

Commercial Filming and Still Photography Land Use Fee Retention

Current Activities

This program uses permit fees from commercial filming and still photography on National Forest System lands to 

manage and administer commercial filming and still photography activities; and to develop and implement agency 

policies related to commercial filming and still photography.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

El Yunque National Forest: Among the authorizations for commercial filming on national forests in 2022, El 

Yunque National Forest issued a permit to DIGIPHILE PRODUCTIONS LLC for a crew of 10 people with three 

authorized vehicles to film hiking on the Mt. Britton Trail with personal cameras attached to their bodies and a crew 

member following behind with a handheld camera. The unit charged a use fee of $150, which the unit retained. 

The Pisgah Ranger District: This district issued a permit to Sharp Entertainment LLC to film a portion of a TV 

episode at the popular Looking Glass Falls location at a cost $200, which the unit retained. The filming included a 

crew of nine, with six vehicles, and a drone, which was permitted in accordance with FAA requirements for drone 

operations. 

Organizational Camp Program

Current Activities

The agency has approximately 300 Organizational Camps currently authorized under special use permit. Examples 

of current holders included: church groups, Lions Clubs, Rotary clubs, YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scout 

councils, 4-H, and local governments to conduct camp sessions for young people or disabled persons.

This program collects land and facility use fees, and in some instances revenue fees, from organizations that use 

National Forest System lands to conduct camp sessions.66 These fees are available until expended for program 

administration; performing oversight, inspection, and monitoring of existing special use authorizations to ensure 

compliance with terms and conditions; interpretive programs; environmental analysis and restoration activities; and 

similar purposes.

Organizational camp fees are based on a percentage of the agricultural land value, adjusted downward for services 

provided to disabled individuals and at-risk youth. Fees collected are available until expended for program 

administration, monitoring special use authorizations, interpretive programs, environmental analysis and restoration 

activities, and similar purposes.

There is a three-part fee system which are Land Use Fees, Facility Use Fees, and Fees Based on Other revenue. 

Retained land use fees supplement discretionary appropriations from the NFS Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness 

program and from other budget line items. These revenues are an integral part of sustaining the agency’s special use 

programs. Outputs associated with these programs are reported as permits administered to standard.

66 Organizations include Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and faith-based and community-based groups that provide a valuable service to 

individuals with a disability, young people, and their families.
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Selected Examples of Recent Progress

An example of an organizational camp operating under special use permit on National Forest System lands is the 

Cispus Learning Center, a 68-acre campus, located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It provides a unique 

northwest outdoor learning environment for K-12 students in schools of the State of Washington. It is open 364 days 

a year to elementary, middle school and high school students for environmental and leadership education and for atrisk students using a challenge (ropes) course. The challenge course work was developed to effectively apply the 

knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel 

and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. After a 

precipitous decline during 2020 and 2021 this organization is almost back to pre-pandemic use numbers.

Cost Recovery (Land Uses)

Current Activities

This program uses receipts for land use on National Forest System lands to recover administrative costs associated 

with non-occupancy special use authorizations.67 Administrative work activities include application review and 

processing; developing terms and conditions related to safety of the public and protection of public health and 

resources; completing all applicable environmental, social, and economic analysis pursuant to the National 

Environmental Policy Act; and performing oversight and inspection of activities associated with construction or 

reconstruction. 

Administrative costs are determined based on the number of hours associated with each application and 

authorization. Applications and authorizations that require more than 50 hours of Forest Service time to process and 

monitor are billed for all applicable administrative costs. Those that require 50 hours or less of administrative time 

are billed using a tiered flat fee system.

68 Waivers for cost recovery fees are available to local, State, and Federal 

government applicants and for recreation use authorizations that take 50 hours or less to complete.

Cost Recovery Lands Major Projects

The Forest Service designates projects proposing recreation and non-recreation (land) uses that require more than 50 

hours of agency time to process or monitor as major projects. Uses involving construction or reconstruction are also 

deemed to be major categories for which the agency collects all appropriate administrative costs.

Cost Recovery Lands Minor Projects

All non-recreation (land) uses not subject to exemption or waiver that require 50 hours or less of agency time to 

process are designated as minor projects. A flat fee schedule, established in four different tiers, and subject to annual 

indexing, is used for these proposals.

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

In 2022, the Forest Service collected $3,141,146 in major cost recovery agreements and $785,690 in minor cost 

recovery. Among those agreements were a 3-year agreement for the installation of multiple fiber optic lines and 

communication towers on the Black Hills National Forest and 2-year agreement for consolidation of approximately 

300 miles of power line authorizations into a master permit on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. 

Smokey Bear Official Licensing Program

Current Activities

This program uses royalties and fees from the licensed manufacture, reproduction, and other use of the name or 

character “Smokey Bear.” The licensee contractor manages the marketing and administration of the commercial 

license program. The national fire prevention program staff manages the licensing contract. Smokey Bear royalties 

also support the National Smokey Bear Award program and the national fire prevention public service campaign. 

The Chief of the Forest Service has discretionary authority to use money from royalties in special projects that 

support the Smokey Bear wildfire prevention message. Smokey Bear will turn 80 in 2024.

67 Examples of authorized land uses include rights-of-way (road, utility, and oil and gas), apiaries, domestic water supply 

conveyance systems, communications sites, hydroelectric power generating sites, ski areas, resorts, marinas, municipal sewage

treatment plants, and public parks and playgrounds. 68 Tiered flat fees are reviewed annually and may change.
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Licensee Program Woodsy Owl

Current Activities

The Woodsy Owl program supports national initiatives, programs, and products to increase public awareness of 

activities and issues related to the improvement and maintenance of the environment. The Conservation Education 

program provides funding for developing Woodsy Owl activities, educational products, partnerships, and managing 

the licensing program. The program develops and distributes publications, distance learning programs, and mobile 

app-based conservation missions. 

Forest Service Go Green Program (Conservation)

Current Activities

The Forest Service continues to promote the “Go Green” program on the national forests and grasslands to help 

meet the agency’s recycling and waste reduction goals. Go Green funds are collected not only from recycling simple 

items such as cans, but also from recycling abandoned vehicles and appliances, which makes this funding essential 

for land management. This funding enables field units to also accomplish clean-up activities they otherwise might 

not be able to accomplish. 

PAYMENTS TO STATES

Current Activities

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (SRS Act) was enacted to provide for 

transitional assistance to states and rural counties affected by the decline in national forest receipts, largely from 

declining timber sale receipt. In 2022, the Forest Service distributed $238 million to support roads, schools, Federal 

projects, and county projects. This information can be found on the Secure Rural Schools website69. 

Payments to Minnesota Counties

This authority derives from the Thye-Blatnick Act of June 22, 1948, as amended (16 U.S.C. 577g), Payment for 

Additional Lands Acquired in Northern Minnesota. This Act directed the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire resorts, 

cabins, and private lands within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Permanent residents were prohibited 

after 1974. Additionally, in-lieu-of-tax payments were authorized to Cook, Lake, and St. Louis Counties for Federal 

wilderness land from any national forest receipts not otherwise appropriated. At the close of each fiscal year, the 

State of Minnesota is paid three-fourths of 1 percent of the appraised value of certain Superior National Forest lands 

in the counties of St. Louis, Cook, and Lake for distribution to those counties. The land value is reappraised every 

10 years. 

Payments to Counties, Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act

This authority derives from title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act of July 22, 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 

1012), Payments to counties. This Act pertains primarily to national grasslands and land use projects. Annual 

payments are authorized to counties that contain Forest Service lands acquired under the Bankhead-Jones Act. 

Twenty-five percent of the revenues received during the year, excluding receipts from the sale of land, from each 

national grassland or land utilization project are paid to the counties in which such lands are located. The funds are 

restricted to uses that benefit public schools and roads.

National Forest Fund Payments to States Available, Title I & III

The National Forest Fund Payments to States is an account where all receipts are deposited that will be used for 

Title I and Title III payments, and Title II deposits, made under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self 

Determination Act of 2000 (SRS Act). These funds, combined with a Payments to States U.S. Treasury transfer, are 

the source of funding for payments to States under the SRS Act, most recently reauthorized by the Bipartisan 

Infrastructure Law, (P.L. 117-58). 

The SRS Act as amended (16 U.S.C. Ch. 90) directs that Title I funds be used to help fund county schools and roads. 

Title III may be used on county projects including activities under the Firewise Communities program, 

reimbursement for emergency services on national forests, preparation of a community wildfire protection plan and 

provide or expand access to broadband telecommunications services.

69 https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2022/04/15/president-biden-usda-forest-service-announce-more238-million
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Secure Payments for States (SRS), Title II

The SRS Act provides choices to counties for funding resource improvement projects recommended by Secure 

Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) on the national forest where the county is located. Any SRS 

Title II project funds not obligated by September 30, 2026, will be returned to the U.S. Treasury. Title II funds are 

used by the Forest Service to carry out projects in eligible counties to further resource objectives consistent with the 

purposes of the SRS Act on Federal land and on non-Federal land where projects would benefit the resources on 

Federal land. Title II funds are used for projects such as active forest management, road maintenance, trail 

maintenance, invasive weed control, and restoration of wildlife habitat, streams, and watersheds. These projects 

provide local jobs and often provide opportunities to promote youth and volunteer engagement in national forests 

and grasslands.
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TRUST FUNDS

LEAD-OFF TABULAR STATEMENT

Table FS-63. Lead-Off Tabular Statement (In dollars)

Item Amount

Enacted, 2023........................................................................................................................... $341,129,000 

Change in Appropriation.......................................................................................................... +6,499,000

Budget Estimate, 2024 ............................................................................................................. 347,628,000 
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PROJECT STATEMENTS

Table FS-64. Appropriations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Chg 

Key

Mandatory Appropriations:

Cooperative Work - Knutson-Vandenberg............. $73,373 269 $62,780 181 $82,047 235 $74,275 235 -$7,772 - (1)

Cooperative Work - Other...................................... 12,406 43 9,088 30 12,954 30 11,225 30 -1,729 - (2)

Reforestation Trust Funda ...................................... 30,000 56 261,781 37 262,000 188 262,000 188 - - 

Land Between the Lakes Trust Fund...................... 128 - 128 - 128 - 128 - - - 

Subtotal, Mandatory Appropriations................... 115,907 368 333,777 248 357,129 453 347,628 453 -9,501 -

Offsetting Collections:

Cooperative Work – Other..................................... 24,934 106 25,439 91 25,439 91 25,439 91 - -

Subtotal, Offsetting Collections.......................... 24,934 106 25,439 91 25,439 91 25,439 91 - -

Total, Adjusted Appropriations ................................ 140,841 474 359,216 339 382,568 544 373,067 544 -9,501 -

Add back:

Sequestrations ........................................................ 559 - -877 - -16,000 - - - +16,000 -

Total, Appropriations............................................. 141,400 474 358,339 339 366,568 544 373,067 544 +6,499 -

Sequestrations ........................................................ -559 - 877 - 16,000 - - - -16,000 -

Recoveries, Other .................................................. 4,101 - 2,887 - 3,928 - 3,975 - +47 -

Balance Available, SOY ........................................ 309,375 - 330,676 - 535,830 - 537,017 - +1,187 -

Total Available ........................................................ 454,317 474 692,779 339 922,326 544 914,059 544 -8,267 -

Bal. Available, EOY .............................................. -330,676 - -535,830 - -537,017 - -420,533 - +116,484 -

Total Obligations .................................................... 123,641 474 156,949 339 369,309 544 493,526 544 +124,217 -

a The Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees (REPLANT) Act, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58), removed the $30 million annual cap.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Table FS-65. Obligations Details Project Statement (thousands of dollars, FTEs)

Item 2021

Actual FTE

2022

Actual FTE

2023 

Estimated FTE

2024 

Estimated FTE

Inc. or 

Dec.

FTE 

Inc. or 

Dec.

Mandatory Obligations:

Cooperative Work - Knutson-Vandenberg................. $58,995 269 $42,876 181 $145,849 235 $194,905 235 +$49,056 -

Cooperative Work – Other......................................... 13,788 43 38,909 30 75,446 30 100,823 30 +25,377 -

Reforestation Trust Funda .......................................... 28,102 56 75,164 37 147,846 188 197,574 188 +49,728 -

Land Between the Lakes Trust Fund.......................... 117 - - - 168 - 224 - +56 -

Subtotal, Mandatory Obligations............................. 101,002 368 156,949 248 369,309 453 493,526 453 +124,217 -

Offsetting Collections:

Cooperative Work – Other......................................... 22,639 106 - 91 - 91 - 91 - -

Subtotal, Offsetting Collections Obligations........... 22,639 106 - 91 - 91 - 91 - -

Total Obligations......................................................... 123,641 474 156,949 339 369,309 544 493,526 544 +124,217 -

Balances Available, EOY:

Cooperative Work - Knutson-Vandenberg................. 208,871 - 230,111 - 272,059 - 213,047 - -59,012 -

Cooperative Work – Other......................................... 105,311 - 101,709 - 128,301 - 100,471 - -27,830 -

Reforestation Trust Funda .......................................... 10,461 - 197,849 - 129,100 - 101,097 - -28,003 -

Land Between the Lakes Trust Fund.......................... 6,033 - 6,161 - 7,557 - 5,918 - -1,639 -

Total, Balances Available, EOY ................................... 330,676 - 535,830 - 537,017 - 420,533 - -116,484 -

Total Available ............................................................ 454,317 474 692,779 339 906,326 544 914,059 544 +7,733 -

Less:

Sequestration.............................................................. 559 - -877 - -16,000 - - - 16,000 -

Recoveries, Other ...................................................... -4,101 - -2,887 - -3,928 - -3,975 - -47 -

Balance Available, SOY ............................................ -309,375 - -330,676 - -535,830 - -537,017 - -1,187 -

Total Appropriation.................................................... 141,400 474 358,339 339 350,568 544 373,067 544 +22,499 -

a The Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees (REPLANT) Act, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58), removed the $30 million annual cap.
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CLASSIFICATION BY OBJECTS

Table FS-66. Classification by Objects (thousands of dollars) 

Item 

No. Item 2021Actual

2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Personnel Compensation:

Washington D.C......................................................... $257 $99 $159 $99

Personnel compensation, field ................................... 30,153 14,814 27,814 27,814

11.0 Total personnel compensation................................. 30,410 14,913 27,973 27,913

12.0 Personal benefits........................................................ 10,377 6,333 10,333 10,333

Total, personnel compensation and benefits........... 40,787 21,246 38,306 38,246

Other Objects:

21.0 Travel and transportation of persons.......................... 540 468 1,753 1,372

22.0 Transportation of things............................................. 216 322 935 972

23.1 Rental payments to GSA............................................ 9 9 31 43

23.2 Rental payments to others.......................................... 6 46 90 124

23.3 Communications, utilities, and misc. charges............ 264 481 1,295 953

24.0 Printing and reproduction .......................................... 6 27 57 79

25.1 Advisory and assistance services............................... 8 12 35 48

25.2 Other services from non-Federal sources................... 49,125 47,518 214,188 213,692

25.3 Other goods and services from Federal sources......... 4,879 3,003 13,028 13,095

25.4 Operation and maintenance of facilities..................... 271 41 543 746

25.5 Research and development contracts......................... 5 - 9 12

25.6 Medical care............................................................... 3 2 9 12

25.7 Operation and maintenance of equipment.................. 279 307 1,019 1,402

26.0 Supplies and materials............................................... 12,035 42,526 35,616 35,530

31.0 Equipment.................................................................. 1,217 1,106 2,892 2,653

32.0 Land and structures.................................................... 418 1,044 1,121 1,293

41.0 Grants, subsidies, and contributions .......................... 13,573 10,589 34,776 159,637

43.0 Interest and dividends................................................ - 1 2 2

92.0 Undistributed ............................................................. - 2 3 5

Total, other objects.................................................. 82,854 107,504 307,402 431,670

99.9 Reimbursable obligations........................................... - 28,199 23,601 23,610

99.9 Total, new obligations............................................. 123,641 156,949 369,309 493,526

Position Data:

Average Salary (dollars), ES Position........................ N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Average Salary (dollars), GS Position ....................... $56,834 $58,331 $61,014 $64,187 

Average Grade, GS Position ...................................... 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0
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STATUS OF PROGRAMS

Cooperative Work – Knutson-Vandenberg

Current Activities

This program uses funds derived from timber sale revenues to perform improvements within the timber sale area. 

Planned resource project work is documented in the sale area improvement plans as determined by the project 

environmental analysis. The program priority for Knutson- Vandenberg (K-V) funds is reforestation of harvested 

areas; however, funds may also be used to perform timber stand improvement and protection. These funds may also 

be used for the improvement of other resource values, including wildlife, soil, watershed, range, and recreation. 

National Program Support rates, which are funds that are used at the national office for related national level 

projects and program administration, were reduced for 2022 as a result of budget Modernization to allow more funds 

to be utilized on the ground in the sale area and will stay at 2022 levels. 

Knutson-Vandenberg Regional Work

The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (P.L. 109-54) 

expanded the authority to allow for the expenditure of unused funds not needed to accomplish work on the timber 

sale area on another area “...within the Forest Service region in which the timber sale occurred.” Unused collections 

are generated when actual costs are less than planned costs. This authority is used to accomplish watershed 

restoration; wildlife habitat improvement; control of insects, disease, and noxious weeds; community protection 

activities; and the maintenance of forest roads. The work can be performed using contracts, forest product sales, and 

cooperative agreements. If forest product sales are used to accomplish these objectives, K-V Regional Work 

program funds may be utilized for timber sale planning, preparation, administration, engineering support, and 

landline location. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

In 2022, forests continued to increase the use of the Cooperative Work, Knutson-Vandenburg (Regional) authority 

through the intentional collection of Cooperative Work, Knutson-Vandenburg funds for priority projects, from forest 

product sales receipts. In 2022, over 595,600 acres and 1,029 miles of Cooperative Work, Knutson- Vandenburg 

related activities were completed. These projects varied across the nation from performing surveys/monitoring, 

mending range fences, seedling protection, planting trees, creating habitat, invasive species control, and many more 

activities. Without this source of funding most of these projects would not have been completed using another 

funding source. 

Cooperative Work – Other

Current Activities 

This fund is used to collect deposits received from partners and cooperators for protecting and improving resources 

of the National Forest System as authorized by cooperative agreements. The deposits are for a wide variety of 

activities that benefit and support programs in Forest and Rangeland Research on National Forest System lands and 

for other agency activities. 

Cooperative deposits are received from a vast assortment of local, regional, and national organizations and 

individuals; State and other public agencies; industrial associations; and other private sources. The deposits are 

made under a variety of cooperative instruments that specify the mutual benefits of the work. Cooperative deposits 

leverage appropriated funds to increase effectiveness and complement the objectives of Forest Service appropriated 

resource management programs and cooperative research projects. These programs and projects may involve any 

aspect of forestry and vary widely in scope and duration. 

Cooperative road maintenance deposits can be made by commercial users of the National Forest Road System in 

lieu of actually performing their commensurate share of road maintenance. These deposits are used in conjunction 

with the other road maintenance appropriations to provide maintenance of National Forest System roads by the 

Forest Service. 

Deposits for administering and protecting non-Federal land within or near the national forests can be made by 

owners of non-Federal lands that are intermingled with or adjacent to National Forest System lands. These deposits 

help landowners manage their lands in accordance with good forest management practices and provide for wildfire 

protection on State and private lands intermingled with Federal ownership. 

Cooperative Work, Agreement Based
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This is a direct project-to-customer relationship, typically involving long-term liability on the part of the Forest 

Service to perform work for the contributor. An example of this work is a special use permit with collection 

provisions under the Granger-Thye Offset where the Forest Service has a liability to perform work for the permit 

holder specially tied to the permit. These agreements are typically accompanied by a collection agreement. 

Cooperative Work, Non-Agreement Based

These deposits occur when the terms of the authorizing instrument, such as a permit or sale contract, allow for 

deposits from multiple contributors to be pooled and expended for the intended purpose. Most of these pooled 

collections are not subject to refunds in accordance with the provisions of the respective authorizing instrument. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

In 2022, Cooperative Work, Non-Agreement Based collections were 122% of expenditures, compared to 164% 

during 2021. 

Reforestation Trust Fund

Current Activities

This fund receives budgetary resources from transfers overseen by the U.S. Treasury of tariff collections on certain 

imported wood products. Historically, such transfers were capped in law at $30 million in a fiscal year. The 

Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees (REPLANT) Act, as part of the Bipartisan 

Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58), removed the $30 million annual cap. It is currently estimated that $300 million or 

more may be available annually. This Act may allow the Forest Service to plant 1.2 billion trees and may create 

nearly 49,000 jobs over the next 10 years. Funds are used to reduce the backlog in reforestation and for stand 

improvement work. 

Reforestation activities include site preparation for planting or seeding of the appropriate tree species, site 

preparation to facilitate natural regeneration, and certification of acres naturally regenerated without the need for site 

preparation. In addition, as part of the reforestation activity, various treatments are applied to improve initial 

seedling survival rates. Benefits of reforestation include regeneration of forest vegetation on areas impacted by 

wildfire, floods, and hurricanes; increased carbon sequestration capacity; establishment of resilient forest vegetation; 

and improved habitat diversity for many wildlife species. 

Stand improvement projects include removal of competing vegetation, pre-commercial thinning,

70 reducing ladder 

fuels,

71 reducing the effects of terrestrial pathogens,72 burning organic matter 73 and fertilization treatments.74 Stand 

improvement projects improve forest health and productivity, reduce hazardous fuels, create resilient landscapes, 

improve wildlife habitat; and generate woody biomass to meet renewable energy needs in both domestic and foreign 

markets.

Selected Example of Recent Progress

Planting on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest: Over the years planting has become more expensive due 

to the rising cost of labor. With the use of the REPLANT Act, multiple forests were able to plant more than they 

would have been able to afford with just Knutson-Vandenberg funds. In 2022, the Chequamegon- Nicolet National 

Forest is an example of where that occurred: 575 additional acres of red pine (Pinus resinosa), Eastern white pine 

(Pinus strobus), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and tamarack (Larix laracina) were planted over three ranger districts 

to regenerate areas that had been destroyed by windstorms, and areas that had recently been harvested and were 

unable to regenerate themselves with species that would be viable into the future. Without these plantings some 

70 Pre-commercial thinning projects help regulate stand density, composition, and structure before the area is viable for 

commercial harvest.

71 Ladder fuels are fuels that provide vertical continuity between strata, which allow fire to move from surface fuels to taller 

vegetation with relative ease (https://www.nwcg.gov/term/glossary/ladder-fuels). 72 Common examples of terrestrial pathogens include (but are not limited to) butternut canker (Ophiognomonia clavigignetijuglandacearum), laurel wilt (Raffaelea lauricola), sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum), and white pine blister rust

(Cronartium ribicola). 73 Soil-organic matter (SOM) is a complex array of components including soil fauna and flora at different stages of 

decomposition. Burning SOM leads to improved nutrient content in soil. 74 Fertilization treatments help maintain and improve soil productivity and increase stand development.
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areas would not be able to outcompete many fast-growing undesirable species and shrubs which would lead to these 

areas not being able to meet regeneration certification standards within the required timeframe. 

Land Between the Lakes Trust Fund

Current Activities

The Land Between the Lakes Protection Act (Act) (P.L. 105-277) transferred administrative jurisdiction of the Land 

Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBLNRA) from the Tennessee Valley Authority to the Secretary of 

Agriculture to be managed as a unit of the National Forest System. Section 531 of the Act established a special 

interest-bearing fund known as the Land Between the Lakes Trust Fund to be available for public education, grants, 

and internships related to recreation, conservation, and multiple-use land management, as well as regional promotion 

in cooperation with development districts, chambers of commerce, and State and local governments. 

In accordance with the terms described in the Act, beginning on September 30, 2000, the Tennessee Valley 

Authority began depositing $1 million annually into the fund for five consecutive years for a total of $5 million. The 

Forest Service has allowed the fund balance to grow, and the LBLNRA began using the accrued interest for 

activities outlined in the Act, which includes providing additional funding to further assist in the promotion and 

support of the successful school grant program for regional promotion and environmental education. 

Selected Examples of Recent Progress

In 2022, the Land Between the Lakes Trust Fund collected $3.7 million in receipts from user fees (from sources 

such as the various campgrounds, trails, and the Elk and Bison Prairie) to provide for the future management of the 

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. This fiscal year areas such as the Homeplace 1850s Working 

Farm and Living History Museum, the Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory, and Woodlands Nature Station

received allocations of this money to make sure the facilities were kept at optimal performance.
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LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

Summary of Proposed Legislation

Administrative/Appropriation/Authorizing: This proposal seeks a change in Appropriations language.

Funding/Language/Both: This proposal seeks language changes.

Program: Transition Hazardous Fuels Management Program funding from National Forest System to 

Wildland Fire Management

Current legislative authority to be amended: Current Appropriations Act

Proposal: The proposal would shift the Hazardous Fuels (HF) program funding back under the Wildland Fire 

Management (WFM) account because the fire workforce performs most of the hazardous fuels work. It will also 

correspond with other investments made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act 

under the WFM account. This shift best aligns with the original intent of connecting program funding with program 

goals. The goals of the hazardous fuels program are to reduce wildfire risk. The expertise and personnel to 

accomplish this goal align in WFM. 

Rationale: The USDA Forest Service HF program is responsible for completing millions of acres of fuels treatments 

annually that reduce wildfire risk to communities and associated lives, property, infrastructure, and historic and 

cultural assets; reduce exposure to wildland firefighters during suppression activities; create an environment where 

wildland fires can be effectively managed when they occur; and help improve forest health and resiliency. Over 63 

million acres, or approximately 32 percent of the 193 million acres of National Forest System lands, are at high or 

very high risk for uncharacteristic wildfires that burn at a scale and intensity which increases the risks to firefighters, 

communities, and ecosystems75. 

Fire is a healthy and necessary part of the fire-adapted ecosystems the Forest Service manages. The HF program 

uses prescribed fire, natural ignitions, and vegetation management as tools to reduce fuel loads, protect high valued 

resources, and improve ecosystem quality. The HF program routinely integrates treatment work with National Forest 

System (NFS) programs. Due to the need to increase the pace and scale of treatments to reduce the risk of 

uncharacteristic wildfire on the landscape, the HF program independently funds projects to meet fuels objectives. 

The employees who implement these projects are under WFM. The HF program also funds, solely or in concert with 

NFS programs, projects that may produce integrated targets and whose focus is hazardous fuels reduction and forest 

restoration. Overtime, the NFS budget has decreased while the need for hazardous fuels treatments has increased, 

thus the HF program has funded most of the work. Additionally, the expertise for assessing wildfire risk, modeling 

fire behavior, design and placement of hazardous fuels treatments lies predominantly within WFM. The HF work is 

centered around wildfire occurrence, risk, reduction, and response, which aligns under WFM. Close coordination 

with NFS programs on the vegetation management component of projects will continue. Additionally, much of the 

hazardous fuels reduction treatments are prescribed fire, and the expertise and workforce are in WFM. This move 

aligns the work and the workforce.

Funding the HF program under the WFM account aligns closely with the agency’s budget structure and supports the 

Agency’s emphasis on decreasing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire through hazardous fuels reduction as outlined 

in Confronting the Wildfire Crisis Strategy and the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. It also 

supports a comprehensive approach to fire management. The HF program is currently managed by the Agency’s 

Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) directorate under State, Private, and Tribal Forestry. This shift is necessary 

to ensure close collaboration and cooperation with WFM personnel and many of the expansive programs that are 

integrated into the comprehensive approach. HF activities can occur on both National Forest System lands and nonForest Service lands, including State, private, Tribal, and other Federal lands. Moving this line item back under 

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry would provide better coordination with cross-boundary, focused investments, 

such as the Community Wildfire Defense Grants and other authorities, to reduce wildfire risk. Additionally, the HF 

75Dillon, Gregory K; Gilbertson-Day, Julie W. 2020. Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States (270-m), 

version 2020. 3rd Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS2015-0047-3 
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program supports research, smoke ready communities and monitoring, works closely with the prevention and 

education programs, equipment management program, and various Tribes, States, local fire departments, and private 

landowners to support a comprehensive, all-lands approach to fire management.

Goal: Support a comprehensive, all lands approach to fire management by moving the Hazardous Fuels program 

funding to the Wildland Fire Management account. 

It is crucial that the Forest Service support the strategy to increase pace and scale of treatments as outlined in the 

Confronting the Wildfire Crisis Strategy and the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. Moving 

the HF program funding to the WFM account supports the comprehensive approach to fire management and more 

closely aligns the work, workforce, and funding that is responsible for fire management and HF treatments across 

the Agency. 

Anticipated IT Impacts: None

Legislative Language Requested: 

WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

***

Provided further, That of the funds provided under this heading, $207 million shall be for hazardous fuels reduction 

management activities...
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ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

Appropriations to the Forest Service for the current fiscal year shall be available for: (1) purchase of passenger 

motor vehicles; acquisition of passenger motor vehicles from excess sources, and hire of such vehicles; purchase, 

lease, operation, maintenance, and acquisition of aircraft to maintain the operable fleet for use in Forest Service 

wildland fire programs and other Forest Service programs; notwithstanding other provisions of law, existing aircraft 

being replaced may be sold, with proceeds derived or trade-in value used to offset the purchase price for the 

replacement aircraft; (2) services pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2225, and not to exceed $100,000 for employment under 5 

U.S.C. 3109; (3) purchase, erection, and alteration of buildings and other public improvements (7 U.S.C. 2250); (4) 

acquisition of land, waters, and interests therein pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 428a; (5) for expenses pursuant to the 

Volunteers in the National Forest Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 558a, 558d, and 558a note); (6) the cost of uniforms as 

authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901–5902; and (7) for debt collection contracts in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3718(c). 

Funds made available to the Forest Service in this Act may be transferred between accounts affected by the Forest 

Service budget restructure outlined in section 435 of division D of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 

2020 (Public Law 116–94): Provided, That any transfer of funds pursuant to this paragraph shall not increase or 

decrease the funds appropriated to any account in this fiscal year by more than ten percent: Provided further, That 

such transfer authority is in addition to any other transfer authority provided by law. 

Any appropriations or funds available to the Forest Service may be transferred to the Wildland Fire Management 

appropriation for forest firefighting, emergency rehabilitation of burned-over or damaged lands or waters under its 

jurisdiction, and fire preparedness due to severe burning conditions upon the Secretary of Agriculture's notification 

of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations that all fire suppression funds appropriated under the 

heading "Wildland Fire Management" will be obligated within 30 days: Provided, That all funds used pursuant to 

this paragraph must be replenished by a supplemental appropriation which must be requested as promptly as 

possible.

Not more than $50,000,000 of funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available for expenditure or transfer 

to the Department of the Interior for wildland fire management, hazardous fuels management, and State fire 

assistance when such transfers would facilitate and expedite wildland fire management programs and projects.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Forest Service may transfer unobligated balances of 

discretionary funds appropriated to the Forest Service by this Act to or within the [National Forest System] Wildland 

Fire Management Account, or reprogram funds to be used for the purposes of hazardous fuels management and 

urgent rehabilitation of burned-over National Forest System lands and water: Provided, That such transferred funds 

shall remain available through September 30, [2026] 2027: Provided further, That none of the funds transferred

pursuant to this paragraph shall be available for obligation without written notification to and the prior approval of 

the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available for assistance to or through the Agency for International 

Development in connection with forest and rangeland research, technical information, and assistance in foreign 

countries, and shall be available to support forestry and related natural resource activities outside the United States 

and its territories and possessions, including technical assistance, education and training, and cooperation with 

United States government, private sector, and international organizations: Provided, That the Forest Service, acting 

for the International Program, may sign direct funding agreements with foreign governments and institutions as well 

as other domestic agencies (including the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of State, and 

the Millennium Challenge Corporation), United States private sector firms, institutions and organizations to provide 

technical assistance and training programs on forestry and rangeland management: Provided further, That to 

maximize effectiveness of domestic and international research and cooperation, the International Program may 

utilize all authorities related to forestry, research, and cooperative assistance regardless of program designations.

Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Section 

509(a)(3) Supporting Organization, "Forest Service International Foundation" to assist the Foundation in meeting 

administrative, project, and other expenses, and may provide for the Foundation's use of Forest Service personnel 

and facilities.

Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available for expenditure or transfer to the Department of the 

Interior, Bureau of Land Management, for removal, preparation, and adoption of excess wild horses and burros from 
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National Forest System lands, and for the performance of cadastral surveys to designate the boundaries of such 

lands.

None of the funds made available to the Forest Service in this Act or any other Act with respect to any fiscal year 

shall be subject to transfer under the provisions of section 702(b) of the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 

1944 (7 U.S.C. 2257), section 442 of Public Law 106–224 (7 U.S.C. 7772), or section 10417(b) of Public Law 107–

171 (7 U.S.C. 8316(b)).

Not more than $82,000,000 of funds available to the Forest Service shall be transferred to the Working Capital Fund 

of the Department of Agriculture and not more than $14,500,000 of funds available to the Forest Service shall be 

transferred to the Department of Agriculture for Department Reimbursable Programs, commonly referred to as 

Greenbook charges: Provided, That nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit or limit the use of reimbursable 

agreements requested by the Forest Service in order to obtain information technology services, including 

telecommunications and system modifications or enhancements, from the Working Capital Fund of the Department 

of Agriculture.

Of the funds available to the Forest Service, up to $5,000,000 shall be available for priority projects within the scope 

of the approved budget, which shall be carried out by the Youth Conservation Corps and shall be carried out under 

the authority of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.).

Of the funds available to the Forest Service, $4,000 is available to the Chief of the Forest Service for official 

reception and representation expenses.

Pursuant to sections 405(b) and 410(b) of Public Law 101–593, of the funds available to the Forest Service, up to 

$3,000,000 may be advanced in a lump sum to the National Forest Foundation to aid conservation partnership 

projects in support of the Forest Service mission, without regard to when the Foundation incurs expenses, for 

projects on or benefitting National Forest System lands or related to Forest Service programs: Provided, That of the 

Federal funds made available to the Foundation, no more than $300,000 shall be available for administrative 

expenses: Provided further, That the Foundation shall obtain, by the end of the period of Federal financial 

assistance, private contributions to match funds made available by the Forest Service on at least a one-for-one basis: 

Provided further, That the Foundation may transfer Federal funds to a Federal or a non-Federal recipient for a 

project at the same rate that the recipient has obtained the non-Federal matching funds.

Pursuant to section 2(b)(2) of Public Law 98–244, up to $3,000,000 of the funds available to the Forest Service may 

be advanced to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in a lump sum to aid cost-share conservation projects, 

without regard to when expenses are incurred, on or benefitting National Forest System lands or related to Forest 

Service programs: Provided, That such funds shall be matched on at least a one-for-one basis by the Foundation or 

its subrecipients: Provided further, That the Foundation may transfer Federal funds to a Federal or non-Federal 

recipient for a project at the same rate that the recipient has obtained the non-Federal matching funds.

Funds appropriated to the Forest Service [under the National Forest System heading] shall be available [for the 

Secretary of Agriculture] to enter into cooperative agreements with other Federal agencies, tribes, States, local 

governments, private and nonprofit entities, and educational institutions to support the work of forest or grassland 

collaboratives on activities benefitting Federal lands and adjacent non-Federal lands, including for technical 

assistance, administrative functions or costs, and other capacity support needs identified by the Forest Service.

Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available for interactions with and providing technical assistance to 

rural communities and natural resource-based businesses for sustainable rural development purposes.

Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available for payments to counties within the Columbia River 

Gorge National Scenic Area, pursuant to section 14(c)(1) and (2), and section 16(a)(2) of Public Law 99–663.

Any funds appropriated to the Forest Service may be used to meet the non-Federal share requirement in section 

502(c) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3056(c)(2)).

The Forest Service shall not assess funds for the purpose of performing fire, administrative, and other facilities 

maintenance and decommissioning.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of any appropriations or funds available to the Forest Service, not to 

exceed $500,000 may be used to reimburse the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Department of Agriculture, 
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for travel and related expenses incurred as a result of OGC assistance or participation requested by the Forest 

Service at meetings, training sessions, management reviews, land purchase negotiations, and similar matters 

unrelated to civil litigation: Provided, That future budget justifications for both the Forest Service and the 

Department of Agriculture should clearly display the sums previously transferred and the sums requested for

transfer.

An eligible individual who is employed in any project funded under title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 

U.S.C. 3056 et seq.) and administered by the Forest Service shall be considered to be a Federal employee for 

purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code.

Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available to pay, from a single account, the base salary and 

expenses of employees who carry out functions funded by other accounts for Enterprise Program, Geospatial 

Technology and Applications Center, remnant Natural Resource Manager, Job Corps, and National Technology and 

Development Program. (Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023.)

Change Description

The first change, fifth paragraph, adds transfer authority to the Wildland Fire Management account for the purpose 

of hazardous fuels management. 

The second change, fifth paragraph, amends time availability so it matches Forest Service appropriated funds 

availability.

The third and fourth changes, fifteenth paragraph, remove constraints of type of funds and who can enter 

agreements.
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GENERAL PROVISIONS 

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 

RESTRICTION ON USE OF FUNDS 

SEC. 401. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall be available for any activity or the publication or 

distribution of literature that in any way tends to promote public support or opposition to any legislative proposal on 

which Congressional action is not complete other than to communicate to Members of Congress as described in 18 

U.S.C. 1913. 

OBLIGATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 402. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the 

current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein. 

DISCLOSURE OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 

SEC. 403. The amount and basis of estimated overhead charges, deductions, reserves, or holdbacks, including 

working capital fund charges, from programs, projects, activities and subactivities to support government-wide, 

departmental, agency, or bureau administrative functions or headquarters, regional, or central operations shall be 

presented in annual budget justifications [and subject to approval] to by the Committees on Appropriations of the 

House of Representatives and the Senate. Changes to such estimates shall be presented to the Committees on 

Appropriations[ for approval]. 

MINING APPLICATIONS 

SEC. 404. (a) LIMITATION OF FUNDS.—None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to 

this Act shall be obligated or expended to accept or process applications for a patent for any mining or mill site 

claim located under the general mining laws.

(b) EXCEPTIONS.—Subsection (a) shall not apply if the Secretary of the Interior determines that, for the 

claim concerned: (1) a patent application was filed with the Secretary on or before September 30, 1994; and (2) all 

requirements established under sections 2325 and 2326 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 29 and 30) for vein or 

lode claims, sections 2329, 2330, 2331, and 2333 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 35, 36, and 37) for placer 

claims, and section 2337 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 42) for mill site claims, as the case may be, were fully 

complied with by the applicant by that date. 

(c) REPORT.—On September 30, [2024]2025, the Secretary of the Interior shall file with the House and 

Senate Committees on Appropriations and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House and the Committee on 

Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on actions taken by the Department under the plan submitted 

pursuant to section 314(c) of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public 

Law 104– 208). 

(d) MINERAL EXAMINATIONS.—In order to process patent applications in a timely and responsible 

manner, upon the request of a patent applicant, the Secretary of the Interior shall allow the applicant to fund a 

qualified third-party contractor to be selected by the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to conduct a 

mineral examination of the mining claims or mill sites contained in a patent application as set forth in subsection (b). 

The Bureau of Land Management shall have the sole responsibility to choose and pay the third-party contractor in 

accordance with the standard procedures employed by the Bureau of Land Management in the retention of thirdparty contractors. 

CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS, PRIOR YEAR LIMITATION 

SEC. 405. Sections 405 and 406 of division F of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 

(Public Law 113– 235) shall continue in effect in fiscal year [2023]2024. 

CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS, FISCAL YEAR [2023]2024 LIMITATION 

SEC. 406. Amounts provided by this Act for fiscal year [2023]2024 under the headings ‘‘Department of Health and 

Human Services, Indian Health Service, Contract Support Costs’’ and ‘‘Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian 

Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, Contract Support Costs’’ are the only amounts available for contract 
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support costs arising out of self-determination or self-governance contracts, grants, compacts, or annual funding 

agreements for fiscal year [2023]2024 with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and the Indian 

Health Service: Provided, That such amounts provided by this Act are not available for payment of claims for 

contract support costs for prior years, or for repayments of payments for settlements or judgments awarding contract 

support costs for prior years. 

FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANS 

SEC. 407. The Secretary of Agriculture shall not be considered to be in violation of section 6(f)(5)(A) of the Forest 

and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604(f)(5)(A)) solely because more than 15 

years have passed without revision of the plan for a unit of the National Forest System. Nothing in this section 

exempts the Secretary from any other requirement of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act 

(16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.) or any other law: Provided, That if the Secretary is not acting expeditiously and in good 

faith, within the funding available, to revise a plan for a unit of the National Forest System, this section shall be void 

with respect to such plan and a court of proper jurisdiction may order completion of the plan on an accelerated basis. 

PROHIBITION WITHIN NATIONAL MONUMENTS 

SEC. 408. No funds provided in this Act may be expended to conduct preleasing, leasing and related activities under 

either the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et 

seq.) within the boundaries of a National Monument established pursuant to the Act of June 8, 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431 

et seq.) as such boundary existed on January 20, 2001, except where such activities are allowed under the 

Presidential proclamation establishing such monument. 

LIMITATION ON TAKINGS 

SEC. 409. Unless otherwise provided herein, no funds appropriated in this Act for the acquisition of lands or 

interests in lands may be expended for the filing of declarations of taking or complaints in condemnation [without 

the approval of]notice to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations: Provided, That this provision shall 

not apply to funds appropriated to implement the Everglades National Park Protection and Expansion Act of 1989, 

or to funds appropriated for Federal assistance to the State of Florida to acquire lands for Everglades restoration 

purposes. 

PROHIBITION ON NO-BID CONTRACTS 

SEC. 410. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act to executive branch agencies may 

be used to enter into any Federal contract unless such contract is entered into in accordance with the requirements of 

Chapter 33 of title 41, United States Code, or Chapter 137 of title 10, United States Code, and the Federal 

Acquisition Regulation, unless— 

(1) Federal law specifically authorizes a contract to be entered into without regard for these requirements, 

including formula grants for States, or Federally recognized Indian tribes; 

(2) such contract is authorized by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 

93–638, 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) or by any other Federal laws that specifically authorize a contract within an 

Indian tribe as defined in section 4(e) of that Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(e)); or 

(3) such contract was awarded prior to the date of enactment of this Act.

POSTING OF REPORTS 

SEC. 411. (a) Any agency receiving funds made available in this Act, shall, subject to subsections (b) and (c), post 

on the public website of that agency any report required to be submitted by the Congress in this or any other Act, 

upon the determination by the head of the agency that it shall serve the national interest. 

(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a report if— 

(1) the public posting of the report compromises national security; or 

(2) the report contains proprietary information. 

(c) The head of the agency posting such report shall do so only after such report has been made available to the 

requesting Committee or Committees of Congress for no less than 45 days. 
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NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS GRANT GUIDELINES 

SEC. 412. Of the funds provided to the National Endowment for the Arts— 

(1) The Chairperson shall only award a grant to an individual if such grant is awarded to such individual for 

a literature fellowship, National Heritage Fellowship, or American Jazz Masters Fellowship. 

(2) The Chairperson shall establish procedures to ensure that no funding provided through a grant, except a 

grant made to a State or local arts agency, or regional group, may be used to make a grant to any other organization 

or individual to conduct activity independent of the direct grant recipient. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit 

payments made in exchange for goods and services. 

(3) No grant shall be used for seasonal support to a group, unless the application is specific to the contents 

of the season, including identified programs or projects. 

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS PROGRAM PRIORITIES 

SEC. 413. (a) In providing services or awarding financial assistance under the National Foundation on the Arts and 

the Humanities Act of 1965 from funds appropriated under this Act, the Chairperson of the National Endowment for 

the Arts shall ensure that priority is given to providing services or awarding financial assistance for projects, 

productions, workshops, or programs that serve underserved populations. 

(b) In this section: 

(1) The term ‘‘underserved population’’ means a population of individuals, including urban 

minorities, who have historically been outside the purview of arts and humanities programs due to factors 

such as a high incidence of income below the poverty line or to geographic isolation. 

(2) The term ‘‘poverty line’’ means the poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and 

Budget, and revised annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant 

Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2))) applicable to a family of the size involved. 

(c) In providing services and awarding financial assistance under the National Foundation on the Arts and 

Humanities Act of 1965 with funds appropriated by this Act, the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the 

Arts shall ensure that priority is given to providing services or awarding financial assistance for projects, 

productions, workshops, or programs that will encourage public knowledge, education, understanding, and 

appreciation of the arts. 

(d) With funds appropriated by this Act to carry out section 5 of the National Foundation on the Arts and 

Humanities Act of 1965— 

(1) the Chairperson shall establish a grant category for projects, productions, workshops, or 

programs that are of national impact or availability or are able to tour several States; 

(2) the Chairperson shall not make grants exceeding 15 percent, in the aggregate, of such funds to 

any single State, excluding grants made under the authority of paragraph (1); 

(3) the Chairperson shall report to the Congress annually and by State, on grants awarded by the 

Chairperson in each grant category under section 5 of such Act; and 

(4) the Chairperson shall encourage the use of grants to improve and support community-based 

music performance and education. 

STATUS OF BALANCES OF APPROPRIATIONS 

SEC. 414. The Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, and the Indian 

Health Service shall provide the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate 

quarterly reports on the status of balances of appropriations including all uncommitted, committed, and unobligated 

funds in each program and activity within 60 days of enactment of this Act. 

EXTENSION OF GRAZING PERMITS 
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SEC. 415. The terms and conditions of section 325 of Public Law 108–108 (117 Stat. 1307), regarding grazing 

permits issued by the Forest Service on any lands not subject to administration under section 402 of the Federal 

Lands Policy and Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1752), shall remain in effect for fiscal year [2023]2024. 

FUNDING PROHIBITION 

SEC. 416. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to maintain or establish a computer network 

unless such network is designed to block access to pornography websites. 

(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law 

enforcement agency or any other entity carrying out criminal investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities. 

HUMANE TRANSFER AND TREATMENT OF ANIMALS 

SEC. 417. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to land 

administered by the Bureau of Land Management, or the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to land administered 

by the Forest Service (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary concerned’’), may transfer excess wild horses and 

burros that have been removed from land administered by the Secretary concerned to other Federal, State, and local 

government agencies for use as work animals. 

(b) The Secretary concerned may make a transfer under subsection (a) immediately on the request of a 

Federal, State, or local government agency. 

(c) An excess wild horse or burro transferred under subsection (a) shall lose status as a wild free-roaming 

horse or burro (as defined in section 2 of Public Law 92–195 (commonly known as the ‘‘Wild Free-Roaming Horses 

and Burros Act’’) (16 U.S.C. 1332)). 

(d) A Federal, State, or local government agency receiving an excess wild horse or burro pursuant to 

subsection (a) shall not— 

(1) destroy the horse or burro in a manner that results in the destruction of the horse or burro into a 

commercial product; 

(2) sell or otherwise transfer the horse or burro in a manner that results in the destruction of the 

horse or burro for processing into a commercial product; or 

(3) euthanize the horse or burro, except on the recommendation of a licensed veterinarian in a case 

of severe injury, illness, or advanced age. 

(e) Amounts appropriated by this Act shall not be available for— 

(1) the destruction of any healthy, unadopted, and wild horse or burro under the jurisdiction of the 

Secretary concerned (including a contractor); or 

(2) the sale of a wild horse or burro that results in the destruction of the wild horse or burro for 

processing into a commercial product. 

FOREST SERVICE FACILITY REALIGNMENT AND ENHANCEMENT AUTHORIZATION 

EXTENSION 

SEC. 418. Section 503(f) of Public Law 109–54 (16 U.S.C. 580d note) shall be applied by substituting ‘‘September 

30, [2023]2024’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2019’’. 

[USE OF AMERICAN IRON AND STEEL] 

[SEC. 419. (a)(1) None of the funds made available by a State water pollution control revolving fund as authorized 

by section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12) shall be used for a project for the construction, 

alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public water system or treatment works unless all of the iron and steel 

products used in the project are produced in the United States. 

(2) In this section, the term ‘‘iron and steel’’ products means the following products made primarily of iron 

or steel: lined or unlined pipes and fittings, manhole covers and other municipal castings, hydrants, tanks, flanges, 

pipe clamps and restraints, valves, structural steel, reinforced precast concrete, and construction materials. 
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(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply in any case or category of cases in which the Administrator of the Environmental 

Protection Agency (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Administrator’’) finds that— 

(1) applying subsection (a) would be inconsistent with the public interest; 

(2) iron and steel products are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available 

quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or 

(3) inclusion of iron and steel products produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall 

project by more than 25 percent. 

(c) If the Administrator receives a request for a waiver under this section, the Administrator shall make available to 

the public on an informal basis a copy of the request and information available to the Administrator concerning the 

request, and shall allow for informal public input on the request for at least 15 days prior to making a finding based 

on the request. The Administrator shall make the request and accompanying information available by electronic 

means, including on the official public Internet Web site of the Environmental Protection Agency. 

(d) This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under international 

agreements. 

(e) The Administrator may retain up to 0.25 percent of the funds appropriated in this Act for the Clean and Drinking 

Water State Revolving Funds for carrying out the provisions described in subsection (a)(1) for management and 

oversight of the requirements of this section.] 

LOCAL COOPERATOR TRAINING AGREEMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF EXCESS EQUIPMENT 

AND SUPPLIES FOR WILDFIRES 

SEC. [420]419. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to enter into grants and cooperative agreements with 

volunteer fire departments, rural fire departments, rangeland fire protection associations, and similar organizations 

to provide for wildland fire training and equipment, including supplies and communication devices. Notwithstanding 

section 121(c) of title 40, United States Code, or section 521 of title 40, United States Code, the Secretary is further 

authorized to transfer title to excess Department of the Interior firefighting equipment no longer needed to carry out 

the functions of the Department’s wildland fire management program to such organizations. 

RECREATION FEES 

SEC. [421]420. Section 810 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6809) shall be applied by 

substituting ‘‘October 1, [2024]2025’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2019’’.

[REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES] 

[SEC. 422. None of the funds made available in this Act, in this and prior fiscal years, may be reprogrammed 

without the advance approval of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations in accordance with the 

reprogramming procedures contained in the explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the matter preceding 

division A of this consolidated Act).] 

LOCAL CONTRACTORS 

SEC. [423]421. Section 412 of division E of Public Law 112–74 shall be applied by substituting ‘‘fiscal year 

[2023]2024’’ for ‘‘fiscal year 2019’’.

SHASTA-TRINITY MARINA FEE AUTHORITY AUTHORIZATION EXTENSION 

SEC. [424]422. Section 422 of division F of Public Law 110–161 (121 Stat 1844), as amended, shall be applied by 

substituting ‘‘fiscal year [2023]2024’’ for ‘‘fiscal year 2019’’. 

INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION AUTHORIZATION EXTENSION 

SEC. [425]423. Section 426 of division G of Public Law 113–76 (16 U.S.C. 565a–1 note) shall be applied by 

substituting ‘‘September 30, [2023]2024’’ for ‘‘September 30, 2019’’. 

PUERTO RICO SCHOOLING AUTHORIZATION EXTENSION 
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SEC. [426]424. The authority provided by the 19th unnumbered paragraph under heading ‘‘Administrative 

Provisions, Forest Service’’ in title III of Public Law 109–54, as amended, shall be applied by substituting ‘‘fiscal 

year [2023]2024’’ for ‘‘fiscal year 2019’’. 

FOREST BOTANICAL PRODUCTS FEE COLLECTION AUTHORIZATION EXTENSION 

SEC. [427]425. Section 339 of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 (as 

enacted into law by Public Law 106–113; 16 U.S.C. 528 note), as amended by section 335(6) of Public Law 108–

108 and section 432 of Public Law 113– 76, shall be applied by substituting ‘‘fiscal year [2023]2024’’ for ‘‘fiscal 

year 2019’’. 

GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY

SEC. 426. Section 8206(b)(2)(6) of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113–79 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2)(C)), as 

amended by Section 8624 of the Agricultural Improve- ment Act of 2018, Public Law 115–334, is further amended 

by striking October 1, 2023 and inserting October 1, 2024.

CHACO CANYON 

SEC. [428]427. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to accept a nomination for oil and gas 

leasing under 43 CFR 3120.3 et seq., or to offer for oil and gas leasing, any Federal lands within the withdrawal area 

identified on the map of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park prepared by the Bureau of Land Management 

and dated April 2, 2019[, prior to the completion of the cultural resources investigation identified in the explanatory 

statement described in section 4 in the matter preceding division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 

(Public Law 116–260)]. 

TRIBAL LEASES 

SEC. [429]428. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of any lease under section 105(l) of the 

Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5324(l)), the initial lease term shall commence 

no earlier than the date of receipt of the lease proposal. 

(b) The Secretaries of the Interior and Health and Human Services shall, jointly or separately, during fiscal year 

[2023]2024 consult with tribes and tribal organizations through public solicitation and other means regarding the 

requirements for leases under section 105(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 

U.S.C. 5324(l)) on how to implement a consistent and transparent process for the payment of such leases. 

FOREST ECOSYSTEM HEALTH AND RECOVERY FUND 

SEC. [430]429. The authority provided under the heading ‘‘Forest Ecosystem Health and Recovery Fund’’ in title I 

of Public Law 111–88, as amended by section 117 of division F of Public Law 113–235, shall be applied by 

substituting ‘‘fiscal year [2023]2024’’ for ‘‘fiscal year 2020’’ each place it appears. 

ALLOCATION OF PROJECTS, NATIONAL PARKS AND PUBLIC LAND LEGACY RESTORATION 

FUND AND LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

SEC. [431]430. (a)

(1) Within 45 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall allocate amounts made 

available from the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund for fiscal year [2023]2024 pursuant to 

subsection (c) of section 200402 of title 54, United States Code, and as provided in subsection (e) of such section of 

such title, to the agencies of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture specified, in the 

amounts specified, for the stations and unit names specified, and for the projects and activities specified in the table 

titled ‘‘Allocation of Funds: National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund Fiscal Year [2023]2024’’ in 

the explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act). 

(2) Within 45 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, 

as appropriate, shall allocate amounts made available for expenditure from the Land and Water Conservation Fund 

for fiscal year [2023]2024 pursuant to subsection (a) of section 200303 of title 54, United States Code, to the 

agencies and accounts specified, in the amounts specified, and for the projects and activities specified in the table 

titled ‘‘Allocation of Funds: Land and Water Conservation Fund Fiscal Year [2023]2024’’ in the explanatory 

statement described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act). 
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(b) Except as otherwise provided by subsection (c) of this section, neither the President nor his designee may 

allocate any amounts that are made available for any fiscal year under subsection (c) of section 200402 of title 54, 

United States Code, or subsection (a) of section 200303 of title 54, United States Code, other than in amounts and 

for projects and activities that are allocated by subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section: Provided, That in any 

fiscal year, the matter preceding this proviso shall not apply to the allocation of amounts for continuing 

administration of programs allocated funds from the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund or the 

Land and Water Conservation Fund, which may be allocated only in amounts that are no more than the allocation 

for such purposes in subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section. 

(c) The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture may reallocate amounts from each agency’s 

‘‘Contingency Fund’’ line in the table titled ‘‘Allocation of Funds: National Parks and Public Land Legacy 

Restoration Fund Fiscal Year [2023]2024’’ to any project funded by the National Parks and Public Land Legacy 

Restoration Fund within the same agency, from any fiscal year, that experienced a funding deficiency due to 

unforeseen cost overruns, in accordance with the following requirements: 

(1) ‘‘Contingency Fund’’ amounts may only be reallocated if there is a risk to project completion resulting 

from unforeseen cost overruns; 

(2) ‘‘Contingency Fund’’ amounts may only be reallocated for cost of adjustments and changes within the 

original scope of effort for projects funded by the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund; and 

(3) The Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture must provide written notification to the 

Committees on Appropriations 30 days before taking any actions authorized by this subsection if the amount 

reallocated from the ‘‘Contingency Fund’’ line for a project is projected to be 10 percent or greater than the 

following, as applicable: 

(A) The amount allocated to that project in the table titled ‘‘Allocation of Funds: National Parks 

and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund Fiscal Year [2023]2024’’ in the explanatory statement described 

in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act); or 

(B) The initial estimate in the most recent report submitted, prior to enactment of this Act, to the 

Committees on Appropriations pursuant to section 431(e) of division G of the Consolidated Appropriations 

Act, [2022]2023 (Public Law [117–103]117–328). 

(d)

(1) Concurrent with the annual budget submission of the President for fiscal year [2024]2025, the Secretary 

of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House 

of Representatives and the Senate project data sheets for the projects in the ‘‘Submission of Annual List of Projects 

to Congress’’ required by section 200402(h) of title 54, United States Code: Provided, That the ‘‘Submission of 

Annual List of Projects to Congress’’ must include a ‘‘Contingency Fund’’ line for each agency within the 

allocations defined in subsection (e) of section 200402 of title 54, United States Code: Provided further, That in the 

event amounts allocated by this Act or any prior Act for the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration 

Fund are no longer needed to complete a specified project, such amounts may be reallocated in such submission to 

that agency’s ‘‘Contingency Fund’’ line: Provided further, That any proposals to change the scope of or terminate a 

previously approved project must be clearly identified in such submission. 

(2)

(A) Concurrent with the annual budget submission of the President for fiscal year [2024]2025, the 

Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each submit to the Committees on 

Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a list of supplementary allocations for 

Federal land acquisition and Forest Legacy Projects at the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service that are in addition to the 

‘‘Submission of Cost Estimates’’ required by section 200303(c)(1) of title 54, United States Code, that are 

prioritized and detailed by account, program, and project, and that total no less than half the full amount 

allocated to each account for that land management Agency under the allocations submitted under section 

200303(c)(1) of title 54, United States Code: Provided, That in the event amounts allocated by this Act or 

any prior Act pursuant to subsection (a) of section 200303 of title 54, United States Code are no longer 

needed because a project has been completed or can no longer be executed, such amounts must be clearly 

identified if proposed for reallocation in the annual budget submission. 
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(B) The Federal land acquisition and Forest Legacy projects in the ‘‘Submission of Cost 

Estimates’’ required by section 200303(c)(1) of title 54, United States Code, and on the list of 

supplementary allocations required by subparagraph (A) shall be comprised only of projects for which a 

willing seller has been identified and for which an appraisal or market research has been initiated. 

(C) Concurrent with the annual budget submission of the President for fiscal year [2024]2025, the 

Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each submit to the Committees on 

Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate project data sheets in the same format and 

containing the same level of detailed information that is found on such sheets in the Budget Justifications 

annually submitted by the Department of the Interior with the President’s Budget for the projects in the 

‘‘Submission of Cost Estimates’’ required by section 200303(c)(1) of title 54, United States Code, and in 

the same format and containing the same level of detailed information that is found on such sheets 

submitted to the Committees pursuant to section 427 of division D of the Further Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116–94) for the list of supplementary allocations required by 

subparagraph (A). 

(e) The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture shall provide the Committees on 

Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate quarterly reports on the status of balances of projects and 

activities funded by the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund for amounts allocated pursuant to 

subsection (a)(1) of this section and the status of balances of projects and activities funded by the Land and Water 

Conservation Fund for amounts allocated pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section, including all uncommitted, 

committed, and unobligated funds, and, for amounts allocated pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section, National 

Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund amounts reallocated pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.

POLICIES RELATING TO BIOMASS ENERGY 

SEC. [432]431. To support the key role that forests in the United States can play in addressing the energy needs of 

the United States, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Administrator of the Environmental 

Protection Agency shall, consistent with their missions, jointly— 

(1) ensure that Federal policy relating to forest bioenergy— 

(A) is consistent across all Federal departments and agencies; and 

(B) recognizes the full benefits of the use of forest biomass for energy, conservation, and 

responsible forest management; and 

(2) establish clear and simple policies for the use of forest biomass as an energy solution, including policies 

that— 

(A) reflect the carbon neutrality of forest bioenergy and recognize biomass as a renewable energy 

source, provided the use of forest biomass for energy production does not cause conversion of forests to 

non-forest use; 

(B) encourage private investment throughout the forest biomass supply chain, including in— 

(i) working forests; 

(ii) harvesting operations; 

(iii) forest improvement operations; 

(iv) forest bioenergy production; 

(v) wood products manufacturing; or 

(vi) paper manufacturing; 

(C) encourage forest management to improve forest health; and 

(D) recognize State initiatives to produce and use forest biomass. 

SMALL REMOTE INCINERATORS 
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SEC. [433]432. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to implement or enforce the regulation 

issued on March 21, 2011 at 40 CFR part 60 subparts CCCC and DDDD with respect to units in the State of Alaska 

that are defined as ‘‘small, remote incinerator’’ units in those regulations and, until a subsequent regulation is 

issued, the Administrator shall implement the law and regulations in effect prior to such date. 

TIMBER SALE REQUIREMENTS 

SEC. [434]433. No timber sale in Alaska’s Region 10 shall be advertised if the indicated rate is deficit (defined as 

the value of the timber is not sufficient to cover all logging and stumpage costs and provide a normal profit and risk 

allowance under the Forest Service’s appraisal process) when appraised using a residual value appraisal. The 

western red cedar timber from those sales which is surplus to the needs of the domestic processors in Alaska, shall 

be made available to domestic processors in the contiguous 48 United States at prevailing domestic prices. All 

additional western red cedar volume not sold to Alaska or contiguous 48 United States domestic processors may be 

exported to foreign markets at the election of the timber sale holder. All Alaska yellow cedar may be sold at 

prevailing export prices at the election of the timber sale holder. 

TRANSFER AUTHORITY TO FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION FOR THE NATIONAL 

PARKS AND PUBLIC LAND LEGACY RESTORATION FUND 

SEC. [435]434. Funds made available or allocated in this Act to the Department of the Interior or the Department of 

Agriculture that are subject to the allocations and limitations in 54 U.S.C. 200402(e) and prohibitions in 54 U.S.C. 

200402(f) may be further allocated or reallocated to the Federal Highway Administration for transportation projects 

of the covered agencies defined in 54 U.S.C. 200401(2). 

PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS 

SEC. [436]435. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds made available in this Act or any 

other Act may be used to promulgate or implement any regulation requiring the issuance of permits under title V of 

the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7661 et seq.) for carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor, or methane emissions 

resulting from biological processes associated with livestock production. 

GREENHOUSE GAS REPORTING RESTRICTIONS 

SEC. [437]436. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds made available in this or any other 

Act may be used to implement any provision in a rule, if that provision requires mandatory reporting of greenhouse 

gas emissions from manure management systems. 

FUNDING PROHIBITION 

SEC. [438]437. None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be used to regulate the lead content 

of ammunition, ammunition components, or fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 

et seq.) or any other law. 

[ROAD CONSTRUCTION] 

[SEC. 439. Section 8206(a)(4)(B)(i) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)(4)(B)(i)) is amended by 

inserting ‘‘or Bureau of Land Management managed’’ after ‘‘National Forest System’’. ]

[FIREFIGHTER PAY CAP]

[SEC. 440. Section 1701 of division B of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance 

Act (5 U.S.C. 5547 note), as amended by Public Law 117–103, is further amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking the last sentence and inserting ‘‘Any Services during a given calendar 

year that generate payments payable in the subsequent calendar year shall be disregarded in applying this 

subsection’’; and 

(2) in subsections (a), (b), and (c) by inserting ‘‘or 2023’’ after ‘‘or 2022’’ each place it appears.]

FOREST SERVICE INTEREST BEARING ACCOUNT 

SEC. [441]438. (a) INVESTMENT AUTHORITY.—Any monies covered into the Treasury under section 7 of the 

Act of June 20, 1958 (Public Law 85–464; 16 U.S.C. 579c), including all monies that were previously collected by 
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the United States in a forfeiture, judgment, compromise, or settlement, shall be invested by the Secretary of the 

Treasury in interest bearing obligations of the United States to the extent the amounts are not, in the judgment of the 

Secretary of the Treasury, required to meet current withdrawals. 

(b) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Any interest earned under subsection (a) shall be available in the same 

manner as the monies covered into the Treasury under section 7 of the Act of June 20, 1958 (Public Law 85–464; 16 

U.S.C. 579c) to cover the costs to the United States specified in section 7 of that Act. 

(c) USE OF FUNDS.—Any portion of the monies received or earned under subsection (a) in excess of the 

amount expended in performing the work necessitated by the action which led to their receipt may be used to cover 

the other work specified in section 7 of the Act of June 20, 1958 (Public Law 85–464; 16 U.S.C. 579c). 

(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year [2023]2024 and each 

succeeding fiscal year. 

[TECHNICAL CORRECTION] 

[SEC. 442. In the table entitled ‘‘Interior and Environment Incorporation of Community Project Funding 

Items/Congressionally Directed Spending Items’’ in the explanatory statement described in section 4 in the matter 

preceding division A of Public Law 117–103 and in the table under the heading ‘‘Disclosure of Earmarks and 

Congressionally Directed Spending Items’’ in such explanatory statement, the project relating to ‘‘City of 

Metlakatla for Solid Waste Multi Use Portable Shredder’’ is deemed to be amended by striking ‘‘City of Metlakatla 

for Solid Waste Multi Use Portable Shredder’’ and inserting ‘‘Metlakatla Indian Community for Solid Waste Multi 

Use Portable Shredder’’.] 

[HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND]

[SEC. 443. (a) Section 613 of title VI of division J of Public Law 117–58 is repealed.

(b) For this fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, such sums as are available in the Hazardous 

Substance Superfund established under section 9507 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 at the end of the 

preceding fiscal year from taxes received in the Treasury under subsection (b)(1) of such section shall be available, 

without further appropriation, to remain available until expended, to be used to carry out the Comprehensive 

Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.): Provided, That the 

amount provided by this subsection is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant 

to section 4001(a)(1) of S. Con. Res. 14 (117th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 

[2022]2023, and section 1(e) of H. Res. 1151 (117th Congress), as engrossed in the House of Representatives on 

June 8, 2022. 

(c) Expenditures made pursuant to section 613 of title VI of division J of Public Law 117–58 shall be 

charged to the appropriation in subsection (b).]

[GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA]

[SEC. 444. Section 3 of Public Law 92–592 (16 U.S.C. 460cc– 2) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 ‘‘(j) AUTHORITY TO GRANT EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY PERMIT.— 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior may grant, to any State or local government, an 

easement or right-of way permit over Federal lands within Golden Gate National Recreation Area for operation and 

maintenance of projects for control and prevention of flooding and shoreline erosion and associated structures for 

continued public access. 

‘‘(2) CHARGES AND REIMBURSEMENTS OF COSTS.—The Secretary may grant such an easement or 

right-of-way permit without charge for the value of the use so conveyed, except for reimbursement of costs incurred 

by the United States for processing the application therefore and managing such use. Amounts received as such 

reimbursement shall be credited to the relevant appropriation account.’’]

TIMBER EXPORT 

SEC. 439. The Secretary of Agriculture shall not be required to issue regulations under section 495 of the Forest 

Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 620f) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 

2024. 
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ALASKA NATIVE REGIONAL HEALTH ENTITIES AUTHORIZATION EXTENSION

SEC. [445]440. Section 424(a) of title IV of division G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 

113–76) shall be applied by substituting ‘‘October 1, 2023’’ for ‘‘December 24, 2022’’.

WILDFIRE FUNDING AND FOREST MANAGEMENT ACT 

SEC. 441. Section 104 of division O of the Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities Act 

(43 USC 1701 note), as amended by Public Law 115 -141, is further amended – 

(1) Notwithstanding 43 USC 1748a–2, in subsection (a) the annual report required by that section shall be 

submitted within 180 days after the end of the fiscal year for which additional new budget authority is used 

and shall include, 

(2) in addition to the components required in subsection (b) (4), an accounting of all spending in the first two 

quarters of the succeeding fiscal year that is attributable to suppression operations in the report year.

Change Description 

The first and second changes (Sec. 403) remove the requirement for Appropriation Committee approval. 

The third change (Sec. 404.c.) extend report requirement through September 30, 2025.

The fourth change (Sec. 405) extend effects of Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 

(Public Law 113–235).

The fifth and sixth changes (Sec. 406) adjust fiscal year to fiscal year 2024.

The seventh change (Sec. 409) changes approval to providing notice.

The eighth change (Sec. 415) extends grazing permit authority (P.L.108–108 (117 Stat. 1307)) through fiscal year 

2024.

The ninth change (Sec. 418) extends authority for the Forest Service Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act 

(P.L.109–54 (16 U.S.C. 580d note)) to 2024.

The tenth change (Sec. 419) removes references to Use of American Iron and Steel general provision. 

The eleventh change (Sec. 419) updates the section number.

The twelfth change (Sec. 420) updates the section number.

The thirteenth change (Sec. 420) replaces September 30, 2019 dates in Section 810 of the Federal Lands Recreation 

Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6809) with October 1, 2025.

The fourteenth change (Sec. 422) removes references to Reprogramming Guidelines general provision.

The fifteenth change (Sec. 421) updates the section number.

The sixteenth change (Sec. 421) amends the fiscal year to fiscal year 2024.

The seventeenth change (Sec. 422) updates the section number.

The eighteenth change (Sec. 422) extends the Shasta-Trinity authority (P.L. 110-161(121 Stat. 1844), as amended) 

to 2024.

The nineteenth change (Sec. 423) updates the section number.

The twentieth change (Sec. 423) extends the Interpretive Association Authority (P.L.113-76 (16 U.S.C. 565a-1 

note)) to 2024.

The twenty-first change (Sec. 424) updates the section number.

The twenty-second change (Sec. 424) extends the Puerto Rico Schools authority (P.L.109-54, as amended) to 2024.

The twenty-third change (Sec. 425) updates the section number.

The twenty-fourth change (Sec. 425) extends the Forest Botanical Products authority (P.L. 106–113; 16 U.S.C. 528 

note, as amended) to 2024. 

The twenty-fifth change (Sec. 426) adds Good Neighbor Authority.

The twenty-sixth change (Sec. 427) updates the section number.

The twenty-seventh change (Sec. 427) removes investigation identified in the explanatory statement of the 

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116–260) from Chaco Canyon.

The twenty-eighth change (Sec. 428) updates the section number.

The twenty-ninth change (Sec. 428) extends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 

5324(l)) to 2024.

The thirtieth change (Sec. 429) updates the section number.

The thirty-first change (Sec. 429) extends the Forest Ecosystem Health and Recovery Fund (P.L. 111-88, as 

amended) to 2024.

The thirty-second change (Sec. 430) updates the section number.

The thirty-third through thirty-eighth changes (Sec. 430) update the fiscal year to fiscal year 2024.
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The thirty-ninth and fortieth changes (Sec. 430) amend the reference to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 

(Public Law 117 – 328).

The forty-first through forty-third changes (Sec. 430) amend the reference to the fiscal year 2025 budget submission.

The forty-fourth change (Sec. 431) updates the section number.

The forty-fifth change (Sec. 432) updates the section number.

The forty-sixth change (Sec. 433) updates the section number.

The forty-seventh change (Sec. 434) updates the section number.

The forty-eighth change (Sec. 435) updates the section number.

The forty-ninth change (Sec. 436) updates the section number.

The fiftieth change (Sec. 437) updates the section number.

The fifty-first change (Sec. 439) removes Bureau of Land Management road construction insertions.

The fifty-second change (Sec. 440) removes amendment of Section 1701 of division B of the Extending 

Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (5 U.S.C. 5547 note, as amended).

The fifty-third change (Sec. 438) updates the section number.

The fifty-fourth change (Sec. 438) extends interest bearing accounts to 2024.

The fifty-fifth change (Sec. 442) removes a technical correction.

The fifty-sixth change (Sec. 443) removes Hazardous Substance Superfund.

The fifty-seventh change (Sec. 444) removes amendment to Public Law 92–592 (16 U.S.C. 460cc–2).

The fifty-eighth change (Sec. 439) provides legislative relief from the Forest Resources Conservation and Shortage 

Relief Act of 1997.

The fifty-ninth change (Sec. 440) updates the section number.

The sixtieth change (Sec. 441) amends the Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities Act.
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AGENCY-WIDE PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the Summary of Performance and Evaluation section is to provide an update on Performance and 

Evidence and Evaluation efforts, facilitating compliance with the Government Performance Results Modernization 

Act (GPRMA) and the Evidence Act of 2018, as well as departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPI). 

Specifically, the Office of Budget and Program Analysis (OBPA) leads the Department in Performance, Evaluation,

Evidence, and Risk Management and chairs the Performance, Evaluation, Evidence Committee (PEEC) and the 

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) committees. The Forest Service is a member of both the PEEC and ERM 

committees which are comprised of individuals from different Mission Areas and backgrounds throughout USDA, 

as well as key evaluation partners, the USDA Chief Data Officer and Statistical Officer. These different perspectives 

and expertise facilitate buy-in across the Department, augment technical expertise, and create a greater diversity of 

perspectives. Partnership with the Chief Data Officer and Statistical Officer provide greater insight and advisement 

on data access, data quality and statistical methods.

The Forest Service was established February 1, 1905, within the Department of Agriculture. The agency has a 

unique mission to sustain healthy, diverse, and productive forests and grasslands for present and future generations. 

The Forest Service is composed of the following major program areas: Business Operations, National Forest 

Systems, State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, which includes wildfire management, Research and Development, and 

International Programs. Within the Forest Service, the Office of Strategic Planning, Budget, and Accountability 

spearheads its efforts in Strategic Planning, Performance and Evidence and Evaluation. The Office of the Chief 

Financial Officer leads Enterprise Risk Management. These offices work directly with OBPA and senior leadership 

and actively engage with both internal and external stakeholders.

ALIGNMENT TO USDA 2022 – 2026 STRATEGIC PLAN

The Forest Service contributes to Goals 1, 3, and 5 of the Department’s Strategic Goals in the current 2022 – 2026 

USDA Strategic Plan through fact-based, data-driven, and customer-focused decisions. Departmental KPIs are 

performance metrics aligned with the Strategic Objectives laid out in the USDA’s Strategic Plan and are monitored 

and evaluated during the Quarterly Strategic Reviews, the Bi-Annual Strategic Review with OMB, and included 

within the Annual Performance Plan and Report published by OBPA., and is responsible for achieving and 

measuring results with respect to the following USDA Strategic Goal and Objectives:

• Strategic Goal 1: Combat Climate Change to Support America’s Working Lands, Natural Resources, and 

Communities

o Objective 1.1: Use Climate-Smart Management and Sound Science to Enhance the Health and 

Productivity of Agricultural Lands

o Objective 1.2: Lead Efforts to Adapt to the Consequences of Climate Change in Agriculture and 

Forestry

o Objective 1.3: Restore, Protect, and Conserve Watersheds to Ensure Clean, Abundant, and 

Continuous Provision of Water Resources 

• Strategic Goal 3: Foster an Equitable and Competitive Global Marketplace for All Agricultural Producers

o Objective 3.2: Expand Markets for Emerging Technologies, Sustainable Products, and Novel 

Products

• Strategic Goal 5: Expand Opportunities for Economic Development and Improve Quality of Life in Rural 

and Tribal Communities

o Objective 5.4: Promote Environmental Justice by Maximizing Sustainable and Green Economic

Development in Rural and Tribal Communities

The Forest Service 2023-2028 Strategic Plan will be published in the third quarter of 2023. The new Forest Service 

Strategic Plan will align and expand on each goal and objective listed above. The Forest Service Strategic Plan will 

serve as an additional mechanism to allow for contextual decision-making that leverages business analytics, process 

improvement, and strategic thinking to inform long-term decisions as well as measure progress towards stated goals 

and objectives. 
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KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES

A more detailed report of the performance plan can be found at https://www.usda.gov/ouragency/aboutusda/performance. The following table summarizes the results for the Departmental Key Performance 

Indicators (KPIs) for which the Forest Service is responsible. 

Table FS-67. Key Performance Indicators

Strategic Objective 1.1 2023 2024

Terrestrial Condition Assessment Results - -

Percent of National Forest System (NFS) landscape ecosystems 

improved, maintained, or recovering due to management actions, 

Terrestrial Condition Assessment (TCA)

Target 38 38

Expected Performance Progress Towards the Achievement of Strategic Objectives: 

Strategic Objective 1.1: Increase the Sustainability of Our Forest, Crop and Livestock Systems by Deploying 

Climate and Environmentally Smart Management of Working Lands and Waterways.

Terrestrial Condition Assessment (TCA): 

In 2024, progress on the TCA KPI can be made by allowing for more time for complete implementation of 

restoration projects due to recent investments. It will also allow for staff in new roles to develop the skills, 

knowledge, and experience to expand the capacity of the agency. As more landscape-scale active management is 

planned, implemented, and completed with resources and capacity from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and 

the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), this KPI will be able to meet future targets. Restoration work, especially when 

done at scale, takes time to complete and see the investment outcomes as various activities move through planning, 

contracting, and implementation phases prior to being completed. Through focused work in priority areas and 

greater support for landscape-scale work through agency programs (e.g., selection and funding for the next group of 

Collaborative Forest Land Restoration Project projects), the percent of landscapes improved, maintained, and 

recovering should continue to improve.

Table FS-68. Key Performance Indicators

Strategic Objective 1.2 2023 2024

Forest Legacy Program Results - -

Number of private forest acres protected through the Forest Legacy 

Program1 Target 64,000 64,000

Wildfire Risk Reduction Results - -

Number of high priority areas where treatments have occurred to 

reduce wildfire risk to communities (number of firesheds, annually)2 Target 1 1

Hazardous Fuels Reduction Results - -

Acreage Treated to Reduce or Maintain Fuel Conditions on National 

Forest System and Non-Federal Lands (Million Acres, Annually) Target 4.0 4.2

Final Acreage Treatment Results - -

Acreage of National Forest System Lands Where Final Treatment 

Effectively Mitigates Wildfire Risk (Million Acres, Annually) Target 1.6 1.7

Timber Volume Results - -

Timber Volume Sold (Billion Board Feet) Target 3.4 3.4

Scholarly Publications Results - -

Number of Peer-Reviewed Scholarly Publications3 Target - 1100

1 This KPI reflects 2022, 2023, 2024 and the Forest Service expects that current investments will not result in KPI increases until 

2025 as it takes a couple years for project completion.

2 Fireshed is a term similar to watershed. It refers to a geographic region with a similar risk of wildfire to adjacent communities. 

Reducing hazardous fuels within parts of the fireshed may reduce the overall risk to the adjacent community.
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3 The agency has previously tracked the number of peer-reviewed scholarly publications produced by Forest Service research 

scientists internally, but it will be elevated to a key performance indicator for the agency beginning in 2024. 

Expected Performance Progress Towards the Achievement of Strategic Objectives: 

Strategic Objective 1.2: Lead Efforts to Adapt to the Consequences of Climate Change in Agriculture and Forestry. 

Forest Legacy Program: 

The FS intends to continue increasing resources to partner states, fully implement the agency’s staffing plan, and 

adapt its programs to increase the pace of land acquisitions. Barriers to progress include timing of appropriations, 

staff tenure, and availability of staff with key technical capacity. In addition, filling and maintaining review 

appraiser staff positions continues to be a challenge.

Annual accomplishments are often from funds allocated in prior years, as these projects usually take several years to 

complete. The Forest Legacy Program received funding from IRA, which is being planned and will result in 

additional grant awards. Target acres will increase in future years to reflect IRA funding.

Wildfire Risk Reduction: 

In addition to the priority firesheds associated with the 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, the agency will also work 

closely with regions to identify additional high priority firesheds associated with State Forest Action Plans, Shared 

Stewardship agreements, and regional wildfire risk assessments. As the regions continue their work in the high 

priority firesheds, it is important to note this work requires several years of treatments to fully mitigate 

uncharacteristic wildfire risk. Therefore, as many field units are ramping up to the pace and scale needed, it will take 

time (likely years) to accumulate enough treated acres to fully modify 30 percent of a fireshed to low risk of 

wildfire. The BIL and IRA funding is being used to focus on the most critical firesheds and treat the area as quickly 

as possible. The funds will allow the agency to treat the highest priority and high-cost acres. These funds will allow 

the agency to increase the amount of planning, surveying, and contracting staff to complete requirements before the 

groundwork can begin.

This KPI will continue to evolve to ensure it is an outcome-based measure that identifies when the wildfire risk is 

significantly reduced. The science suggests up to 30 percent of the fireshed may require multiple years of treatment 

to reduce the wildfire risk. Once this level is achieved, the agency will continue to periodically treat the area to 

maintain low risk and will shift focus to other high priority firesheds.

In 2023, the agency is developing a workgroup to determine the business rules needed to advance this outcomebased measure. Additionally, the agency is evaluating all vegetation disturbances, including past wildfires, to 

determine if the vegetation has been modified sufficiently to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire. These areas 

will be added as they are identified, which may increase the number of firesheds modified by 30 percent.

Hazardous Fuels Reduction: 

The Forest Service will continue to work closely with the regional offices to achieve the right level of support to 

maintain current levels of risk, maintaining investments and maximizing opportunities to reduce wildfire risk in the 

highest priority firesheds. Specifically, the regions will continue to build agreements and contracts in anticipation of 

ongoing and sustained higher funding. The agency will focus the greatest amount of funding toward Wildfire Crisis 

Strategy Landscapes which will utilize BIL and IRA funding to ramp-up. These landscapes represent the most 

complex and often most expensive acres to treat. As a result, increases in treated acres will take time. Future 

increases in acres treated are expected in outyears. Additionally, as new employees are hired and trained, the regions 

expect to see increased efficiencies and work completed, leading to additional acres treated. 

In addition, the BIL and IRA funding will be used to treat the highest priority firesheds associated with the 10-year 

Wildfire Crisis Strategy while most of the annually appropriated hazardous fuels funding will be prioritized to 

maintain the acres classified as low risk.

Final Acreage Treatment: 

The Forest Service will continue to work closely with the regional offices to achieve the right level of support to 

maintain current levels of risk while also maintaining investments and maximizing opportunities to reduce wildfire 

risk. Specifically, the regions will continue to build agreements and contracts in anticipation of ongoing and 

sustained higher funding. The agency will focus the greatest amount of funding toward National Priority 

Landscapes, which will continue to utilize BIL and IRA funding to ramp-up. These landscapes represent the most 
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complex and often most expensive acres to treat. As a result, increases in treated acres will take time. Future 

increases of acres mitigated will occur slowly; however, due to the complexity of these landscapes, they are 

expected to take 10 years. Additionally, as new employees are hired and trained, the regions expect to see increased 

efficiencies and work completed leading to additional acres treated. 

Timber Volume

Forest Service field staff continue looking for ways to work with partners, as well as the use of multiple contracting 

types and other authorities to get more work done at a larger scale. Additional support to provide training to 

employees and support options for efficiencies will be a key focus leading into 2024. In 2024, headquarters staff will 

continue working with the field on the development of a 5-year strategic plan of action that outlines expectations 

and outcomes for future planning and accomplishments.

Budget allocations earlier in the year would allow for strategic investments and accomplishments. An emphasis on 

employee recruitment and position hiring will need to be a continued focus into 2024 to ensure a full work force is 

available to meet the objectives of the FS.

Scholarly Publications

This KPI will be formally used starting in 2024 and enumerates the number of peer-reviewed scholarly publications 

that are the result of material support from FS R&D, and on which selection for publication is based on formal peer 

review and an independent editorial decision. The definition of peer-reviewed scholarly publications is as written in 

the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) memo of August 25, 2022 on the subject of “Ensuring Free, 

Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research,” which reads, “Such scholarly publications always 

include peer-reviewed research articles or final manuscripts published in scholarly journals, and may include peerreviewed book chapters, editorials, and peer-reviewed conference proceedings published in other scholarly outlets 

that result from Federally funded research.”

Table FS-69. Key Performance Indicators

Strategic Objective 1.3 2023 2024

Watershed Restoration Results - -

Number of Watersheds Moved to Improved Condition Class or 

Sustained in Condition Class 11

Target 16 21

1 Condition Class 1: The drainage network is generally stable. Physical, chemical, and biologic conditions suggest that the soil, 

aquatic, and riparian systems are predominantly functional in terms of supporting beneficial uses. (Forest Service Manual 2521.1)

Expected Performance Progress Towards the Achievement of Strategic Objectives: 

Strategic Objective 1.3: Restore, Protect, and Conserve Watersheds to Ensure Clean, Abundant, and Continuous 

Provision of Water Resources.

Watershed Restoration

If available, increased project funding in FY 2024 from BIL and IRA may be used to address the backlog of 

essential restoration projects in priority watersheds and increase the number of watersheds maintained or moved to 

an improved condition in FY 2024 and future years. If available, increased project funding in 2024 from BIL and 

IRA may be used to address the backlog of essential restoration projects in priority watersheds and increase the 

number of watersheds maintained or moved to an improved condition in 2024 and future years. If anticipated 

funding increases in 2023 and 2024 do not materialize, progress will be reduced and slowdowns in contracting staff 

will inhibit projects being accomplished.

Table FS-70. Key Performance Indicators

Strategic Objective 5.4 2023 2024

National Forest Customer Satisfaction Results - -

Percentage of Customers Satisfied with Recreation Facilities, 

Services, and Settings in National Forests

Target 98 98
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Expected Performance Progress Towards the Achievement of Strategic Objectives: 

Strategic Objective 5.4: Promote Environmental Justice by Maximizing Sustainable and Green Economic 

Development in Rural and Tribal Communities.

National Forest Customer Satisfaction

Continued investment in deferred maintenance needs through the Great American Outdoors Act and additional 

investments in areas with high visitor use will continue to support positive outcomes. Investments in customer 

service through platforms, such as Recreation.gov, will make FS facilities easier to find and facilitate trip planning 

to match recreation and visitor needs with the appropriate resources. 

High levels of visitor satisfaction will likely continue, thanks to the recent hiring of new staff to support recreational 

programs, investments in deferred maintenance, and continued public interest in outdoor recreation. The targets for 

2023 and 2024 of 98 percent, however, are likely not achievable at the current resource levels. 
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SPECIAL EXHIBITS

BIOMASS AND WOOD INNOVATIONS

Table FS-71. Forest Service Funding for Wood Products, Wood Energy, and the Wood Education and Resource 

Center (thousands of dollars)

Activity 2022 

Actual

2023 

Estimate

2024 

Estimated

Wood Innovations Program:

Geographically Target Wood Utilization a ......................................... $2,990 $2,995 $3,000

Wood Innovation Grants a .................................................................. 8,751 12,000 12,000

Other Market Development (Wood Products/Wood Energy) a, b........ 8,259 5,005 5,000

Subtotal, Wood Innovations Program ............................................. 20,000 20,000 20,000

Other Programs:

Bioeconomy Research c...................................................................... 9,185 9,185 10,000

Community Wood Energy a, d ............................................................. 12,000 15,000 15,000

Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC) e ............................. 1,250 1,000 1,000

Subtotal, Biomass Production ......................................................... 22,435 25,185 26,000

Total, Biomass and Wood Innovations.............................................. 42,435 45,185 46,000

a Funded program is Hazardous Fuels.

b Includes market development project grants with WoodWorks, U.S. Endowment, and other strategic partners.

c Funded program is Forest and Rangeland Research.

d Community Wood Energy grant program was funded in 2021 at $2.0 million and in 2022 at $12 million, using non-Wood 

Innovations Program funding.

e A mix of program funds (Forest Health Management, Hazardous Fuels, National Fire Capacity, Urban and Community 

Forestry, and Working Forest Lands) provided to the Wood Education and Resource Center to address hardwood industry issues

related to the 35- state eastern hardwood region and to develop markets for underutilized hardwoods and softwoods in the region.

FY 2024 

The Forest Service’s emphasis on innovative uses for wood and wood fiber materials focuses on developing new 

products and markets for small and medium-sized trees, underutilized and low-value forestry residuals, and 

industrial wood residues. Research and Development (R&D) and State, Private, and Tribal Forestry (SPTF) Wood 

Innovations are leading this work using appropriate authorities.

The work planned for 2024 is structured around forest bioeconomy research in R&D and the SPTF Wood 

Innovations Program. Wood and biomass extraction are not specifically funded at the national level; however, it is a 

factor in the agency’s national strategy for improving forest conditions and utilizing material removed during forest 

management and restoration. This emphasis supports the 10-Year Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The following describes 

the work to be accomplished in 2024. 

Complimentary and supplemental funding for Wood Innovations grants and Community Wood grants has been 

made available through provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reductions Act. 

Additionally, the Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance grant program has been initiated under BIL Section 

40804b3 to support facilities that purchase and process byproducts from restoration projects on Federal, tribal and 

other lands that are at high risk of severe wildfire or insect or disease infestation.

Biomass Production

In 2024, the National Forest System will continue to make material available for wood and biomass markets (wood 

energy and wood products) as a by-product of restoration work. In 2022, the agency sold over 2.3 million green tons

of biomass (fresh cut woody material at a “green” moisture content of half water and half woody material) to various 

wood energy and wood products markets. The National Forest System will continue to work with the SPTF Wood 

Innovations Program and R&D to grow markets and infrastructure for biomass production and utilization across the 

country. They have specifically added staff to serve as a biomass coordinator in partnership with Wood Innovations.
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Bioeconomy Research

The Forest Service continues to work with academic and industrial partners on research and development of 

sustainable biorefinery products from forest biomass. In cellulose nanomaterials, researchers continue to investigate 

important properties for industrial applications, such as crystallinity, and develop nanoscale cellulosic materials for 

packaging, oil drilling, coatings, light-weight automobile materials, concrete, water filtration and manufacturing 

technologies. In lignin research, scientists continue to understand the key chemical structure; fundamental properties 

for application; the UV absorbing, antimicrobial, and antioxidation properties; and lignin composite materials. In 

biotechnology research, scientists are investigating biomanufacturing of high-value materials from biomass, such as 

nanofibers, sugars, pharmaceuticals, high-value chemicals, and biofoundries. Forest Service scientists are also 

investigating the development of carbon-based materials from forest biomass and their application in emerging 

technologies. In sustainable packaging, scientists are developing biobased packaging materials that are 

environmentally friendly and match the properties of traditional plastic materials. Forest Service life cycle research 

continues to assess sustainability related attributes of forest biomaterials throughout their life cycle. To accelerate 

commercialization of cellulose nanomaterials from forest biomass, the Forest Service continues to invest in P3

Nano, 

a public-private partnership with the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, to fund exploratory and 

developmental research in cellulose nanomaterials. 

In support of technology transfer, the Forest Service continues to lead or participate as experts in the International 

Organization for Standardization (commonly known as ISO), the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper 

Industry (TAPPI), and American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), and in international projects around

cellulose nanomaterials, pulp and paper, lignin, and sustainability. Scientists also provide specialized testing service 

in support of implementing new technologies in industry. The Forest Service continues to participate in the National 

Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), the Bioeconomy Initiative, and the Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, 

Engineering, and Technology (NSET) of the White House National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). 

Participation in Federal government initiatives allows the Forest Service to leverage cross-departmental resources, 

reach out to non-traditional markets, and be part of Federal government priority issues.

Wood Innovations Program

The Forest Service established the Wood Innovations Program in 2015 to strategically expand development of wood 

products and renewable wood energy markets that support forest management and deliver economic and

environmental benefits to communities. This work informs business decisions by providing technical assistance, 

funding, and high- quality data. Annual Wood Innovation Grants (as codified in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 

2018 (2018 Farm Bill) (P.L. 115-334) fund diverse projects for public and private entities across the country. The

maximum for each grant is generally $250,000-$300,000 with a required 100 percent match of the requested Federal 

funds. The funding level requested in 2024 for the Wood Innovations Program is $20 million.

A second competitive funding program, the Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation funding opportunity 

(referred to as Community Wood), was available in 2022. The intent of this program is to install thermally led 

community wood energy systems or to build new or expand existing innovative wood products facilities; $12 

million was awarded in 2022. This program is authorized under the 2018 Farm Bill to be funded at up to $25 million 

per fiscal year through 2023. The funding level requested for 2024 is $15 million.

Through the Wood Innovations Program, 24 states have established statewide Wood Energy Teams to expand wood 

energy markets. Seventeen states and Puerto Rico have established statewide Wood Utilization Teams to expand 

traditional and innovative wood products markets. These teams have been extremely effective in identifying

successful opportunities in the highest priority areas of each state. This funding has leveraged substantial private 

investment, created local jobs, supported forest health priorities, and improved local economies. For the statewide 

Energy and Utilization teams, Federal funds are often matched at well beyond the 50 percent match level required 

prior to 2020 and the 100 percent match level required in 2022. Projects have supported private investment in new 

manufacturing capacity and wood energy systems. These teams include several State partners, university extensions, 

and industry representatives, all focused on growing existing and bringing new wood product and energy

opportunities to States.

The agency continues to expand the use of wood in the commercial, institutional, and multi-family building sector. 

Engineered wood products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) for these mid- to high-rise buildings are opening 

extensive new markets that are offsetting forest restoration and hazardous fuels removal costs. In addition to Wood 

Innovation Grants supporting the development of this sector, the Forest Service provides funding to WoodWorks, an 

organization that has been instrumental and highly effective in helping architects, engineers, and developers 
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understand how to take advantage of this significant opportunity. A new mass timber competition, “Building to NetZero Carbon” was initiated in 2022 to support expanded building types for mass timber, including medical facilities, 

warehouses, schools, and tall buildings. As of December 2022, 1,677 mass timber buildings have been built or are 

under construction in the United States76. However, market research shows that up to 17,000 buildings could be 

built annually using this construction material77. The opportunity to use mass timber to meet net zero carbon goals is 

substantial if the use of this material can be accelerated.

The agency assists and collaborates with key cellulosic biofuels stakeholders in government and the private sector. 

The cellulosic biofuels sector has potential to expand significantly over the next five years, which would generate 

long-term demand for low value forest residues, small trees, and excess industrial wood residues from forest 

products manufacturing. Multiple companies are focusing on using wood waste and hazardous fuel removals as 

feedstock for biofuels. 

Wood Education and Resource Center

The Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC) in Princeton, West Virginia was founded through the Omnibus 

Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (P.L. 105-277). The WERC focuses on 

primary and secondary wood processing, woody biomass utilization using multidisciplinary approaches, efficient 

utilization of urban tree removals, and partnerships to solve forest products-related issues.

The WERC programs maintain and improve wood industry productivity and competitiveness in a sustainable 

manner within the 35 states of the Eastern hardwood regions. Viable wood products markets enable sustainable 

forest management on private, state, tribal, and Federal lands. WERC also supports the National Wood Energy 

Technical Assistance team, a highly effective program that collaborates with local communities and public and 

private sector entities to help them generate renewable energy from forests. In 2022, WERC supported the analysis 

and feasibility study for 59 projects that considered the conversion from natural gas or propane systems to wood 

energy. This work was done to support thermal wood energy and combined heat and power systems in every Forest 

Service region. Additionally, WERC funded eight wood markets and wood energy projects that will support wood 

utilization in the Eastern region.

Additionally, the WERC houses the West Virginia Forest Products Cooperative through a Special Use Permit 

agreement that allows the Cooperative to use the WERC Rough Mill facility as a site for their training and 

manufacturing efforts. This supports the WERC strategy to encourage local economic development opportunities in

the hardwood region.

Past Performance

The Forest Service has a long history of success in encouraging the expansion of wood products and wood energy

markets and continues to support this expansion. Selected accomplishments include the following:

• In 2022, the Forest Service conducted a formal Community Wood competitive funding program. The agency 

funded 16 shovel-ready projects for $12.0 million that leveraged $39 million of non-Federal investments in 9 

states. These projects are characterized as follows: located at municipal government, sawmill, paper 

manufacturing, rendering, and furniture manufacturing facilities; use locally sourced biomass or wood 

residues to generate renewable energy or manufacture innovative wood products, support forest 

management, and have a significant impact on the local economy; and create demand for low value woody

biomass for over 20 years, including areas of high wildfire risk and near National Forest System lands.

• In 2022, the Forest Service awarded approximately $8.75 million to fund 41 Wood Innovation Grants to 

expand wood products and wood energy markets to support the management of National Forest System lands 

and other lands with significant forest restoration needs, especially those in dire need of hazardous fuels 

reduction. This funding supports traditional wood utilization projects, promotes using wood as a construction 

material in commercial buildings, and expands wood energy markets. Federal funds were matched by partners 

at more than $27.2 million.

• Activities implemented through the Wood Innovations Program have resulted in significant growth of the 

mass timber industry. As of December 2022, there are over 1,677 mass timber buildings constructed, in

design or under construction in the United States, 12 operational mass timber manufacturing plants, and 

additional plants announced or in planning. Key partnerships with private and public organizations have 

facilitated this growth, and we are seeing fiber from forest restoration projects being used in projects. Several 

76 https://www.woodworks.org/resources/mapping-mass-timber/ 77 https://www.woodworks.org/why-wood/sustainability/
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significant projects were completed in 2022, notably the 25 story Ascent skyscraper in Milwaukee, 

Wisconsin, the tallest timber building in the world.

• In 2022, WERC supported the analysis and feasibility study for 59 projects that considered the conversion 

from natural gas or propane systems to wood energy. This work was done to support thermal wood energy 

and combined heat and power systems in every Forest Service region. Additionally, WERC funded eight 

wood markets and wood energy projects that will support wood utilization in the Eastern region.

• In 2021, the agency produced over 2.3 million green tons of biomass from National Forest System lands for 

use in bioenergy production.

• In 2022, Forest Service scientists published over 30 research papers related to forest biomass utilization. 

• In 2022, Forest Service R&D begin reviewing Phase VII P3

Nano proposals in exploratory and developmental 

cellulose nanomaterials research, totaling $1.75 million, with final decision due in the first quarter of 2023. 

• In 2022, Forest Service experts participated in the development of the President’s sustainable aviation fuel 

grand challenge and deliberation of the sustainable aviation fuel roadmap.

• To date, scientists in the biomass to pharmaceutical 3-HBL (3-Hydroxybutyrolactone) and glycolic acid 

project have developed a synthesis framework, identified key enzymatic steps, and achieved over 90 percent

theoretical yield. The team will continue work on kinetics and process modeling for scaling up. 

• In 2022, Forest Service experts are leading the revision of the ISO standard cellulose nanomaterials terms, 

participated in ISO standards development in lignin chemistry for the pulp and paper industry, and prestandards development study in crystallinity of cellulose nanocrystals. 
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CARBON ACCOUNTING

Background

This exhibit responds to a Congressional Directive from House Report 117-83: 

The Committee recognizes our National Forests as an essential asset in reducing carbon emissions and in 

the fight against climate change. Healthy forests provide an important carbon sink, and the Committee 

recognizes the Forest Service’s efforts to factor carbon accounting into its land management decisions. The 

Committee directs the Forest Service to submit a yearly estimate of carbon accounting on Forest Service 

lands broken down by region in its annual budget materials. The Committee expects the increases given to 

numerous programs throughout the Forest Service to combat wildfires, invasive species and diseases, 

rehabilitate burned areas, among others, will help contribute to an increased amount of carbon stored in our 

National Forests.

Overview

For nearly a century, the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program has measured millions of trees, on hundreds 

of thousands of plots in a statistical nationwide framework, providing the information needed to assess one of 

America's greatest resources—its forests. The collection and development of scientifically credible FIA data, tools, 

and analyses over decades, integrated with remote sensing products, provide critical status and trend information to 

resource managers, policy makers, investors, and the public. This annual resource inventory covers both public and 

private forest lands – all ownerships – across the United States. FIA reports on status and trends in forest area and 

location; land cover and land use change; species, size, and health of trees; total tree growth, mortality, and removals 

by harvest; wood production and utilization rates by various products; forest land ownership; and forest carbon 

stocks.

Given the complexities associated with estimating carbon in forest ecosystems, FIA measures more than just live 

trees. Dead trees, downed dead wood, forest floor, and soils have been added to the FIA program over the past 

decades to fully monitor forest carbon. This work is critical to meeting reporting guidelines under international 

agreements and is done collaboratively with other agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s 

National Resources Inventory. The Forest Service reports annually on the forest and harvested wood products 

greenhouse gas emissions and removals to the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change via the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In coordination with a host of critical partners, field inventory data are collected every year in all 50 States, and 

periodically in territories and former island protectorates. The goal is to publicly release fully processed forest 

carbon estimates data within two years of collection across a robust suite of forest health metrics (e.g., tree mortality 

and soil health) that provides decision makers and policymakers with evidence to support forest investments. The 

data helps enable the evaluation of tradeoffs between maximizing forest carbon storage and increasing the resilience 

of U.S. forests to expected global change (e.g., increasing droughts). Recognizing how the future of U.S. forests are 

entwined with communities and economies, FIA also conducts annual nationwide Timber Product Output and 

National Woodland Owners Surveys, which produce data that support a robust and inclusive national assessment of 

forest carbon and associated resource decisions.

Carbon Accounting on Forested National Forest System Lands 

The tables below display the Forest Service’s assessment of current carbon stock by forest areas and carbon stock by 

regions. Table FS-68 contains the current carbon stock and forest land acreage, and Table FS-69 provides net carbon 

change estimates for forest lands on National Forests System lands by region. The estimates are based on Forest 

Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data used in the most recent Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 

1990-202078 using the methodology described in the Population Estimation User’s Guide and Resource Update.

79, 80

Forest carbon estimates are derived by estimating the carbon content of forest biomass by various pools (e.g., live 

trees or soils) in a year all within the statistical framework employed by the FIA program. Change in stocks is 

calculated by subtracting the estimates between respective years. Programmatic synergies are achieved because the 

78 https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks-1990-2020 79 Pugh, SA et al. 2018. The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: Population Estimation User Guide (Edition: November 2018). USDA 

Forest Service. 166 p. [Online]. Available at web address: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/. [Accessed 27 October 2021] 80 Domke et al. 2021. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals From Forest Land, Woodlands, and Urban Trees in the United States, 1990–

2019. Resource Update FS–307. Madison, WI: USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 5 p. [plus 2 appendixes]. 

https://doi.org/10.2737/FS-RU-307. [Accessed 4 November 2021]
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same FIA datasets used to estimate forest carbon are used by USDA and a host of Federal, State, and private entities 

for assessing a myriad of additional forest attributes such as wildlife habitat, effects of insects and disease, or oldgrowth prevalence across all U.S. forests.

In addition to sequestering carbon in live tree biomass via the growth of forests, carbon sequestration also continues 

in harvested wood, which has been less than 1 million metric tons of carbon per year for wood harvested from all 

National Forests.

81 Some treatment activities will increase carbon in the landscape, such as restoring burned areas. 

Other activities such as hazardous fuels treatments to reduce fire risk will reduce carbon in forested landscapes, but 

that carbon may be stored in wood products or used as a substitute for energy from fossil fuels. Forest carbon is 

dynamic over time, and healthy forests may contain small or large amounts of carbon stocks change, or flux. 

Vigorously growing young stands may contain less carbon stocks than stands containing many large dead trees, 

while sequestering carbon from the atmosphere at higher rates. In summary, the collection and distribution of FIA’s 

forest data empowers the evaluation of the many intricacies associated with forest carbon dynamics beyond the 

purview of this summary.

Table FS-72. Carbon stocks (million metric tons carbon) and forested national forest area (million acres) on 

National Forest System (NFS) lands by Region a 

Region

NFS lands

forested 

area 

(million 

acres)

Carbon stock (million metric tons) in forest pool

Aboveground live

biomass

Belowground live

biomass Dead wood Forest floor Soil carbon Total

01-Northern 22.78 468.92 98.35 219.9 144.78 1054.08 1986.03

02-Rocky Mountain 15.21 219.36 45.31 111.77 81.55 580.16 1038.14

03-Southwestern 11.54 135.60 27.50 40.40 35.70 422.00 661.20

04-Intermountain 20.61 241.94 49.46 124.91 84.86 844.02 1345.20

05-Pacific Southwest 14.24 509.99 105.22 134.9 84.61 654.63 1489.35

06-Pacific Northwest 22.55 973.48 204.20 270.61 142.36 1056.88 2647.52

08-Southern 13.14 440.12 86.28 48.14 49.80 439.52 1063.86

09-Eastern 11.76 300.05 58.46 42.85 58.58 511.98 971.92

10-Alaskab 2.96 107.76 22.66 33.04 30.12 163.76 357.33

Total 134.84 3,397.20 697.40 1026.60 712.30 5,727.10 11,560.60

a Data is derived from Forest Inventories through year 2020, with the most recent snapshot of the dynamic database of incoming 

available data here: https://www.fs.usds.gov/rds/archive/catalog/RDS-2022-052

b Some National Forest wilderness areas are not included currently due to limited access.

81 Heath, LS et al. 2011. Carbon stocks on forestland of the United States, with emphasis on USDA Forest Service ownership. Ecosphere 2(1): 

art6 doi:10.1890/ES10-00126.1.
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Table FS-73. Net annual carbon stock change (million metric tons carbon/year) on forested NFS lands by Regiona

and reporting year, 2020.

NFS Region 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2018 2019 2020

01-Northern -1.6 -1.2 -0.7 -0.2 0.2 0.7 0.7 0.8

02-Rocky Mountain 12.7 12.9 13.1 13.2 13.3 11.9 12.0 11.9

03-Southwestern 5.0 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.9 6.5 6.6 6.7

04-Intermountain 8.6 9.0 9.4 9.8 10.4 10.5 10.8 10.9

05-Pacific Southwest -8.9 -8.7 -8.4 -8.1 -7.8 -6.6 -8.4 -6.2

06-Pacific Northwest -26.3 -25.3 -25.6 -26.1 -27.2 -28.5 -28.7 -28.8

08-Southern -29.4 -28.5 -27.6 -26.7 -26.1 -24.9 -24.7 -24.5

09-Eastern -12.4 -12.0 -11.7 -11.8 -11.9 -11.7 -11.6 -11.5

10-Alaska -1.4 -1.4 -1.5 -1.6 -1.8 -1.9 -1.9 -1.9

Total -53.6 -50.1 -47.7 -45.9 -44.9 -44.1 -43.2 -42.6

a Because FIA’s annual measurement approach is based on measured data from the nationwide Forest Inventory and Analysis 

program where a portion of all plots are measured in any given year, the change estimates span 5-to-10-year intervals. b Negative carbon changes indicate carbon is increasing in the forest carbon pool.

The majority (6.12 million metric tons) of combined carbon stocks on NFS lands are in Regions 01(Northern), 03 

(Pacific Southwest), and 06 (Pacific Northwest). The bulk of the increase of net carbon stock change (-64.8 million 

metric tons per year) occurs in Regions 06 (Pacific Northwest), 08 (Southern), and 09 (Eastern). Currently, there is a 

substantial transfer of live biomass carbon to the dead wood pool and atmosphere on National Forest System lands 

due to recent catastrophic events from fire, insect and disease, and storm damage, resulting in high tree mortality, 

which remains in place. FIA’s measurement of forest carbon across time and diversity of pools suggests complex 

tradeoffs between increasing the resilience of forest ecosystems to expected future change within the context of 

maximizing forest carbon. 
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CRITERIA FOR ALLOCATING FUNDING FOR RECREATION ACCESS

Background

This exhibit responds to a Congressional Directive from Senate Report 116-123:

The Committee believes increasing access to our public lands is important and provides funding to all four

land management agencies—the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), Forest

Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service—to complete projects that enhance access to public lands for

hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities. The Committee expects recreational access projects to be

selected based on their role in meeting key recreation needs, and the agencies should work with their

respective regions, State offices, and/or management units to identify all potential projects. Further, the

agencies are again directed to include in future budget justifications an explanation of the process and criteria

used for allocating funds for recreational access in the previous year.

Overview

Land Acquisition funds are used to secure access to public lands for recreational purposes. Funds are used to meet 

public recreation access needs, such as preserving large, intact areas for recreation, by working with landowners to 

secure rights-of-way, easements, or fee simple land acquisitions that provide or improve public access to existing 

public lands. Under the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) (P.L. 116-152), land acquisition funding through the 

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) became mandatory. In 2022, the Forest Service acquired 7,131,500 

acres of land that provided or improved public access. 

FY 2022 Criteria

The Forest Service prioritizes land acquisitions that have the broad support of stakeholders, local officials, and

others at the local level to mitigate barriers to public access and attract more visitors to recreate in a safe, accessible 

environment. Congress requires the Forest Service to “annually develop a priority list for projects that, through

acquisition of land (or an interest in land), secure recreational public access to Federal land under the jurisdiction of

the applicable Secretary for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, or other outdoor recreational purposes” (54 

U.S.C. 200306(c)).

The agency evaluates proposed recreational access tracts for LWCF funding based on the following criteria:

• How does the acquisition solve a specific access problem or overcome a barrier to access?

• What is the size and configuration of the tract relative to the National Forest System lands around it?

• How much of the tract borders existing National Forest System or other publicly accessible lands?

• What types of recreational access would the land provide? Hunting, fishing, hiking, or other?

• Has the public indicated that more or improved access is needed in this area?

• What is the level of local support for the acquisition?

Selected Example of Recent Progress

In 2022, the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana used recreation access funding to acquire the East Fork Bitterroot 

property. Acquisition of these lands will secure permanent public access to a very visible and high-traffic access 

point located near the rapidly growing city of Hamilton, MT. The East Fork is widely recognized as one of Western 

Montana's premier trout fishing streams, particularly among fly fishermen. The acquisition encompasses 

approximately 1,400 feet of river frontage, ensuring continued public access to this community resource.
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EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT

Overview

The EAJA, enacted in 1980, authorizes the payment of attorney fees and court costs to parties that prevail against 

the government in legal proceedings. The Forest Service has kept detailed records on EAJA payments and other

attorney since fiscal year 2009.

Background

This exhibit addresses the directive included in House Report 112-151 that accompanied the Department of Interior, 

Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-74), where:

The Committee directs the Department of the Interior, the EPA, and the Forest Service to provide to the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations and make publicly available, no later than 60 days after 

enactment of this Act, and with each agency’s annual budget submission thereafter, the following 

information: detailed reports on the amount of program funds used; the names of the fee recipients; the 

names of the Federal judges; the disposition of the applications (including any appeals of action taken on 

the applications); and the hourly rates of attorneys and expert witnesses stated in the applications that was 

awarded, for all EAJA fee payments awarded as a result of litigation against any of the Department of 

Interior bureaus, the EPA, or the Forest Service, or their respective employees. The report shall also include 

the information listed above for litigation relating to the Endangered Species Act and the amounts, outside 

of EAJA awards, paid in settlement for all litigation, regardless of the statute litigated.

Table FS-74. 2022 EAJA Fee Payments

Docket/Court Case Name Plaintiff Judge(s) Date 

Certified Program Amount

4:19-cv-00097-

DN-PK United 

States District 

Court District of 

Utah

Western 

Watersheds Project 

v. United States 

Forest Service

Western 

Watersheds 

Project

Nuffer, David; 

Kohler, Paul

1/20/2022 FS Organizational 

Services

$35,000 

1:21-cv-01041-

DAD-BAM United 

States District 

Court Eastern 

District of CA 

Fresno Division

Sequoia 

Forestkeeper et al 

v. United States 

Forest Service

Sequoia 

Forestkeeper et al

Drozd, Dale 

A.; McAuliffe, 

Barbara A.

1/26/2022 FS National Forest 

Hazard Fuels 

Reduction

68,000 

9:20-cv-00179-

DWM United 

States District 

Court District of 

Montana Missoula 

Division

Alliance for the 

Wild Rockies v. 

Leanne Marten et 

al

Native Ecosystems 

Council Alliance 

for the Wild 

Rockies

Molloy, 

Donald W.

3/29/2022 FS Wildlife, 

Fisheries and 

Habitat

108,483 

2:17-cv-00372-

MHW-KAJ United 

States District 

Court Southern 

District of Ohio 

Eastern Division

Center for 

Biological 

Diversity, et al v. 

U.S. Forest Service 

et al

Center For 

Biological 

Diversity

Watson, 

Michael H.; 

Jolson, 

Kimberly A.

4/5/2022 FS Minerals 

Management 

99,000 

6:21-cv-01505-AA 

United States 

District Court 

District of Oregon 

Eugene Division

Umpqua 

Watersheds v. 

Sherri Chambers; 

and the United 

States Forest 

Service

Umpqua 

Watersheds, 

Cascadia 

Wildlands, Oregon 

Wild

Aiken, Ann 4/7/2022 FS Forest 

Products

16,000 
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Docket/Court Case Name Plaintiff Judge(s) Date 

Certified Program Amount

6:21-cv-01225-AA 

United States 

District Court 

District of Oregon 

Eugene Division

Cascadia 

Wildlands, and 

Oregon Wild v. 

United States 

Forest Service

Cascadia 

Wildlands and 

Oregon Wild

Aiken, Ann 7/13/2022 FS Forest 

Products

115,000 

2:22-cv-00045-

BMM-JTJ United 

States District 

Court District of 

Montana Butte 

Division

Gallatin 

Yellowstone 

Wilderness 

Alliance v. US 

Forest Service

Gallatin 

Yellowstone 

Wilderness 

Alliance

Morris, Brian 

M.; Johnston, 

John T.

7/26/2022 FS Recreation, 

Heritage and 

Wilderness

700 

1:20-cv-00213-

BLW United States 

District Court 

District of Idaho

Western 

Watersheds Project 

et al v. USDA 

APHIS Wildlife 

Services, US Forest 

Service, and 

Bureau of Land 

Management

Western 

Watersheds 

Project, Wildearth 

Guardians, and 

Predator Defense

Winmill, B. 

Lynn

7/26/2022 FS Organizational 

Services

16,667 

6:21-cv-01228-MC 

United States 

District Court 

District of Oregon 

Eugene Division

Forest Service 

Employees for 

Environmental 

Ethics v. U.S. 

Forest Service et al

Forest Service 

Employees for 

Environmental 

Ethics

McShane, 

Michael J.

6/7/2022 FS Forest 

Products

38,000 

6:21-cv-01227-MC 

United States 

District Court 

District of Oregon 

Eugene Division

Cascadia 

Wildlands et al v. 

David Warnack et 

al

Cascadia 

Wildlands, Oregon 

Wild, and 

Willamette 

Riverkeeper

McShane, 

Michael J.

6/7/2022 FS National Forest 

Hazard Fuels 

Reduction

58,500 

1:21-cv-00067-

NDF United States 

District Court 

District of 

Wyoming

Western 

Watersheds 

Project, et al v. 

Randy Moore, et 

al

Western 

Watersheds 

Project

Freudenthal, 

Nancy D.

7/26/2022 FS Organizational 

Services; FS 

Inventory and 

Monitor; FS 

Wildlife, Fisheries 

and Habitat 160,000 

15-cv-01342-JLK 

United States 

District Court 

District of 

Colorado

Rocky Mountain 

Wild, Inc. v. Dallas 

et al

Rocky Mountain 

Wild

Kane, John L. 8/1/2022 FS Recreation, 

Heritage and 

Wilderness; FS 

Wildlife, Fisheries 

and Habitat; FS 

Land Ownership 

Management; FS 

Inventory and 

Monitor; FS 

National Forest 

Hazard Fuels 

Reduction 412,500 

9:21-cv-00022-

DWM United 

States District 

Court District of 

Montana Missoula 

Division

Native Ecosystems 

Council, Alliance 

for the Wild 

Rockies v. Keith 

Lannom; and the 

United States 

Forest Service

Native Ecosystems 

Council Alliance 

for the Wild 

Rockies

Molloy, 

Donald W.

8/29/2022 FS National Forest 

Hazard Fuels 

Reduction

120,000 
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Docket/Court Case Name Plaintiff Judge(s) Date 

Certified Program Amount

Total 1,247,850
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NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS

Background

This exhibit addresses requirements contained in House Report 111-180, which directed:

The Committee recommendation retains previous base funding for maintenance, construction, and operation 

of the network of national scenic and historic trails but encourages additional funding for required work of the 

newly authorized national trails. Future budget justifications should continue to provide specific trail 

operation, maintenance and construction funding and accomplishment data for the national scenic and historic 

trails. The Forest Service should provide full time administrators and prepare the required comprehensive

management plans for the newly authorized national trails.

Overview

The Forest Service has designated trail administrators for six National Scenic and Historic Trails (NS&HT) – 

Arizona, Continental Divide, Florida, Nez Perce (Nee Mee Poo), Pacific Crest, and Pacific Northwest – and

manages portions of 15 additional NS&HTs on National Forest System lands, in cooperation with the Department of

the Interior, State and county governments, and private partners. Funding for administration and management of

these trails is included within the Capital Improvement and Maintenance Trails appropriation. Land acquisition for

trails is primarily funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

In 2022, trail maintenance and volunteer engagement increased to pre-pandemic levels. However, several

catastrophic wildfires in New Mexico, California, Idaho, and Oregon impaired management efforts of several 

NS&HTs. As a result, NS&HT tasks largely focused on providing safety information to trail users and coordinating 

with stakeholders to implement safety protocols to accomplish field work to the extent possible.

Arizona National Scenic Trail

The 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) showcases Arizona’s diverse landscapes, offering unparalleled

backcountry experiences in settings ranging from Sonoran Desert to alpine forests. The AZT connects deserts,

mountains, canyons, wilderness, history, cultures, and communities. Eighty five percent of the AZT is on Federal 

land that includes the Grand Canyon National Park and three other National Park Service (NPS) units, four National 

Forests, and two Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field offices. Partners include the Arizona Trail Association 

and numerous local trail clubs, Federal agencies, State and local governments, Tribes, and youth corps.

In 2022, the Arizona Trail Association (ATA) worked with almost 1,300 volunteers who contributed about 24,000 

hours of work on the Arizona Trail. One partially funded Volunteer Engagement Intern assisted Arizona Trail 

Association host and plan volunteer events. Youth corps and volunteers installed 16 gates on four national forests, 

constructed 14 miles of new trail, constructed one new trailhead, developed, and installed new trailhead signs at 17 

locations in collaboration with land managers. In addition, 1,110 individual youth were contacted at least five times 

through outreach and educational programs (over 8,000 youth participant days). The educational program helped to 

connect underrepresented populations with the trail and lands managed by the Forest Service. A total of 23 new trail 

stewards were recruited, trained, and assigned to specific segments for monitoring, reporting and routine 

maintenance. Data was collected data from 42 wildlife cameras and processed over 160,000 images. Eight Trail 

Skills Institute courses were offered, providing in-depth hands-on training for more than 80 volunteers training them 

in the art and science of trail maintenance, design, and sustainability.

Access to the Arizona National Scenic Trail was improved with the construction of a new trailhead on private land.

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry worked with the private landowner to provide a trail easement to allow this 

construction to occur. This trailhead provides the public a location to park and enjoy the trail in an area where 

private lands often prohibit access to National Forest System administered lands.

A new trail administrator was hired in late November of 2022, and reinvigorated work on the trail comprehensive 

plan and environmental assessment. The draft plan specifies the trail’s nature and purpose, visitor capacity on the 

trail based on the number of permits provided at Saguaro and Grand Canyon National Parks, and management 

purposes and objectives for the trail. New partnerships were established with the Bureau of Land Management and 

National Park Service to coordinate management and funding opportunities along the trail.

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

The 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) runs along the spine of the Rocky Mountains from 

Mexico to Canada. It connects 20 national forests, three national parks, one national monument, 13 BLM field
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offices, and several historic sites. About 95 percent of the trail is located on public lands; however, many trail 

segments are currently co-located along open roads or motorized trails. Easements are lacking across numerous

parcels of private and State land and are needed to secure a continuous route for permanent public use. In 2022, 

work continued on optimal location reviews for four major “gap” areas along the CDT. 

Partners include the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, Montana Wilderness 

Association, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Montana Conservation Corps, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, 

Southwest Conservation Corps, Conservation Legacy, American Conservation Experience, Colorado Trail 

Foundation, Backcountry Horsemen and numerous other Federal, State, and local nongovernmental organizations. 

In 2022, 90 percent of the CDT allocation went to field units and partners for 32 trail maintenance, reconstruction, 

and relocation projects. In addition, trail-wide partner organizations such as the Continental Divide Trail Coalition 

and local partner organizations led several volunteer projects that engaged people in trail maintenance and 

construction. The entire CDT on National Forest System land (approximately 2,200 miles) is a Secretarially 

designated priority area for trail maintenance under the 2016 Trails Stewardship Act1

. Because of this designation, 

several forests were awarded Great American Outdoors Act and state trails funding to address deferred maintenance 

on the CDT and other connector trails.

New trail constructed and Major accomplishments in 2022 included: 

• Boss Lake Reconstruction: Crews from the Southwest Conservation Corp, Colorado Mountain Club and

the Colorado Trail Foundation completed the reconstruction of the 3-mile Boss Lake section near Salida, 

Colorado. 

• Prospector Gulch Reroute on the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest. This final year 

of new construction resulted in nine miles of new construction of difficult, remote, hand-built trail in the 

remote Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. 

• Hancock Lake New Construction: New trail construction to relocate the trail from approximately three 

miles of road onto approximately four miles of new single-track trail in the remote Sawatch Mountains of 

the Salida Ranger District near Buena Vista, Colorado. 

• Logout of major blowdown in the Weminuche Wilderness: The 55-mile stretch of the CDT from Wolf 

Creek Pass to Squaw Pass in the Weminuche Wilderness has been devastated by Spruce Beetle 

(Dendroctonus rufipennis) over the last eight years. There are several sections along this 55-mile stretch of 

trail, which are impassable by stock but in 2022 this area was cleared for the public to travel this popular 

section of trail. 

• Developed new project submission, accomplishment, and management dashboard for all CDT projects 

nationwide. This new tool is accessible to all agencies (NPS, BLM & USFS) as well as partners and the 

public 

• Finally, volunteer stewardship was back up to pre-pandemic levels. Although volunteer efforts are still 

happening at the time of this report, in 2022 the CDT received over 35,400 hours of volunteer stewardship.

Florida National Scenic Trail

The Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) consists of a 1,500-mile planning corridor stretching from Big Cypress 

National Preserve in the Everglades National Park to Gulf Islands National Seashore in the panhandle of Florida.

Currently, 1,127 miles of certified FNST exist, with roughly 400 miles of gaps in the trail. Partners include the

Florida Trail Association, Framing Our Community, National Park Service (NPS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Florida Forest Service, Florida State Parks, and other agencies and organizations.

The goals of the Florida National Scenic Trail Five-Year Strategic Plan82 are to promote connections, complete the 

trail, maintain sustainable management, and engage/encourage strategic partnerships of a diverse nature to manage, 

promote and complete the trail. In 2022, FNST-volunteers maintained 90 percent of the trail, contributing 12,638 

hours. The Forest Service, together with Florida Trail Coalition partners, continue to carry out the goals of the 

Florida National Scenic Trail Five-Year Strategic Plan by encouraging partnerships and maintain the trails in a 

sustainable way. 

82 https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd601682.pdf
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In 2022 the FNST program successfully partnered with state, Federal, non-profit and youth organizations to 

accomplish several critical infrastructure projects along the partner managed and National Forest system lands of the 

Florida Trail. These multi-agency, partner, and volunteer projects addressed safety, access, and deferred 

maintenance throughout the state of Florida. Thousands of volunteer hours, seven challenge cost share agreements, 

and collaborative support through land managing agencies can be highlighted through just a few significant projects 

summarized here. In addition to the projects below, FNST and Florida Trail Association staff completed a trail-wide 

spatial inventory of all the Florida Trailheads, this ArcGIS Online (AGOL) based inventory will streamline future 

maintenance needs and priorities. We also expanded the Gateway Community and Junior Explorer programs by 

adding several new partner communities in Florida and publishing Spanish language Explorer guides.

Infrastructure and Deferred Maintenance:

Forest System: 

• On the Apalachicola District the FNST program together with two non-profit partners undertook a largescale deferred maintenance project by elevating an 80-foot bridge by three feet to better adapt to changing 

water levels at the bridge site. The structure was reinforced, cleaned, painted, and new decking applied. 

State and Non-profit Partners: 

• The Forest Service established an agreement with our state partner, the Florida Fish and Wildlife 

Conservation Commission (FWCC) to replace three bridges along the FNST on state lands. Two of the 

structures were completed with an all-volunteer effort through two non-profit organizations. Each of the 

bridges spanned 80 to 100 feet and were built to current bridge design standards. The third bridge will be 

completed in January 2023. 

• The FNST program partnered with the Florida Forest Service to complete the planning, design, resource 

compliance, permitting, and engineering for a 120-foot bridge on the FNST on state forest land. This 

structure will commence the construction phase in 2023. 

• Partnering with the Student Conservation Association and the Florida Trail Association we continued to 

address the aftermath of hurricane impacts on state lands managed by the Northwest Florida Water 

Management District. Projects included debris removal and repairs to over 150 foot of minor infrastructure 

on the FNST as well as seven miles of trail rehabilitation in an area devasted by hurricanes. 

Federal Partner: 

• The FNST program has made steady progress in the implementation of a Natural Resource Damage 

Assessment grant, funded from the Deep-Water Horizon oil spill, to construct a series of boardwalks and 

bridges on the FNST in St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. This multi-agency and partner effort will close a gap in 

the Florida Trail and provide a unique opportunity to access the Big Bend Coastline of Florida. Resource 

work and design planning is in progress.

Nez Perce National Historic Trail

In 1986, Congress acknowledged the significance of the Nez Perce Conflict of 1877 by establishing the 1,170-mile

Nez Perce National Historic Trail (NPNHT). With the cooperation of the State Highway Department and County

Commissioners in the States of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, over 2,991 miles of roads are

designated as the NPNHT Auto Tour Route. The NPNHT includes a designated corridor encompassing 4,161 miles

of roads, trails and routes. The route roughly parallels the course travelled by the five Nez Perce bands during their

historic 1877 odyssey and offers opportunities for off-highway vehicles, biking, and snowmobile use. The NPNHT

has 79 historic sites and seven high potential route segments which have historic tread from 1877 or were prehistoric 

travel routes. The NPNHT is currently revising its Comprehensive Plan for trail administration and management.

Partners include the Nez Perce Trail Foundation, Nez Perce Appaloosa Horse Club, the Idaho Chapter of the Lewis

and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, the Wallowa Homeland Interpretive Center, the Josephy Center for Art and 

Culture, the Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust, Friends of the Southern Nez Perce Trail, and the Montana Natural 

History Center, plus Federal agencies, and Tribes.

In 2022, flooding and fires hindered trail maintenance efforts compared to previous years. NPNHT accomplishments 

for the fiscal year include:
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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• Through the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE) Act the NezClear National Forest, the Nez Perce Tribe, and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes gathered elder interview and 

returned Nez Perce place names to key sites along the trail. 

• Two state parks and a city park, an historic mission, and two Bitterroot National Forest sites worked to 

create Agents of Discovery Digital/Virtual Reality Missions. 

• Working with Forest Service Northern Region, developed a Challenge Cost Share Agreement with the 

Bitter Root Cultural Heritage Trust to establish a new trail-wide nonprofit support group, qá anin ‘ískit

(trail stewards). 

• Wallowa Land Trust has gained 34 acres at the south end of Wallowa Lake state park in Oregon, Chief 

Joseph village and a fishing site.

Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail

The 2,650-mile Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) follows the crest of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade 

Mountain ranges from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. The PCT crosses 25 national 

forests, seven BLM field offices, six NPS units, five national monuments, and 48 designated wilderness areas. More 

than one-half of the PCT is contained in designated wilderness, and the trail crosses 16 Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Partners include the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), American Conservation Experience (ACE), Student 

Conservation Experience (SCA), Washington Trails Association, Pacific Northwest Trail Association, Northwest 

Youth Corps, Tahoe Rim Trail Association, Washington Conservation Corps, Backcountry Horsemen of California, 

Oregon, Washington, and many other organizations. 

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) awarded $2.5 million in 2022 to support PCT deferred trail 

maintenance in Oregon and Washington. The project will be executed through agreements with PCTA and other 

partners to complete trail maintenance utilizing corps crews and local volunteers. GAOA awarded $4.2 million in 

2021 to manage deferred maintenance on the PCT in California reached 18 percent completion with 13,200 partner 

hours worked (PCTA, SCA, ACE, and volunteers) and over 175 miles maintained thus far. Project staffing was 

hired to support the administration of the GAOA project. 

The PCT Foundation Document was released to the public in March 2022 and acts as an interagency guiding 

document that aggregates the legislative history, legal and policy requirements, special mandates, administrative 

commitments, and the Comprehensive Management Plan. It documents the nature and purposes of the Pacific Crest 

National Scenic Trail and what makes it significant, and it identifies fundamental resources and values. 

This year was a success in rebuilding PCT engagement programs close to pre-COVID levels while addressing 

increased visitor use on public lands and on-going impacts from catastrophic fires and fire restoration efforts. The 

volunteer Trailhead Host programs on the Cleveland and Inyo National Forests resulted in over 3,200 public 

contacts and education in areas with high recreation use. In 2022, 7,800 long-distance permits were issued, reaching 

pre-COVID levels. To continue better understanding visitor use management, academic research was funded in 

locations along the Trail that are experiencing high visitor use and/or having sensitive resources along the Trail. The 

PCTA and other trail partners provided fire closure information, assessed damage and facilitated repairs to the Trail 

as it was impacted by the fires and subsequent suppression efforts. 

In 2022, project planning efforts continued including: two Forest Plan revisions, five Travel Management Subpart C 

(over snow travel) plans, congressionally mandated Big Bear Land Exchange trail relocation, Sky River trail 

relocation, California High Speed Rail proposal, Glacier Peak Wilderness deferred PCT maintenance and several 

recreation development projects. Several land acquisitions are in process to protect the lands along the Trail; the 

Picayune Lake project on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest was completed protecting 1.2 miles of Trail. The PCT 

program continues to collaborate with wilderness managers in the Sierra Nevada on visitor use management 

concerns along the John Muir Trail 170-mile overlap with the PCT.

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT) travels through some of the most remarkable and diverse terrain 

in the Northwest along its 1,200-mile journey from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean, through Montana, 

Idaho, and Washington. The trail’s complex land ownership includes three national parks, seven national forests, six 

Washington State parks, state forests in Idaho and Washington, short segments within the Colville Reservation and 

Swinomish Reservation, and other lands. Many trail segments are currently co-located along open roads or 

motorized trails. Easements are lacking across numerous parcels of state, local government, and private lands, and 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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are needed to secure a continuous route for public use. In 2022, the Forest Service began developing a trail-wide 

land acquisition and protection plan that will be part of the PNT comprehensive plan. It will describe and 

recommend a range of tools to secure public access across the trail and protect lands and key resources along the 

trail corridor.

Partners include the Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA), various Back Country Horsemen chapters from 

across the trail, Washington Trails Association, University of Montana, Northwest Youth Corps, Montana 

Conservation Corps, National Experienced Workforce Solutions, and other organizations. The following highlights 

from 2022 showcase the value these partnerships bring to the PNT and the benefits they provide to the public.

• PNTA made a major push to restore access to the PNT across the Pasayten Wilderness in the Methow 

Valley Ranger District of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest—one of the 15 Trail Maintenance Priority 

Areas identified under the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act. PNTA's conservation corps 

crews spent 14.5 crew-weeks in this portion of the Pasayten Wilderness and removed 1,434 trees that had 

fallen over 57 miles within the PNT. 

• PNTA continued to improve trail information, interpretation, and education for PNT users. New 

interpretive kiosk content was installed along the trail in partnership with trailside communities, the trailwide navigational map set for the PNT was updated with page-by-page land acknowledgements to inform 

trail users about indigenous lands. Also, additional bear safety information was added to the maps and the 

association's website to continue to educate trail users on how to enjoy the PNT safely and responsibly. 

• For the sixth year, a University of Montana research team collected trail use monitoring data for sites along 

the PNT in Montana and Idaho. In addition to providing monitoring results to land managers and interested 

Tribes and stakeholders, the Forest Service and the university are creating a new story map to share results 

with the public. 

The Forest Service made progress on key milestones toward completing the trail-wide comprehensive plan for the 

PNT. In August 2022, the Forest Service invited consultation with more than 20 affected Tribes on development of 

the comprehensive plan and held an intertribal informational webinar. In September 2022, the Forest Service kicked 

off the scoping period for the comprehensive plan, soliciting public review and comments on the scoping document. 

The comprehensive plan and associated environmental analysis will be completed by December 31, 2023.

The Forest Service has completed recruitment for the PNT advisory council and anticipates consulting with the 

advisory council in 2023 once members have been appointed to the council. The applicants represent a broad range 

of perspectives – including experience representing Tribes, underserved communities, people of color, and people 

with disabilities – and geographic balance across the trail.

Other National Scenic and Historic Trails

The Forest Service coordinates management with other Federal public land agencies for an additional 15 NS&HTs 

totaling more than 6,700 miles. These trails include Appalachian, California, Camino Real Tejas, Camino Tierra

Adentro, De Anza, Ice Age, Iditarod, Lewis and Clark, Mormon Pioneer, North Country, Old Spanish, Oregon,

Overmountain Victory, Pony Express, Santa Fe, and Trail of Tears.

Table FS-75. Funding for National Scenic and Historic Trails (thousands of dollars)

Name 2022

Trails 

Funding

 2022

Salaries

and 

Expenses

2022 

Total

2023

Trails 

Funding

 2023

Salaries

and 

Expenses

2023 

Total

2023 Trail

Funding

2024

Salaries

and 

Expenses

2024 

Total

Arizona $445 $135 $580 $377 $135 $512 $377 $135 $512

Continental Divide 2,399 350 2,749 1,340 350 1,690 1,340 350 1,690

Florida 1,753 247 2,000 1,070 247 1,317 1,070 247 1,317

Nez Perce 635 190 825 430 190 620 430 190 620

Pacific Crest 2,409 350 2,759 1,496 350 1,846 1,496 350 1,846

Pacific Northwest 945 155 1,100 700 155 855 700 155 855

All others 1,487 - 1,487 1,079 - 1,079 1,079 - 1,079

Total 10,073 1,427 11,500 6,492 1,427 7,919 6,492 1,427 7,919
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Table FS-76. 2022 National Scenic and Historic Trails Accomplishments and Partner Contributions

Name Volunteer 

Hours

Volunteer Inkind 

Contributions

Non-Cash 

Contributions

Miles of Trail 

Maintained

Miles of Trail 

Improved/ 

Constructed

Acres 

Acquired

Major 

Structures 

Constructed

Arizona 18,753 535,210 135,119 126 30 - 6

Continental Divide 30,228 862,707 - 1,750 27 - 5

Florida 12,094 345,162 13,000 1,008 1 - 1

Nez Perce 29,000 890,000 250,880 68 6 34 8

Pacific Crest 70,970 2,025,484 70,729 1,245 28 320 1

Pacific Northwest 5,804 165,646 124,570 377 7 - -

Total 166,849 4,824,209 343,418 4,574 99 354 21
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL REIMBURSEMENT

Background

This special exhibit is required by P.L. 110-161, page 121, Administrative Provisions, which directed:

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any appropriations or funds available to the Forest Service not 

to exceed $500,000 may be used to reimburse the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Department of

Agriculture, for travel and related expenses incurred as a result of OGC assistance or participation

requested by the Forest Service at meetings, training sessions, management reviews, land purchase

negotiations and similar non-litigation related matters. Future budget justifications for both the Forest

Service and the Department of Agriculture should clearly display the sums previously transferred and the

requested funding transfers.

Overview

The USDA Office of General Counsel bills the Forest Service quarterly for non-litigation travel and related costs.

The table below reflects billings received to date. 

Table FS-77. Office of General Counsel Reimbursement 2020 through 2023 (dollars in thousands)

FY 2021 Actual 

Reimbursement

FY 2022 Actual

Reimbursement

FY 2023 Planned

Reimbursement

FY 2024 Planned 

Reimbursement

$0 $0 $7,500 $7,500
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-232

PRESCRIBED FIRE

Background

This exhibit addresses the requirement from the joint explanatory statement of Division G – Department of the 

Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 2022:

The Service is directed to report in the annual budget submission on prescribed fire activities by region for 

the previous fiscal year.

Overview

Hazardous fuels treatments are the intentional removal or manipulation of vegetation to change fire behavior to 

reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire and protect communities, infrastructure, watersheds, critical habitat, and 

traditional Tribal lands. Treatments generally include thinning, mastication, and prescribed fire. A prescribed fire is 

a fire intentionally lit by forest managers to achieve desirable outcomes, such as removing excessive vegetation and 

dead and down fuels, to improve wildlife habitat, recycle soil nutrients, and reduce the risk of uncharacteristic 

wildfire to communities and watersheds. Prescribed fires are carefully planned and implemented to provide for a 

safe and controllable fire, while achieving the desired effects. Additional information about the Forest Service’s use 

of prescribed fire is available online.1

2022

In 2022, the Forest Service treated nearly 1.7 million acres of National Forest System lands with prescribed fire, 

exceeding the 10-year average of 1.4 million acres annually. Favorable weather created early opportunities for 

burning in many areas in 2022, and the Agency used a coordinated, intentional, and national approach to mobilize 

the workforce to conduct prescribed burns. In May, the agency paused all prescribed fires to assess protocols and 

establish clear and effective guidelines for prescribed fire use. When the pause was lifted, the agency released the 

“National Prescribed Fire Program Review”2 and conditionally resumed its prescribed fire program. The 

recommendations and actions identified in the review provide a starting point for continuous improvement in how 

we plan and conduct prescribed burning. Although this pause impacted the use of prescribed fire for reducing 

wildfire risk, the agency deemed it an important and necessary trade-off to ensure public safety in the future and 

strengthen standards for the program. Nonetheless, prescribed fire accounted for 57 percent of all hazardous fuels 

accomplishments in 2022. The regional breakout of 2022 hazardous fuels and prescribed fire accomplishments are 

shown in Table FS-78. 

Successful prescribed burns require specific weather conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and wind. The 

Southern Region performs the most prescribed burns because it is generally snow-free throughout the year with 

intermittent drying between rain events, which offers many opportunities throughout the year to conduct prescribed 

burns. The warm, moist conditions in the southeast cause vegetation to grow quickly, requiring treatment every two 

to four years to maintain a desirable level of fuels and avoid build-up. The northeastern forests are also fire adapted 

and require prescribed fire treatments every two to six years, while the dry forest types in western forests require 

prescribed fire every 10 to 15 years. Alaskan forests around Anchorage are fire adapted, but these stand-replacing 

forests are not well suited to prescribed fire. The Agency has been working to increase the pace and scale of 

prescribed fire by using additional funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction 

Act to increase the capacity through direct hire, partnerships, contracts, and cooperating agencies. All funding 

sources, including BIL and the Disaster Supplemental, were used to achieve 2022 accomplishments.

Table FS-78. Forest Service Hazardous Fuels (HF) Acres Accomplished on NFS lands in 2022. 

Region

All Fuels 

Treatments

(acres)a 

Prescribed Fire 

Treatments 

(acres)b 

Percent of 

Prescribed Fire

Treatments (%)

01 – Northern ................................................................... 222,000 28,000 13%

02 – Rocky Mountain....................................................... 159,000 35,000 22%

03 – Southwestern............................................................ 203,000 111,000 55%

04 – Intermountain........................................................... 257,000 31,000 12%

05 – Pacific Southwest..................................................... 210,000 30,000 14%

06 – Pacific Northwest..................................................... 344,000 60,000 17%

08 – Southern ................................................................... 1,352,000 1,288,000 95%

09 – Eastern...................................................................... 183,000 87,000 48%
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Region

All Fuels 

Treatments

(acres)a 

Prescribed Fire 

Treatments 

(acres)b 

Percent of 

Prescribed Fire

Treatments (%)

10 – Alaska ...................................................................... 3,000 150 5%

Total ............................................................................... 2,933,000 1,670,150 57%

a Data from Forest Service Activity Tracking System (FACTS) on 10/31/22; includes wildfire acres and does not include State 

Fire Assistance treatments.

b Data from FACTS on 10/31/22; does not include brush disposal (burning debris from logging operations). 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTING

Background

This exhibit addresses requirements of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (as amended, 16 U.S.C 6591c):

The Forest Service shall report annually to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 

Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives on: 1) the status of development, 

execution, and administration of contracts under subsection (b); 2) the specific accomplishments that have 

resulted; and 3) the role of local communities in development of agreements or contract plans.

Overview

Stewardship contracts and agreements manage natural resources through implementation of ecosystem restoration 

projects. Stewardship contracts support new and emerging markets by using forest products removed through 

restoration activities, including woody biomass for energy and sustaining traditional markets. Stewardship 

contracting helps the Forest Service achieve land and resource management goals while promoting closer publicprivate working relationships by using the value of timber or other forest products to offset the cost of restoration 

activities. Stewardship contracting selection criteria include capability, use of local workforce, creation of jobs, and 

price. The intent is to create green jobs, promote a diverse forest products industry, and support sustainable 

communities and the forest contractor infrastructure needed to perform critical restoration work.

If the offset value of timber or other forest products from stewardship sales exceeds the value of resource 

improvement treatments, those receipts are retained and deposited in the Stewardship Contracting Fund and are 

available, until expended, for other authorized stewardship projects. Stewardship contracts are awarded on a bestvalue basis and may be used for:

• Maintaining or decommissioning roads and trails to restore or maintain water quality;

• Improving soil productivity, habitat for wildlife and fisheries, or other resources;

• Prescribed fires to improve the composition, structure, condition, and health of timber stands or wildlife 

habitat;

• Removing vegetation or other activities to promote healthy forests, reduce fire hazards, or achieve other 

land management objectives;

• Restoring and maintaining watersheds; and

• Controlling noxious and invasive weeds and reestablishing native vegetation.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) amended the stewardship authority to increase 

agreements and contracts from 10 to 20 years in locations meeting certain conditions. The Act also allows the cost 

of cancellation ceilings to be allocated in economically viable stages, relieving the forest unit of a large obligation in 

a single (first) year. The agency has operationalized the 20-year stewardship contracting authority by extending the 

current executed agreements beyond 10 years and by entering into new 20-year stewardship agreements. Currently, 

the Forest Service has 15 agreements over 10 years in length. Some work and project development in other regions 

were also delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while other regions continue to evaluate the use of this authority. 

The Washington Office completed and issued stewardship directives and is in the process of updating guidance on 

the implementation of these new authorities.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law P.L. 117-58 November 15, 2021, Section 40804(b)(1) ECOSYSTEM 

RESTORATION specifically addressed contracts and agreements exceeding 10,000 acre projects on Federal lands. 

In 2022 contracts and agreements were in developmental phases with multiple partners across the nation. No 

completed work was available for this report for 2022. 

The Forest Service continued to inform stakeholders about stewardship contracting through brochures, local field 

trips, webinars for partners and training opportunities. These efforts ensure a common understanding of stewardship 

contracting and facilitates its use in attaining land management goals while meeting local and rural community 

needs. To improve agency understanding and use of this authority, the Forest Service contracted to expand the 

national stewardship contracting and agreements training. In 2022, stewardship contracting training courses 

continued to be conducted on a virtual platform to capitalize on the virtual environment. The Forest Service also 

developed a new, smaller structured stewardship agreement training focused on partner understanding and technical 

training. This training will give partners a better understanding of the processes and procedures used within the 

agency for the reporting and accounting of project accomplishments. 
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A third-party monitoring effort is underdevelopment through agreements with Oregon State University and the 

University of Oregon. The universities will assess the application of the stewardship authority across the Forest 

Service using the university’s social and analytical scientist. The process will use a 360-degree assessment involving 

contractors, partners and internal forest service personnel along with data from national databases. Results of the 

monitoring effort will be available at the end of 2024. 

Specific Accomplishments

The below table displays accomplishments between 2018 and 2022. In many cases, multiple land management 

objectives are met through a single treatment activity. For example, a hazardous fuels reduction treatment can also 

improve wildlife habitat. These accomplishments not only result in ecosystem benefits, but also in forest products 

for manufacturing and energy production and the creation of jobs contributing to sustainable communities.

Table FS-79. Actual Stewardship Contracting Accomplishments (2018 to 2022) 

Measure 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Acres of forest vegetation established........................................................ 3,591 3,624 4,678 2,715 6,988*

Acres of forest vegetation improved.......................................................... 24,938 33,269 21,759 12,692 18,655*

Acres of noxious weeds and invasive plant treatments.............................. 3,879 5,977 9,103 4,951 2,607*

Acres of wildlife habitat restored or improved .......................................... 33,693 49,042 79,009 83,625 10,360

Miles of stream habitat restored or enhanced............................................. 110 118 38 130 46

Miles of roads decommissioned................................................................. 14 2 12 - -

Volume of timber sold (million board feet (MMBF))................................ 754 859 888 670 696

Green tons of biomass made available for energy production ................... 229,958 276,236 161,379 87,271 149,744

Acres of hazardous fuels treated to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires 

(non- WUI)............................................................................................. 31,695 49,574 46,360 52,573 52,686*

Acres of wildland-urban interface (WUI) high-priority hazardous fuels 

treated ..................................................................................................... 163,332 83,784 34,984 245,468 100,818*

Stewardship contracts and agreements contributing to watersheds in 

fully functioning condition ..................................................................... 5 2 - 1 7

*Acres reported are completed acres and represent the change of reporting from accomplishment in previous reporting to work 

complete.

**Data sourced from geo-enabled Performance Accountability System (ePAS) Reports. Data sort: “Initiative code of 

Stewardship” timber Volume Source: PTSTAR reports.

The below table shows the acres awarded, number of contracts or agreements awarded, and volume awarded from

2018 to 2022. The number of contracts or agreements awarded includes those where forest products areexchanged 

for service activities as well as those where excess stewardship contracting funds are used for activities without the

exchange of forest products.

Table FS-80. Acres Awarded, Number of Contract or Agreements Awarded, and Volume Awarded

Measure 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Acres Awarded............................................................................ 161,947 129,710 70,930 165,448 186,417

Number of Contracts and Agreements ........................................ 266 150 156 141 138

Volume Awarded (thousand board feet (MBF)).......................... 793,374 859,060 888,000 670,399 696,583

Local Communities

Collaboration with local communities, from development through implementation and monitoring, is a key 

component of successful stewardship contracting and provides a sense of community ownership in the project, a 

better understanding by communities of natural resource issues, and increased public support. Collaboration also 

allows the Forest Service to tailor stewardship offerings that address local issues, needs, and capabilities. In 2021, 

the agency issued its new policy on stewardship contracting and agreements. This new manual lays the foundation 

for the successful implementation of the stewardship authorities. The corresponding handbook was completed and 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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issued January 4, 2022 and an updated annual End Results Stewardship Contracting training incorporated the new 

policy that 125 students participated in the virtual training environment. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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UNLIQUIDATED OBLIGATIONS

Background

This exhibit is included to provide a display of Forest Service unliquidated obligation (ULO) balances.

Overview

Unliquidated obligations are defined as the balance remaining from orders placed, contract and other binding

agreements awarded, or services rendered after making any payments or processing de-obligations. The following

table contains the status of Forest Service unliquidated obligation balances in prior fiscal years for appropriated

funds (regular and emergency) as of September 30, 2022. 

Table FS-81. Forest Service Status of ULO Balances in Prior Fiscal Years as of September 30, 2022 (thousands of 

dollars)

Item FY 2019

and Prior FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 Total

Forest Service Operations:

Salaries and Expenses................................................. - $62 $1,435 $51,707 $53,204

Facilities Maintenance and Leases.............................. - - 18,062 29,077 47,139

Information Technology.............................................. - 6 27,190 148,148 175,344

Organizational Services............................................... - - 21,699 48,931 70,630

Total, Forest Service Operations.............................. - 68 68,386 277,863 346,317

Forest and Rangeland Research:

Salaries and Expenses................................................. - - 186 13,073 13,259

Forest and Rangeland Research .................................. $10,031 19,834 21,360 45,903 97,128

Forest Inventory and Analysis..................................... 934 3,141 9,212 18,123 31,410

National Fire Plan ....................................................... 58 - - - 58

Joint Fire Science ........................................................ 875 1,963 2,360 4,000 9,198

Forest Products............................................................ 1 - - - 1

Forest and Rangeland Research – Other ..................... 229 253 - - 482

Disaster Funding ......................................................... 85 882 - 6,782 7,749

Total, Forest and Rangeland Research ..................... 12,213 26,073 33,118 87,881 159,285

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry:

Salaries and Expenses................................................. - - 112 3,226 3,338

Landscape Scale Restoration....................................... 11,972 9,464 11,536 12,389 45,361

FHM - Federal Lands.................................................. 3,979 4,028 4,312 11,189 23,508

FHM - Cooperative Lands........................................... 9,434 11,167 16,702 23,974 61,277

Working Forest Lands................................................. 5,111 5,498 7,094 9,841 27,544

Forest Legacy Program ............................................... 78,650 28,878 - - 107,528

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation...... 857 623 2,265 3,102 6,847

Urban and Community Forestry.................................. 8,867 11,775 24,351 30,443 75,436

International Programs and Trade Compliance........... 1,339 1,781 7,652 14,371 25,143

State Fire Capacity Grants........................................... 36,014 39,844 57,455 63,871 197,184

Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants................................... 3,218 5,509 13,596 18,022 40,345

State and Private Forestry – Other .............................. 6,646 492 1,361 17,846 26,345

Disaster Funding ......................................................... 3,419 - - 33,726 37,145

Total, State, Private, and Tribal Forestry.................. 169,506 119,059 146,436 242,000 677,001

National Forest System:

Salaries and Expenses................................................. - - 4,110 89,697 93,807

Integrated Resource Restoration Pilot......................... 2,609 - - - 2,609
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item FY 2019

and Prior FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 Total

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration............... 4,864 4,991 5,292 19,252 34,399

Land Management Planning, Assessment and 

Monitoring................................................................ 6,155 6,091 3,512 11,314 27,072

Hazardous Fuels.......................................................... 42,249 52,400 78,180 122,638 295,467

Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness......................... 4,440 8,923 8,005 23,736 45,104

Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat Management............... 3,839 4,573 5,783 12,336 26,531

Grazing Management.................................................. 1,333 749 1,273 1,779 5,134

Forest Products............................................................ 10,739 9,504 8,109 15,221 43,573

Vegetation and Watershed Management....................

11,003 13,849 12,987 20,798 58,637

Minerals and Geology Management ........................... 4,686 2,378 3,369 8,083 18,516

Land Use Authorization and Access........................... 1,759 1,718 1,443 4,228 9,148

Law Enforcement Operations...................................... 1,123 2,214 2,482 5,877 11,696

National Forest System – Other .................................. 2,790 2,812 - - 5,602

Disaster Funding ......................................................... 6,955 4,682 - 189,032 200,669

Total, National Forest System.................................. 104,544 114,884 134,545 523,991 877,964

Capital Improvement and Maintenance:

Facilities...................................................................... 5,495 22,838 20,530 21,976 70,839

Roads........................................................................... 4,858 7,563 11,455 35,225 59,101

Trails........................................................................... 3,631 2,582 2,894 7,997 17,104

Deferred Maintenance and Infrastructure 

Improvement ............................................................ 104 - - - 104

Legacy Roads and Trails............................................. 251 - - 2,989 3,240

Capital Improvement and Maintenance, Other ........... 543 513 - - 1,056

Disaster Funding ......................................................... 9,905 11,316 - 20,716 41,937

Total, Capital Improvement and Maintenance ......... 24,787 44,812 34,879 88,903 193,381

Land Acquisition:

Land Acquisition......................................................... 5,472 1,056 - - 6,528

Acquisition of Land for National Forest Special Acts 149 - 450 664 1,263

Acquisition of Lands to Complete Land Exchanges... 86 - - - 86

Total, Land Acquisition............................................ 5,707 1,056 450 664 7,877

Other Appropriations:

Range Betterment Fund............................................... 147 107 259 151 664

Management of National Forest Lands for 

Subsistence Uses...................................................... 272 128 267 837 1,504

Total, Other Appropriations..................................... 419 235 526 988 2,168

Wildland Fire Management:

Salaries and Expenses................................................. - - 6,088 55,590 61,678

Preparedness................................................................ 30,122 7,839 8,220 37,157 83,338

Suppression ................................................................. 5,902 2,194 39,238 537,401 584,735

Hazardous Fuels.......................................................... 14,305 - - - 14,305

National Fire Capacity ................................................ 5,430 - - - 5,430

Rural Fire Capacity ..................................................... 814 - - - 814

Wildland Fire Management – Other............................ 1,875 1,664 7 29 3,575

Disaster Funding ......................................................... - 1,361 - - 1,361
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item FY 2019

and Prior FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 Total

Total, Wildland Fire Management ........................... 58,448 13,058 53,553 630,177 755,236

Total, Forest Service .................................................... 375,624 319,245 471,893 1,852,467 3,019,229
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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USDA WORKING CAPITAL FUND, DEPARTMENTAL SHARED COST PROGRAMS, AND E-GOVERNMENT

Background

This exhibit is included to provide a four-year summary of USDA Working Capital Fund (WCF) and USDA Shared 

Cost Programs actual and estimated fees to the Forest Service for centralized services, as well as actual and 

estimated charges to the Forest Service that contribute to E-Government initiatives.

USDA Working Capital Fund

Overview

The USDA WCF (7 U.S.C. 2235) provides services that the Secretary, with the approval of the Director of the 

Office of Management and Budget, determines are performed more effectively as central services rather than as 

separate services within USDA agencies. The USDA WCF is used to finance services to USDA and non-USDA83

agencies on a centralized, fee-for-service basis. The USDA WCF does not receive appropriated funds; all costs are 

reimbursed in full. The USDA WCF finances activity centers under five functional categories: Administration, 

Communications, Financial Management, Information Technology, and Correspondence Management. 

Pursuant to the terms contained in general provisions in annual appropriations to USDA, agency administrators must 

authorize billings to their agency for these services. Therefore, the Chief of the Forest Service (or a duly appointed 

representative) must sign an agreement at the beginning of the fiscal year authorizing billing for services provided 

and supply the appropriate accounting data.

The Forest Service acts as one of the overseers in the review of cost estimates for the National Finance Center 

through its participation in the WCF Executive Committee, a body comprised of representatives from various USDA 

agencies. The Executive Committee is charged with making budget recommendations and advising the 

Department’s Chief Financial Officer as to the financial effectiveness of the WCF. The Forest Service works with 

the Department’s Chief Financial Officer to review activities included in the Greenbook/Shared Cost Programs and 

the basis for any costs attributed to the Forest Service.

Table FS-82. Forest Service actual and estimated fees made to the USDA WCF between 2021 and 2024 (thousands 

of dollars)

Item 2021

Actual

2022

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Working Capital Fund:

Administrative Services:

Materiel Management Service ............................................. $928 $874 $712 $748

Mail and Reproduction Services.......................................... 820 482 506 519

Integrated Procurement Systems.......................................... 8,235 8,637 8,543 8,747

Procurement Operations Services........................................ 126 73 90 101

Human Resources Enterprise Management Systems........... 1,154 1,064 997 918

Subtotal, Administrative Services..................................... 11,263 11,130 10,848 11,032

Communications:

Creative Media and Broadcast Center ................................. 496 434 492 590

Finance and Management:

National Finance Center ...................................................... 8,116 8,708 8,302 8,636

Financial Management Systems .......................................... - 575 313 314

Internal Control Support Services........................................ 489 382 299 307

Financial Management Support Services............................. 47,085 45,341 45,450 48,855

Subtotal, Finance and Management.................................. 55,690 55,006 54,364 58,111

Information Technology:

AskUSDA Contact Center................................................... - - 1,102 1,145

Client Experience Center..................................................... 23,159 56,884 53,147 54,606

83 Services to non-USDA agencies help reduce USDA’s share of fixed costs for WCF-supported services.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual

2022

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Department Administration Information Technology Office ... 10 1,123 12 12

Digital Infrastructure Services Center ................................. 41,791 51,691 39,534 37,695

Enterprise Cybersecurity Services....................................... - - 8,718 9,093

Enterprise Data and Analytics Services............................... - - 1,497 1,549

Enterprise Network Services ............................................... 16,940 15,172 29,966 29,035

Subtotal, Information Technology .................................... 81,900 124,870 133,976 133,134

Correspondence Management Services:

Personnel Document Security.............................................. - - 1,547 1,657

Office of the Executive Secretariat...................................... 509 401 490 512

Subtotal, Correspondence Management Services............. 509 401 2,037 2,170

Total, Working Capital Fund .............................................. 149,858 191,841 201,717 205,037

USDA WCF Centralized Services

Administration

USDA WCF Administration activities are managed under the Assistant Secretary for Administration and includes 

the following: 

Materiel Management Service Center provides on-demand forms and publications acquisition, management, 

warehousing, and distribution; excess personal property accountability, reuse, sales, and disposal; and office and 

general supply acquisition, receipt and shipment of parcels, warehousing, and sales.

Mail and Reproduction Services is responsible for managing and directing centralized printing and copier systems; 

mailing list systems; packagei delivery and chauffeur services; and staff support systems related to financial 

management, program analysis, and administration.

Integrated Procurement Systems provides modernized and integrated Department-wide procurement automation 

tools and systems.

Human Resources Enterprise System Management provides modernized, cost-effective, and standardized 

Department-wide human resource solutions that support the strategic management of human capital.

Procurement Operations Division provides a variety of contracting support services to USDA agencies.

Communications

USDA WCF Communications includes the Creative Media and Broadcast Center, which provides creative design, 

radio and video production studios, and multimedia development and maintenance to USDA agencies.

Financial Management

USDA WCF Financial Management is managed by USDAs Office of the Chief Financial Officer and includes the 

following: 

National Finance Center processes payroll for Federal employees and provides payroll-related data management and 

reconciliation for Office of Personnel Management government programs mostly related to employee health benefits 

and insurance.

Financial Shared Services administers financial management applications to USDA agencies and is responsible for 

providing accounting services, administrative payments processing and disbursement certification, 

intragovernmental payment and collection reconciliation, Treasury fund balances, and Treasury reporting

Internal Control Support Services provides services to USDA agencies related to internal control compliance efforts, 

such as annual financial reporting, efficiencies to administrative and financial processes, and information 

technology.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Financial Management Support Services administers financial management, including fiscal reporting and budget 

execution, to USDA WCF activity centers and staff offices.

Information Technology

USDA WCF Information Technology is managed by USDAs Office of the Chief Information Officer and includes 

the following: 

AskUSDA Contact Center provides a contact center that answers general inquiries from the public using trained 

agents and self-service options. 

Client Experience Center provides Department-wide fee-for-service activities related to information technology 

operations, security, and technical support services.

Digital Infrastructure Services Center provides hosting services, workforce development services, program 

management and software engineering, and telecommunications management for USDA agencies and non-USDA 

customers.

Department Administration Information Technology Office provides centrally managed information technology 

solutions to USDA administrative and staff offices that adhere to functionality, accessibility, and compliance 

requirements of governing bodies and end-users. 

Enterprise Cybersecurity Services protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and information 

technology systems. 

Enterprise Data and Analytics Services provides Department-wide aggregated data in multiple dashboard and 

visualizations and provides a subset of users the ability to perform self-service analytics using the data. 

Enterprise Network Services provides Department-wide management, support, and compliance related to 

telecommunications services. 

Correspondence Management

USDA WCF Correspondence Management includes the Office of the Executive Secretariat, which manages the 

official correspondence and records of the Office of the Secretary, provides departmental records management, 

establishes departmental directives, and assists the Office of the Secretary with special projects.

Departmental Shared Cost Programs

Overview

Shared cost agreements may be entered into under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2263. This language authorizes the 

USDA to transfer funds from USDA agencies to pay for department-wide initiatives that benefit multiple USDA 

agencies. Forest Service shared cost transfers between 2020 and 2021, and estimated transfers between 2022 and 

2023, are detailed in the below table. 

Table FS-83. Forest Service transfers to USDA shared cost programs for 2021 through 2024 (thousands of dollars)

Item 2021

Actual

2022

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Department-Wide Shared Cost Programs:

Advisory Committee Liaison Services..................................... $267 $285 $313 $313

Agency Partnership Outreach................................................... 2,071 1,962 2,540 2,540

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility ......................... - - 677 677

Human Resources Priority Goals Program............................... 2 - 1,289 1,289

Intertribal Technical Assistance Network ................................ 1,022 1,079 1,124 1,124

Medical Services...................................................................... 126 144 202 202

National Capital Region Interpreting Services......................... 75 30 118 118

Office of Customer Experience................................................ 2,901 2,708 1,016 1,016

Personnel and Document Security Program............................. 640 667 - -

Physical Security...................................................................... 1,287 1,322 1,438 1,438

Security Detail.......................................................................... 1,384 1,400 1,638 1,638
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 2021

Actual

2022

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

Security Operations.................................................................. 1,944 1,927 2,227 2,227

Talent Group ............................................................................ - - 1,141 1,141

TARGET Center ...................................................................... 356 398 552 552

USDA Enterprise Data Analytics Services .............................. 1,631 1,366 - -

Total, Department-Wide Shared Cost Programs 13,706 13,288 14,275 14,275

Shared Cost Programs

Advisory Committee Liaison Services is managed by the USDAs Office of the Secretary and provides guidance and 

direction to USDA agencies on Advisory Committees and Boards. Costs to support this function and 

screening/selection of members are reimbursed from agencies to the Office of the Secretary.

Agency Partnership Outreach is managed by the USDAs Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement and 

supports multiple USDA partnership and outreach activities that benefit rural and underserved communities.

Honor Awards are sponsored by USDA’s Secretary and are USDA’s most prestigious honor, with a 70-year history 

of recognizing the Department’s greatest accomplishments.

Human Resources Self-Service Dashboard served84 as a single sign-on portal for multiple USDA human resources 

systems; and included an interface for calculating retirement benefits for USDA employees.

Intertribal Technical Assistance Network provides technical assistance and program access – in coordination with 

the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs – to American Indian and Alaskan Native tribal 

governments.

Medical Services provides preventative health measures (flu shots, health screening, nutritional principles, and 

fitness awareness) for USDA employees and contractors in the National Capital Region.

Office of Customer Experience is a Department-wide program targeted toward increasing efficiencies in customerfacing processes; simplifying the public’s access to USDA programs; and developing and improving practices that 

contribute to increased USDA employee accessibility, responsiveness, professionalism, and expertise to the public.

Personnel and Document Security85 is responsible for the protection of classified national security information by 

providing security clearance, training, policies, and guidance for USDA personnel.

Physical Security includes physical security, identity, credentialing, and access management.

Security Detail provides funding for the Secretary of Agriculture.

Security Operations provides Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP), training, and reenactment exercises to 

ensure USDA agencies can continue to provide critical essential functions during emergency situations. 

Technology and Accessible Resources Give Employment Today (TARGET) Center provides services related to 

improving the accessibility and experience of individuals with disabilities. 

USDA Enterprise Data Analytics Services provides access to data-driven, fact-based, customer-focused information 

that supports several administrative areas, including finance, human resources, information technology, 

procurement, property, fleet operations, and homeland security.

USDA E-Government (E-Gov)

Overview

The E-Government Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-347), signed into law December 17, 2002, established the Office 

of Electronic Government within the Office of Management and Budget; established a Chief Information Officers

84 Starting in 2021, the Human Resources Self-Service Dashboard no longer receives Departmental Shared Cost Program 

funding.

85 The Personnel Security and Classified National Security Information programs were consolidated into the Personnel and 

Document Security program in 2018.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-244

Council86; established an E-Government Fund87; and included provisions requiring the use of “Internet-based 

information technology to enhance citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes.”

Table FS-84. Forest Service contributions to E-Gov initiatives for 2021 through 2024 (thousands of dollars)

Item 2021

Actual

2022

Actual

2023 

Estimated

2024 

Estimated

E-Gov:

Budget Formulation and Execution Line of Business................. $28 $37 $34 $34

Disaster Assistance Improvement Plan ....................................... - - - -

Enterprise Human Resources Integration.................................... - 72 - -

E-Rulemaking ............................................................................. 41 51 45 37

E-Training ................................................................................... - - - -

Financial Management Line of Business .................................... 79 85 85 85

Geospatial Line of Business........................................................ 12 13 12 13

Benefits.gov ................................................................................ - - - -

Grants.gov................................................................................... 4 11 9 9

Human Resources Line of Business............................................ 90 90 93 93

Integrated Acquisition Environment ........................................... 739 193 238 212

Total, E-Gov ................................................................................. 993 552 516 483

USDA E-Gov Initiatives

USDA E-Gov initiatives, managed by the USDAs Office of the Chief Information Officer, provide efficient, costeffective electronic services and resources to USDA customers, partners, and personnel.

Budget Formulation and Execution Line of Business (LoB) collaborates with partner agencies on best practices for 

Federal budgeting (budget formulation, budget execution, and workforce planning).

E-Rulemaking is managed by the General Services Administration under the Program Management Office and is 

responsible for maintaining the Regulations.gov88 web site; a resource that provides regulatory materials to the 

public and promotes participation in the legislative process. 

Financial Management LoB provides financial management standards, requirements, tools, and services in support 

of USDAs financial activities.

Geospatial LoB provides geospatial-related services, applications, data, hardware, and software to agencies and 

partners to achieve mission goals.

Grants.gov manages the Grants.gov89 web site; a resource that publishes grant opportunities and application 

packages and provides forms and resources for applying for grants.

Hiring Assessment Tool provides resources designed to recruit and acquire talent to the Federal governments using 

various strategies.

Human Resource Management LoB is responsible for managing employee human resource information. 

86 The Chief Information Officers Council is responsible for “improving agency practices related to the design, acquisition, 

development, modernization, use, operation, sharing, and performance of Federal Government information resources” (Public 

Law 107-347 § 3603(d)). 87 The E-Government Fund is administered by the General Services Administration and is used to fund initiatives and lines of 

business that utilize the Internet and other electronic methods for delivering information and resources electronically to the 

public.

88 https://www.regulations.gov/ 89 https://www.grants.gov/
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Integrated Acquisition Environment offers services related to the Federal acquisition process and manages several 

acquisition systems.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-246

FY 2024 SPEND PLAN FOR BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (PUBLIC LAW 117- 58) 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) included the following administrative provision:

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 

Chief of the Forest Service, shall submit to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a detailed 

spend plan for the funds provided to the Forest Service in this title in this Act for fiscal year 2022, and for 

each fiscal year through 2026, as part of the annual budget submission of the President under section 1105(a) 

of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary shall submit a detailed spend plan for the funds provided to the 

Forest Service in this title in this Act for that fiscal year.

Forest Service Operations

Forest Service Operations receives BIL transfer funds from other Deputy Areas to support key shared services, 

salaries management, and administrative functions.

Table FS-85. Forest Service Operations BIL spend plan (dollars in thousands).

Item

2023 

Carryover

2024 

Appropriations

2024 

Transfers 

In

2024 

Transfers 

Out

2024 

Total 

Available

2024 

Obligations

2024 

Carryover

Information Technology and 

Centralized Processing .................... $34,990 - $37,272 - $72,262 $40,182 $32,080 

Organizational Services ..................... 36,559 - 26,945 - 63,504 24,759 38,745 

Salaries and Expenses........................ 36,312 - 7,345 - 43,657 25,181 18,476 

Total, Forest Service Operations.... 107,861 - 71,562 - 179,423 90,122 89,301 

Forest and Rangeland Research

The BIL provides the Forest Service an additional amount for Forest and Rangeland Research of $10 million. Of this 

total, $2 million is appropriated each fiscal year starting in 2022 through 2026. Each fiscal year’s appropriation has a 

four-year period of availability. Funds are to carry out activities of the Joint Fire Science program, as authorized in 

section 40803 of Division D of the Act.

2024 Joint Fire Science program funds will be obligated to an interagency agreement with Bureau of Land 

Management within 90 days of apportionment. BIL funding will be awarded to Joint Fire Science projects following 

the established annual Joint Fire Science timeline for the solicitation, submission, and selection of projects.

Forest and Rangeland receives BIL transfer funds from other Deputy Areas to provide science support to enhance 

and learn from BIL implementation, and to deliver relevant scientific tools and decision support systems. These 

transfers will be obligated to contracts, agreements, and scientist salary in 2024. 2024 science support activities will 

focus on transferring research findings and knowledge to directly inform the ongoing management of priority 

landscapes (e.g., second entries).

The biggest challenge to implementation in the short-term is a shortage of contracting, grants, and agreements staff. 

There are no long-term challenges to note.

The 2024 Spending Plan for the BIL Forest and Rangeland Research programs are summarized below.

Table FS-86. Forest and Rangeland Research BIL spend plan (dollars in thousands).

Item

2023 

Carryover

2024 

Appropriations

2024 

Transfers 

In

2024 

Transfers 

Out

2024 

Total 

Available

2024 

Obligations

2024 

Carryover

Forest Inventory and Analysis ........... $132 - - - $132 $129 $3 

Joint Fire Science............................... - $2,000 - - 2,000 2,000 - 

Research and Development Programs 6,663 - $30,750 - 37,413 33,298 4,115 

Salaries and Expenses........................ 29,614 - 7,700 - 37,314 6,055 31,259 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-247

Item

2023 

Carryover

2024 

Appropriations

2024 

Transfers 

In

2024 

Transfers 

Out

2024 

Total 

Available

2024 

Obligations

2024 

Carryover

Total, Forest and Rangeland 

Research.........................................

 

36,409 

 

2,000 

 

38,450 

 

- 

 

76,859 

 

41,482 

 

35,377 

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry

The BIL provides the Forest Service an additional amount for State and Private Forestry of $1.527 billion. Of this 

total, $305 million is appropriated in each year starting in 2022 through 2026. Each fiscal year’s appropriation has a 

four-year period of availability. Funds are to carry out wildfire risk reduction and ecosystem restoration activities for 

the Department of Agriculture as authorized in Division D Section 40803 and Section 40804 and Division J of the 

Act, for grants to at-risk communities for wildfire mitigation activities, State Fire Capacity Grants, Volunteer Fire 

Capacity Grants, and grants to states to implement State Forest Action Plans.

Initial implementation challenges from 2022 and 2023 were overcome by increasing grants and agreements staffs, 

enhancing the number of program managers and developing standard procedures for BIL program delivery. We 

continue to develop partner relationships with external partners. We work closely with the Department and Office of 

Management and Budget to announce both funding opportunities and project awards. Working in a shared 

leadership stance with partners is critical to the Forest Service’s ability to accomplish the expectations of the Act, as 

well as the desired need to expand the shared stewardship of our public lands.

2024 Projected Accomplishments:

• Increase in at-risk community resilience.

• Increase in ability for States to implement priorities in their State Forest Action Plans.

• Increase in capacity for communities and Tribes to prepare for and respond to wildland fire.

• Increase in capacity for States to meet revegetation goals following wildland fires.

• Increase in number of communities with up-to-date Community Wildfire Protection Plans.

• Increase in opportunities for small businesses and private landowners to harvest timber.

• Increase in the operational capacity in support of the Agency’s mission through human resource management, 

procurement and contracting, grants and agreements, budget formulation and execution, and critical investments 

in technology.

For BIL line-item funds that will be competed, in whole or in part, announcements will be posted to grants.gov.

The 2024 Spending Plan for the BIL State and Private Forestry programs are summarized below.

Table FS-87. State, Private, and Tribal Forestry BIL spend plan (dollars in thousands).

Item

2023 

Carryover

2024 

Appropriations

2024 

Transfers 

In

2024 

Transfers 

Out

2024 

Total 

Available

2024 

Obligations

2024 

Carryover

Landscape Scale Restoration ............ $21 $92 - - $113 $87 $26 

Cooperative Lands Forest Health 

Management ................................

 

10,522 

 

10,000 

 

- 

 

-$1,287

 

19,235 

 

5,104 

 

14,131 

State Fire Capacity Grants ................. 16,273 17,600 - -2,246 31,627 10,784 20,843 

Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants ......... 4,371 4,000 - - 8,371 2,856 5,515 

Forest Stewardship............................. 10,624 10,160 - -1,446 19,338 5,607 13,731 

Urban and Community Forestry......... 7,927 10,000 - -1,287 16,640 6,736 9,904 

Salaries and Expenses........................ 8,501 - $9,115 - 17,616 9,006 8,610 

Byproducts......................................... 23,576 - 16,400 - 39,976 9,971 30,005 

Community Wildfire Defense Grants 155,157 100,000 - -13,140 242,017 11,540 230,477 

Firewood Banks................................. 207 1,600 - -206 1,601 1,389 212 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-248

Item

2023 

Carryover

2024 

Appropriations

2024 

Transfers 

In

2024 

Transfers 

Out

2024 

Total 

Available

2024 

Obligations

2024 

Carryover

Invasive Species Federal Lands 

Forest Health Management ............. 3,128 

 

10,000 

 

- 

 

-5,000

 

8,128 

 

5,000 

 

3,128 

Invasive Species Cooperative Lands 

Forest Health Management .............

 

2,056 

 

10,000 

 

- 

 

-2,315

 

9,741 

 

8,377 

 

1,364 

Mined Lands...................................... - - - - - - - 

National Revegetation........................ 15,284 12,000 - -2,793 24,491 1,697 22,794 

Portable Skidder Bridges ................... 3,854 10,000 - -1,287 12,567 9,676 2,891 

State Forestry Action Plans.............. 9,971 9,908 - -1,287 18,592 5,556 13,036 

Wildland Fire Defense Grants............ 38,581 100,000 - -12,770 125,811 96,875 28,936 

Total, State, Private, and Tribal 

Forestry.......................................... 310,053 

 

305,360 

 

25,515 

 -

45,064

 

595,864 

 

190,261 

 

405,603 

National Forest System

The BIL provides the Forest Service an additional amount for National Forest System of $2.854 billion. Of this total, 

$529.8 million is appropriated each year starting in 2022 through 2026. These funds remain available until 

expended. Funds are to carry out wildfire risk reduction and ecosystem restoration activities for the Department of 

Agriculture as authorized in Division D Section 40803 and Section 40804, and Division J of the Act, for hazardous 

fuels reduction burned area recovery, and restoration of native vegetation and mitigation of environmental hazards 

on mined land.

To support effective implementation of the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law, the agency has streamlined the process 

for requesting match reductions or waivers and will soon roll out system enhancements to allow for the use of more 

than one Assistance Listing per agreement. In addition, the agency will soon provide guidance and training for new 

“keystone structures.” These structures will empower the agency to develop new approaches to implementing large 

partnerships utilizing our existing authorities. The Forest Service has entered into multiple national-level agreements 

with key partners, including National Forest Foundation, Trout Unlimited, Mule Deer Foundation, the National Wild 

Turkey Federation, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support ecosystem restoration and wildfire risk 

reduction.

The Forest Service is increasing and expanding partnerships through many authorities. The Good Neighbor 

Authority and Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA) authorities are specially called out in Section 40804 b 2(B) for 

landscape and vegetation management projects with states and Tribes. In 2023, the Forest Service will use BIL 

funds to support 17 Tribal Forest Protection Act projects and 33 projects under Good Neighbor Authority 

agreements. Funds will support a diverse set of resource benefits including watershed health, fuels reduction, timber 

management, and co-management/planning for future projects as well as increase Tribal workforce capacity in forest 

management and indigenous youth engagement opportunities.

2024 Projected Accomplishments:

• Increased pace and scale for ecosystem restoration producing desired outcomes such as community protection, 

forest and grassland restoration, native plant revegetation, invasive species detection and treatment, watershed 

restoration, mine remediation, and wildlife habitat improvement on National Forest System lands. Funding will 

provide the capacity for planning, collaboration, project design and implementation.

• Increased reforestation actions and partnerships to address the agency’s reforestation backlog acres. These 

actions will meet the provisions of the REPLANT Act and advance the agency’s National Forest System 

Reforestation Strategy.

• Increased timber harvest resulting from additional acres of treatment for ecosystem restoration and wildfire risk 

reduction. These treatments will be guided by the Wildfire Crisis Strategy which is designed to work at the 

scale needed to address the wildfire crisis and ensure our forests are resilient in the face of climate change.

• Increased community resilience through hazardous fuels projects and related activities such as the development 

and improvement of control locations (fuel breaks).

• Increased contracts and agreements with partners, states, and Tribes to perform ecosystem restoration activities 

on National Forest System lands providing jobs to local communities.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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• Increased ability to provide recreation experiences that match visitation demands and to restore, prepare, and 

adapt recreation sites.

• Increased ability to operate, repair, reconstruct, and construct recreation cabins and repair or reconstruct historic 

buildings.

• Creation of incentives for increased use of biomass.

• Implementation of 2023 projects to permanently plug and remediate orphaned wells, reporting results as 

outlined in the Act.

• Continued focus on the successful management and operations of the established civilian climate corps, creating 

and providing jobs for young people, providing the Agency the necessary skills, experiences, and resources to 

conserve and restore public lands and waters, bolster community resilience, increase reforestation, increase 

carbon sequestration, protect biodiversity, improve recreation, and address climate change.

• Increased operational capacity in support of the Agency’s mission to include human resource management, 

procurement and contracting, grants and agreements, budget formulation and execution and critical investments 

in technology.

• Supported the Forest Service’s work on the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, including funding for 21 priority 

landscapes.

Funds will primarily be distributed via contract awards or through agreements with States, Tribes, and partners. 

Contract opportunities or procurement notices are announced through the Contract Opportunities website at 

SAM.gov90. Agreements utilizing authorities such as Good Neighbor Authority, Tribal Forest Projection Act, 

Stewardship Authority, etc. do not require funding announcements.

The 2024 Spending Plan for the BIL National Forest System programs are summarized below.

Table FS-88. National Forest System BIL spend plan (dollars in thousands).

Item

2023 

Carryover

2024 

Appropriations

2024 

Transfers 

In

2024 

Transfers 

Out

2024 

Total 

Available

2024 

Obligations

2024 

Carryover

Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness $25,066 - - - $25,066 $18,800 $6,266 

Grazing Management......................... 8,684 $9,000 - -$3,026 14,658 10,994 3,664 

Hazardous Fuels................................. 83,896 197,800 $8,152 -60,099 229,749 172,312 57,437 

Forest Products................................... 73,937 121,000 - -35,099 159,838 119,879 39,959 

Vegetation and Watershed 

Management.................................... 79,462 87,000 - -24,528 141,934 106,451 35,483 

Collaborative Forest Landscape 

Restoration Fund ............................. 14,980 20,000 - -8,631 26,349 19,762 6,587 

Minerals and Geology Management .. 2,002 15,000 - -6,519 10,483 7,862 2,621 

Byproducts......................................... 15,083 80,000 - -48,843 46,240 34,680 11,560 

Orphaned Wells ................................. 2,046 - - - 2,046 1,535 511 

Salaries and Expenses...................... 95,780 - 59,640 - 155,420 116,565 38,855 

Total, National Forest System ........ 400,936 529,800 67,792 -186,745 811,783 608,840 202,943 

Capital Improvement and Maintenance

The BIL provides the Forest Service an additional amount for Capital Improvement and Maintenance of $360 

million. Of this total, $72 million is appropriated each year starting in 2022 through 2026. Each fiscal year’s 

appropriation has a four-year period of availability. Funds are to carry out activities of the Legacy Road and Trails 

Remediation Program, for the construction of temporary roads or reconstruction and maintenance of roads to 

facilitate projects that reduce wildfire risk, and for the removal of non-hydropower Federal dams.

The Forest Service is maximizing the impact of this historic funding—streamlining systems and processes and 

expanding key partnerships to extend our reach beyond the Federal workforce’s capacity. Those partnerships include 

90 https://sam.gov/content/opportunities. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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investing in national agreements with Trout Unlimited and National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance to support 

aquatic habitat improvement, road and trail resilience, and water quality. Funds will primarily be distributed via 

contract awards. Contract opportunities or procurement notices are announced through the Contract Opportunities 

website at SAM.gov90. 

2024 Projected Accomplishments

• Increased ability to restore fish passages, decommission closed roads, prepare roads for long-term storage, 

relocate roads and convert roads to trails on National Forest System lands.

• Increased ability to construct temporary roads, reconstruct and maintain roads to facilitate forest restoration, and 

manage projects in support of the wildfire risk reduction.

• Reduce risk from dam infrastructure through decommissioning of Forest Service owned dams.

• Increased operational capacity in support of the Forest Service’s mission to include human resource 

management, procurement and contracting, grants and agreements, budget formulation and execution and 

critical investments in technology.

The 2024 BIL Spending Plan for Capital Improvement and Maintenance programs are summarized below.

Table FS-89. Capital Improvement and Maintenance BIL spend plan (dollars in thousands).

Item

2023 

Carryover

2024 

Appropriations

2024 

Transfers 

In

2024 

Transfers 

Out

2024 

Total 

Available

2024 

Obligations

2024 

Carryover

Roads ................................................. $3,853 $20,000 - -$3,925 $19,928 $15,544 $4,384 

Dams.................................................. 541 2,000 - -252 2,289 1,785 504 

Legacy Roads and Trails.................... 14,159 50,000 - -12,312 51,847 40,441 11,406 

Total, Capital Improvement and 

Maintenance .................................. 18,553 72,000 - -16,489 74,064 57,770 16,294 

Wildland Fire Management

The BIL provides the Forest Service an additional amount for Wildland Fire Management of $696 million. Of this 

total, $552,200,000 was appropriated in 2022 and $36,000,000 is appropriated starting in 2023 through 2026. These 

funds remain available until expended. Funds are to carry out wildfire risk reduction activities for the Department of 

Agriculture as authorized in Division D Section 40803 of the Act. The Department of the Interior received 

complementary appropriations for wildland fire management, and the Department of the Interior and Forest Service 

are collaborating and coordinating an implementation plan. 

One short-term challenge is implementing minor updates to human resources and pay systems to eliminate the need 

for manual updates. Additionally, there are also three long-term challenges to implementation: (1) reconciling the 

increased base pay policy with a potential new pay scale associated with the new distinct Wildland Firefighter 

occupational series; (2) updating human resources and pays systems to accommodate new base pay policy; and (3) 

creating a workforce management plan that ensures a sustainable and effective workforce of wildland firefighters. 

The Forest Service will also continue to expand existing capabilities to address and mitigate the significant mental 

health challenges and line-of-duty environmental hazards faced by our wildland firefighter workforce.

2024 Projected Accomplishments:

• Continuation of initiative started in 2021 to ensure equitable pay for firefighters.

• Coordination with the Department of the Interior and Office of Personnel Management to implement the new 

distinct occupational series and pay scale for firefighters that recognizes their specialized training and hazardous 

work they perform.

• Improvement in wildland firefighter workforce morale and retention through compensation and workforce. 

management reform, including investment in mental and physical health programs.

• Increase in ability to recruit and retain wildland firefighters in certain geographic areas determined jointly with 

the Office of Personnel Management.

The 2024 Spend Plan for the BIL Wildland Fire Management programs are summarized below. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Table FS-90. Wildland Fire Management BIL spend plan (dollars in thousands).

Item

2023 

Carryover

2024

Appropriations

2024 

Transfers 

In

2024 

Transfers 

Out

2024 

Total 

Available

2024 

Obligations

2024 

Carryover

Preparedness ...................................... $3,354 $10,000 - -$5,710 $7,644 $4,719 $2,925 

Salaries and Expenses........................ 3,187 - $3,543 - 6,730 6,663 67 

Burned Area Recovery....................... 11,593 20,000 - -4,000 27,593 17,032 10,561 

Detection Monitoring......................... 4,044 - - - 4,044 2,496 1,548 

Reverse 911........................................ 3,512 6,000 - -1,250 8,262 5,099 3,163 

Total, Wildland Fire Management. 25,690 36,000 3,543 -10,960 54,273 36,009 18,264 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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FY 2024 TRANSFERS WITHIN APPROPRIATIONS

Background

The Explanatory Statement for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations 

Act, 2023, included the following directive:

The Service is directed to include a list of approved administrative transfers for the previous fiscal year, 

including those made between accounts affected by budget restructuring and for hazardous fuels mitigation, 

in the annual budget submission.

Transfers Between Accounts Affected by Budget Restructuring

In fiscal year 2022, the Forest Service transferred $26.874 million to Forest Service Operations from other Forest 

Service discretionary accounts for projects and activities related to budget restructuring. The table below displays 

each administrative transfer by account.

Table FS-91. Administrative transfers by account. 

Item 2022 Actual

Forest Service Operations

Transfers In:

Forest and Rangeland Research ........................................................................................................... $4,790

National Forest System ........................................................................................................................ 9,500

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry........................................................................................................ 2,750

Wildland Fire Management.................................................................................................................. 9,834

Subtotal, Transfers In ........................................................................................................................ 26,874

Forest and Rangeland Research

Transfers Out:

Forest Service Operations.................................................................................................................... -4,790

State, Private, and Tribal Forestry

Transfers Out:

Forest Service Operations.................................................................................................................... -2,750

National Forest System

Transfers Out:

Forest Service Operations.................................................................................................................... -9,500

Wildland Fire Management

Transfers Out:

Forest Service Operations.................................................................................................................... -9,834

Transfers Between Accounts Affected by Hazardous Fuels Mitigation

In fiscal year 2022, there were no transfers between accounts affected by Hazardous Fuels mitigation.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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APPENDICES

NATIONAL PARKS AND PUBLIC LAND LEGACY RESTORATION FUND

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) (P.L. 116-152), enacted in 2020, allows the Forest Service to repair and 

upgrade vital infrastructure and facilities in the national forests and grasslands through the National Parks and Public 

Land Legacy Restoration Fund.

In 2024, the Forest Service proposes $285 million for the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. 

These levels are subject to a 5.7 percent sequestration rate, and this is reflected in the tables below. The 2023 

sequestration pop-up (payback), once returned, will act as the 2024 contingency fund. The Forest Service has 

developed the projects in accordance with GAOA requirements and Administration guidance. The full project 

information, including the project descriptions, will be transmitted to Congress concurrently with the 2024 Budget 

request. This project list may differ from that provided in an enacted appropriations bill. 

Table FS-92. 2024 National Parks and Public Lands Restoration Fund – Proposed Projects

Item 

No. Region Unit Project Name State Asset Types

FY 2024 

Funding Project Description

1 01 BeaverheadDeerlodge 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

BeaverheadDeerlodge 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

MT Trail, 

Facility, 

Recreation 

Site

$709,100 Work includes trail maintenance, road 

resurfacing, campground and signage 

repair, and toilet replacements.

2 01 Idaho 

Panhandle 

National 

Forests 

Deferred 

Maintenance

Idaho Panhandle 

National Forests 

Deferred 

Maintenance

ID Trail, Trail 

Bridge 

4,010,000 Work includes trail reconstruction and 

trail bridge replacements.

3 01 Flathead 

National Forest

BeaverheadDeerlodge 

National Forest

ID, 

MT

Road, Trail, 

Facility

1,545,000 Work includes cabin rental renovation, 

trail maintenance, and road repairs.

4 01 Custer Gallatin 

National Forest

Idaho Panhandle 

National Forests

MT, 

SD

Road, 

Recreation 

Site, Road 

Bridge

4,623,200 Work includes road and bridge repair, 

rental cabin renovation, trail 

maintenance, and toilet maintenance.

5 01 Kootenai 

National Forest

Kootenai 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

MT Recreation 

Site, Trail, 

Road, Water 

and 

Wastewater 

System

4,185,000 Work includes replacing a water and 

wastewater system, campground 

renovations, trail maintenance and rental 

cabin maintenance.

6 01 Helena-Lewis 

and Clark 

National Forest

Helena-Lewis 

and Clark 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

MT Trail, 

Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Facility, Road 

Bridge

4,900,000 Work includes trail maintenance, 

campground renovations, sign 

replacements, road reconditioning, and 

rental cabin maintenance.

7 01 Lolo National 

Forest

Lolo Timber and 

Fuels Access 

Roads

MT Road 265,000 This multi-year project provides access 

for the Soldier Butler and Sawmill Petty 

projects, which are critical to Lolo 

National Forest timber and fuels targets. 

The project improves the transportation 

system, wildland-urban interface fire 

protection, water quality and aquatics, 

and safety. The project will construct, 

reconstruct, and relocate road for 

fire/fuels and timber access, and replace 

undersized culverts to meet aquatic 

organism passage standard.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 

No. Region Unit Project Name State Asset Types

FY 2024 

Funding Project Description

8 01 Nez PerceClearwater 

National 

Forests

Nez PerceClearwater 

National Forests 

Deferred 

Maintenance

ID, 

MT

Road, 

Recreation 

Site, Trail, 

Trail Bridge 

2,770,500 Work includes trail maintenance, 

recreation facility replacements, and 

toilet repairs.

9 01 Dakota Prairie 

Grasslands

North Country 

National Scenic 

Trail Deferred 

Maintenance

ND Trail 130,000 This project will resurface the trail with 

specified aggregate to reduce erosion, 

protect drainage areas, and meet user 

expectations.

10 01 Aerial Fire 

Depot

Missoula 

Smokejumper 

Visitor Center 

Renovation

MT Facility - Fire 1,128,000 This project will fully renovate both 

floors and increase usable space. Project 

work will improve signage, information 

and interpretive displays, modernize 

bathrooms, improve lighting, restore 

facility HVAC service, and conduct 

asbestos abatement. Additionally, the 

project will improve accessibility for 

visitors and staff.

11 02 Bighorn 

National Forest

Bighorn National 

Forest Deferred 

Maintenance

WY Road, Road 

Bridge, 

Recreation 

Site, Facility

1,709,000 Work includes road and road bridge 

repairs, trailhead maintenance, and 

facility maintenance.

12 02 Black Hills 

National Forest

Black Hills 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

SD Dam, 

Recreation 

Site, Trail

1,811,000 Work includes dam repair and trail and 

trailhead maintenance. 

13 02 Grand Mesa, 

Uncompahgre, 

and Gunnison 

National 

Forests

Grand Mesa, 

Uncompahgre, 

and Gunnison 

National Forests 

Deferred 

Maintenance

CO Road, 

Recreation 

Site, Trail

1,090,000 Work includes trail and trailhead 

maintenance, campground renovations, 

and toilet replacements.

14 02 Medicine BowRoutt National 

Forests and 

Thunder Basin 

National 

Grassland

Medicine BowRoutt National 

Forests and 

Thunder Basin 

National 

Grassland 

Deferred 

Maintenance

CO, 

WY

Recreation 

Site, Facility, 

Water System

2,182,000 Work includes toilet maintenance, 

campground renovations, and trail 

maintenance.

15 02 Nebraska 

National Forest

Bessey 

Recreation 

Complex 

Sidewalk Repair 

and Group 

Electrical 

Upgrades

NE Recreation 

Site

85,000 This project will consist of replacing 

sidewalks that have become unsafe and 

in disrepair at the Bessey Recreation 

Complex and upgrading the electrical at 

the Cedar loop and group campground.

16 02 Arapaho and 

Roosevelt 

National 

Forests and 

Pawnee 

National 

Grassland

Arapaho and 

Roosevelt 

National Forests 

and Pawnee 

National 

Grassland 

Deferred 

Maintenance

CO Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, Water 

and 

Wastewater 

System, 

Road, Trail, 

Trail Bridge

3,099,000 Work includes water system repair, 

facility maintenance, toilet repair, and 

other recreation enhancements.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

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Item 

No. Region Unit Project Name State Asset Types

FY 2024 

Funding Project Description

17 02 Pike-San Isabel 

National 

Forests and 

CimarronComanche 

National 

Grasslands

Pike-San Isabel 

National Forests 

and CimarronComanche 

National 

Grasslands 

Deferred 

Maintenance

CO, 

KS

Road, Trail, 

Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, Water 

and 

Wastewater 

System

1,462,000 Work includes trail and trailhead 

maintenance, facility maintenance, toilet 

replacements, and water system repair.

18 02 San Juan 

National Forest

San Juan 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

CO Road, 

Recreation 

Site

450,000 Work includes recreation site 

maintenance, road repaving, and 

campground renovations.

19 02 Shoshone 

National Forest

Shoshone 

Developed 

Recreation 

Deferred 

Maintenance

WY Recreation 

Site

60,000 This project will replace old picnic 

tables, fire rings, and grills; repair water 

system pumping systems; and complete 

toilet maintenance work to meet 

accessibility standards in the highly 

popular recreation sites throughout the 

forest.

20 02 White River 

National Forest

White River 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

CO Recreation 

Site, Trail, 

Water System

8,850,000 Work includes toilet repair, trail 

maintenance, campground and rental 

cabin maintenance.

21 02 Rocky 

Mountain 

Regional 

Office 

Colorado 

Fourteeners Trail 

Deferred 

Maintenance

CO, 

NM

Trail 355,500 This project will address severe resource 

damage caused by extremely fragile 

alpine environment combined with usercreated trails and heavy visitation. The 

work completed will create sustainable 

trails to improve resource conditions and 

visitor experience.

22 03 ApacheSitgreaves 

National Forest

Forest-wide 

Developed 

Recreation Site 

Renovation

AZ Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Trail, Water 

System

900,000 This project will address recreation site 

deferred maintenance work that includes, 

but is not limited to, pavement, site 

amenity replacements, replacement of 

signs and markers, and installation of 

kiosks to improve visitor safety, and 

interpretive and payment information.

23 03 Carson 

National Forest

Hopewell Lake 

Day Use and 

Campground 

Renovations and 

Improvements

NM Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Wastewater 

System, 

Water System

1,089,800 Renovations and improvements to both 

the day use and campground at Hopewell 

Lake are sought to help increase the 

efficiency of maintaining and operating 

facilities. Improvements including toilet 

facility repair, replacement of the day use 

entrance gate, fee station, and entrance 

sign.

24 03 Coconino 

National Forest

Coconino 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

AZ Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Trail

1,455,200 Work includes campground renovations, 

recreation sign replacements, and road 

and trail maintenance.

25 03 Coronado 

National Forest

Coronado 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

AZ Road, Road 

Bridge, Trail, 

Recreation 

Site

3,325,000 Work includes road realignment and 

reconstruction and bridge repair, trail 

maintenance, and recreation 

enhancements.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-256

Item 

No. Region Unit Project Name State Asset Types

FY 2024 

Funding Project Description

26 03 Gila National 

Forest

Gila Wilderness 

and Urban 

Interface Trail 

Access 

Improvement

NM Trail 500,000 The Gila Wilderness is a premier 

destination that offers exceptional 

opportunities for solitude and 

backcountry adventure; however, trail 

access is often problematic due to the 

impacts from fire and subsequent 

flooding. This project aims to restore 

access to this unique, rugged, and 

exceptional area through focused efforts 

on arterial trails and other key access 

points.

27 03 Lincoln 

National Forest

Cedar Creek 

Trail Access 

Improvement

NM Recreation 

Site

50,000 This project evolved from a partnership 

within the greater Ruidoso area to 

provide a cohesive network of trails. This 

project includes trailhead design and 

development, installation of a pedestrian 

and bike bridge, water crossings and 

construction of an accessible trail.

28 03 Prescott 

National Forest

Prescott Trails 

Maintenance

AZ Trail 450,000 This project will reduce deferred 

maintenance on trails by brushing and 

repairing drainage structures.

29 03 Santa Fe 

National Forest

Santa Fe 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

NM Recreation 

Site, Trail

4,169,900 Work includes recreation site 

maintenance and trail maintenance.

30 03 Southwestern 

Regional 

Office

Southwestern 

Region Deferred 

Maintenance

AZ, 

NM

Recreation 

Site, Trail

1,131,000 Work includes trail and recreation site 

maintenance at various sites throughout 

the region.

31 04 Boise National 

Forest

Sage Hen 

Recreation Area 

Reconstruction

ID Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Water System

2,055,500 This project will improve the visitor 

experience at the popular, high use, Sage 

Hen Reservoir Recreation area. The 

project will renovate campgrounds and 

boat ramps.

32 04 Bridger-Teton 

National Forest

Upper Green 

River Corridor 

Road 

Improvement, 

Phase One

WY Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Water System

707,900 The Upper Green River corridor is a high 

use recreational corridor that also 

provides access to forest products. This 

project will resurface the road, renovate 

recreation site, and repair the water 

system.

33 04 Fishlake 

National Forest

Fishlake 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

UT Road, 

Recreation 

Site, Water 

and 

Wastewater 

System

3,989,000 Work includes recreation site 

maintenance and access road repairs.

34 04 Manti-La Sal 

National Forest

Manti-La Sal 

National Forest 

Road and Trail 

Signage

CO, 

UT

Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Trail

110,600 This forest-wide sign project includes 

inventorying, planning, purchasing, and 

installing new road and trail signs.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-257

Item 

No. Region Unit Project Name State Asset Types

FY 2024 

Funding Project Description

35 04 Salmon-Challis 

National Forest

BoundaryDagger Road 

Repair

ID Road 1,800,000 The Boundary and Dagger Roads 

provide the only access to the Middle 

Fork of the Salmon River within the 

Frank Church River of No Return 

Wilderness. Traffic is estimated at 

30,000 per season, and the high use has 

damaged the road as well as created a 

need for improvements for safety. 

Sediment into sensitive streams will be 

eradicated.

36 04 HumboldtToiyabe 

National Forest

HumboldtToiyabe National 

Forest Deferred 

Maintenance

CA, 

NV

Road, Road 

Bridge, Trail, 

Trail Bridge

1,515,000 Work includes bridge replacements and 

trail maintenance.

37 04 UintaWasatch-Cache 

National Forest

Historic 

GuinavahMalibu Civilian 

Conservation 

Corps 

Campground and 

Amphitheater 

Reconstruction

UT Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Wastewater 

System, 

Water System

2,684,100 This project includes repairs to the 

Guinavah-Malibu Civilian Conservation 

Corps Amphitheater’s original stonework 

and seating. Additional work includes 

reconstruction of restrooms, roads, trails 

and interpretive signage.

38 04 Intermountain 

Regional 

Office 

Idaho Airstrip ID Recreation 

Site

750,000 To improve the safety and accessibility 

of Idaho's backcountry, the Forest 

Service will address deferred 

maintenance on the airstrips that serve 

both the recreational public and Forest 

Service operations. Work will likely 

include drainage improvements, surface 

grading, aviation markers, approach clear 

zones, windsocks, tiedowns, information 

signboards, campsites, latrines, and 

associated facility repair and 

maintenance.

39 05 Angeles 

National Forest

Angeles National 

Forest Deferred 

Maintenance

CA Recreation 

Site

2,245,000 This project will renovate campgrounds 

on the Angeles National Forest.

40 05 Cleveland 

National Forest

Upper San Juan 

Campground 

Renovation

CA Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, Road

325,000 To improve visitor experience at the 

Upper San Juan Campground, this 

project addresses outstanding 

maintenance items on the access road 

and campground. Project work includes 

but is not limited to replacing barriers, 

fire rings, picnic tables, trash receptacles, 

gates, culverts, and vault toilets.

41 05 Eldorado 

National Forest

Eldorado 

National Forest

CA Road, Trail, 

Recreation 

Site

700,000 Work includes trailhead maintenance and 

recreation facility maintenance.

42 05 Inyo National 

Forest

Day Use Sites 

Safety and 

Accessibility 

Improvements 

CA Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Trail

420,000 This project will fix major safety and 

accessibility deficiencies at four heavily 

used day use sites on the Inyo National 

Forest. Accessibility, safety, pedestrian 

flow, and site layout will all be analyzed 

and updated. 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-258

Item 

No. Region Unit Project Name State Asset Types

FY 2024 

Funding Project Description

43 05 Klamath 

National Forest

Forest-wide 

Interpretive 

Signs and Trail 

Markers

CA, 

OR

Recreation 

Site

25,000 This project addresses outstanding 

signage maintenance with forest-wide 

repairs and replacement of kiosks and 

information display panels at 

campgrounds, day use sites, and 

trailheads.

44 05 Lassen 

National Forest

Forest-wide 

Toilet 

Replacement

CA Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, 

Wastewater 

System

510,000 Many of the vault and flush toilets were 

constructed decades ago and have 

exceeded their useful life. Project work 

includes repairing or replacing toilet 

buildings. The work will also include 

updated fixtures and plumbing and 

replacement of a wastewater system.

45 05 Modoc 

National Forest

Modoc National 

Forest Deferred 

Maintenance

CA Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Trail

2,750,000 Work includes campground maintenance, 

road maintenance, and trail maintenance.

46 05 Six Rivers 

National Forest

Six Rivers 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

CA Road, Road 

Bridge, Water 

and 

Wastewater 

System, 

Recreation 

Site

1,210,000 Work includes road sign replacements 

and recreation facility and water system 

maintenance.

47 05 San Bernardino 

National Forest

San Bernardino 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

CA Road, Water 

System, 

Recreation 

Site

428,500 Work includes campground and 

recreation site renovations, water system 

repair, and road maintenance.

48 05 Sequoia 

National Forest

Southern Sierra 

Campground and 

Day Use Site 

Toilet 

Replacement and 

Accessibility 

Upgrades

CA Facility, 

Recreation 

Site

54,000 This project addresses current 

deficiencies that exist at developed 

recreation sites on the Inyo, Sierra, 

Sequoia and Stanislaus National Forests 

by replacing outdated vault toilets in high 

use recreation areas accessible facilities. 

Additional work includes accessible 

paths from roadway to toilet facilities 

and other site improvements.

49 05 Sierra National 

Forest

Sierra Vista 

Scenic Byway 

Rehabilitation 

Project

CA Road 4,400,000 Scenic Byway roads, campgrounds and 

vista points are in poor condition. Work 

includes chip seal for paved roads and 

campgrounds, base rock for gravel roads, 

and replacement of regulatory, warning, 

road destination and recreation site 

identification signs.

50 05 Pacific 

Southwest 

Regional 

Office

Pacific 

Southwest 

Region Deferred 

Maintenance

CA Road, 

Recreation 

Site

855,000 Work includes safety repairs on roads 

and recreation facility maintenance 

across the region. 

51 05 Stanislaus 

National Forest

Accessible Toilet 

Replacement

CA Facility, 

Recreation 

site, Water 

System

2,250,000 This project addresses legal noncompliance challenges and provide 

recreation facilities which are universally 

accessible and meet Accessibility 

Guidelines. The existing wooden vault 

toilets are more than 40 years old.

52 05 Tahoe National 

Forest

Tahoe National 

Forest Deferred 

Maintenance

CA Road, Trail, 

Facility, 

Recreation 

Site

18,880,000 Work includes facility repair and 

replacement, campground renovations, 

and road maintenance.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-259

Item 

No. Region Unit Project Name State Asset Types

FY 2024 

Funding Project Description

53 06 Deschutes 

National Forest

Forest-wide Trail 

Bridge 

Reconstruction

OR Recreation 

Site, Trail, 

Trail Bridge

4,000 This project will replace trail bridges. 

The Deschutes National Forest is known 

for outstanding recreational 

opportunities, and its trails system is one 

of the primary attractions. This project 

will replace failed or failing trail bridges 

that provide critical infrastructure and 

trail connectivity for some of the most 

popular trails.

54 06 Gifford 

Pinchot 

National Forest

Gifford Pinchot 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

WA Road, Road 

Bridge, 

Recreation 

Site

6,218,000 Work includes road and bridge repairs 

and facility maintenance.

55 06 Mt. BakerSnoqualmie 

National Forest

Mt. BakerSnoqualmie 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

WA Dam, Road, 

Trail, Trail 

Bridge, Road 

Bridge 

1,780,000 Work includes road maintenance, trail 

maintenance, dam repairs, and road and 

trail bridge repairs.

56 06 Umpqua 

National Forest

South Umpqua 

Transportation 

Remediation and 

Watershed 

Improvement to 

Aid in Critical 

Access and 

Aquatic 

Organism 

Passage

OR Road, Road 

Bridge 

2,000,000 This project will replace critical 

infrastructure to provide access for 

recreation visitors and natural resource 

management on 300,000 acres of the 

Umpqua National Forest. These routes 

provide the only road access to cultural 

sites for tribes and the public. This 

project will eliminate deferred 

maintenance and improve access and 

safety on roads that will likely soon need 

to be closed if not repaired.

57 06 WallowaWhitman 

National Forest

Scenic Byway 

Road Pavement 

Maintenance and 

Chip Seal

OR Road 1,600,000 This project entails patch and chip 

sealing major paved roads on the 

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 

These roads impact Baker City, Granite 

and La Grande, and are known as the 

Elkhorn Scenic Byway.

58 06 OkanoganWenatchee 

National Forest

Selkirks to Surf: 

North Cascades 

Recreation 

Scenic Corridor

WA Recreation 

Site, Trail, 

Trail Bridge, 

Wastewater 

System, 

Water System

3,625,000 This project addresses deferred 

maintenance on trails, bridges, 

campgrounds, and scenic viewpoints 

along a high use corridor, which will 

provide for diverse recreation, improve 

visitor access, experience, and safety, 

and provide local economic benefits.

59 06 Willamette 

National Forest

Willamette 

National Forest 

Trail Bridge 

Replacement

OR Trail, Trail 

Bridge 

30,000 The Willamette Trail Bridge 

Replacement project involves the 

replacement of several bridges along 

high-use, high-priority trails that have 

either failed or are nearing failure. The 

bridges provide critical linkages and 

resource protection along popular trails.

60 06 Colville 

National Forest

Colville National 

Forest Deferred 

Maintenance

WA Recreation 

Site, Trail

990,000 Work includes recreation site 

rehabilitation and trail maintenance.

61 06 Columbia 

River Gorge 

National 

Scenic Area

Columbia River 

Gorge National 

Scenic Area 

Deferred 

Maintenance

OR, 

WA

Recreation 

Site

2,136,800 Work includes recreation site renovations 

and trailhead maintenance.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-260

Item 

No. Region Unit Project Name State Asset Types

FY 2024 

Funding Project Description

62 06 Pacific 

Northwest 

Regional 

Office 

Pacific 

Northwest 

Region Deferred 

Maintenance

OR, 

WA, 

ID 

Trail, Trail 

Bridge, 

Recreation 

Site, Road

4,950,000 Work includes trail maintenance, trail 

bridge replacements, recreation site 

maintenance, and culvert replacements 

for aquatic organism passage across the 

region.

63 08 National 

Forests in 

Florida

Osceola 

Administrative 

Office 

FL Facility, 

Water System

6,950,000 This project will rebuild the Osceola 

administrative facility. The current office 

is a dated research facility with asbestos 

and mold problems as well as a roof and 

HVAC system beyond their usable life. 

The work center is non-existent and 

instead is a mix of old buildings and 

trailers.

64 08 George 

Washington 

and Jefferson 

National 

Forests

George 

Washington and 

Jefferson 

National Forests 

Deferred 

Maintenance

VA Trail, Trail 

Bridge, 

Recreation 

Site, 

Wastewater 

System

6,300,000 Work includes trail bridge replacements, 

wastewater system replacement, trail 

maintenance, and recreation site 

improvements.

65 08 Ozark-St. 

Francis 

National 

Forests

Ozark-St. Francis 

National Forests 

Deferred 

Maintenance

AR Road, Facility 3,050,000 Work includes facility maintenance and 

road reconstruction. 

66 08 Francis Marion 

and Sumter 

National 

Forests

Francis Marion 

and Sumter 

National Forests 

Deferred 

Maintenance

SC Trail, 

Recreation 

Site

7,750,000 Work includes recreation site 

improvements and trail maintenance.

83 08 Land Between 

the Lakes 

National 

Recreation 

Area

Land Between 

the Lakes 

National 

Recreation Area 

Deferred 

Maintenance

KY Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, Road

210,000 Work includes recreation site and 

parking improvements.

67 09 Chippewa 

National Forest

Chippewa 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

MN Recreation 

Site

839,500 Work includes campground renovations 

and other recreation site enhancements.

68 09 HuronManistee 

National 

Forests

Pere Marquette 

Wild and Scenic 

River Green 

Cottage Access 

Improvements

MI Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, Road

425,000 Funds will be used to address deferred 

maintenance at the Pere Marquette Wild 

and Scenic River Green Cottage Access. 

This project includes the repair or 

replacement of the existing boat slide, 

boardwalk, and stairs, as well as other 

minor site improvements including 

signage upgrades, vault toilet, new fee 

tube and information board, picnic 

tables, benches, fencing, gates, and 

animal resistant trash cans. 

69 09 Mark Twain 

National Forest

Crane Lake Dam 

Rehabilitation 

and Forest Road 

2113 

Improvement

MO Dam, Road 2,266,000 The Crane Lake Dam rehabilitation 

project will repair the more than 60-yearold high hazard dam. The project will 

repair the structural integrity, meet 

seismic requirements, and be fully 

compliant of all Federal dam regulations. 

Road access to the dam and will be 

improved to accommodate construction 

activities and future administrative 

needs.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-261

Item 

No. Region Unit Project Name State Asset Types

FY 2024 

Funding Project Description

70 09 Ottawa 

National Forest

Nesbit Road 

Rehabilitation

MI Road 501,000 This project will rehabilitate areas along 

Nesbit Road by replacing aggregate to 

re-establish the crown, replace culverts, 

and re-ditch. The lack of gravel on the 

current road makes it difficult to grade 

properly so that school buses and large 

passenger vans can drive it safely. 

71 09 Shawnee 

National Forest

Lake Glendale 

Rehabilitation 

Project

IL Dam, 

Recreation 

Site, Road, 

Trail, Trail 

Bridge, 

Wastewater 

System

957,000 This project addresses significant agerelated deterioration of facilities at the 

Lake Glendale recreation area. Work 

includes replacing the electric line 

serving the entire site, replacing toilet 

buildings, shower buildings, beach 

house, picnic shelters, and campsite 

features. Also included is work to the on 

the dam, roads, and trail.

72 09 Hiawatha 

National Forest

Hiawatha 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

MI Trail, Trail 

Bridge, Road, 

Road Bridge, 

Recreation 

Site

1,815,000 Work includes recreation site 

maintenance, bridge replacements, and 

trail maintenance.

73 09 Hoosier 

National Forest

Hardin Ridge 

Campground 

Bathroom 

Improvement

IN Facility, 

Recreation 

Site

741,400 This project will replace bathroom and 

shower facilities at the Hardin Ridge 

campground. 

74 09 ChequamegonNicolet 

National Forest

ChequamegonNicolet National 

Forest Deferred 

Maintenance

WI Trail, 

Recreation 

Site

510,000 Work includes fishing pier replacement 

and trail maintenance. 

75 09 Allegheny 

National Forest

Allegheny 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

PA Road, 

Recreation 

Site

8,372,000 Work includes road reconstruction, dam 

repair, and recreation site improvements. 

76 09 Green 

Mountain and 

Finger Lakes 

National 

Forests

Green Mountain 

and Finger Lakes 

National Forests 

Deferred 

Maintenance

VT Trail, Road, 

Road Bridge, 

Dam, 

Recreation 

Site, Trail 

Bridge

840,600 Work includes trail bridge replacements, 

recreation facility maintenance, road and 

road bridge repair, and dam maintenance.

77 09 Monongahela 

National Forest

Holcomb Bridge 

Replacement

WV Road, Road 

Bridge 

685,000 This project will fund the design and 

construction of a replacement for 

Holcomb Bridge.

78 09 White 

Mountain 

National Forest

White Mountain 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

NH Trail 350,300 Work includes trail maintenance.

79 10 Chugach 

National Forest

Chugach 

National Forest 

Deferred 

Maintenance

AK Trail, Trail 

Bridge, 

Recreation 

Site

1,948,000 Work includes recreation site 

improvements, campground renovations, 

rental cabin maintenance, trail 

maintenance, and trail bridge 

replacements. 

80 10 Tongass 

National Forest

Tongass National 

Forest Deferred 

Maintenance

AK Trail, 

Facility, 

Recreation 

Site, Trail 

Bridge, Road, 

Road Bridge

20,918,000 Work includes facility maintenance, trail 

maintenance, campground renovations, 

bridge repairs, and other recreation site 

enhancements.
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-262

Item 

No. Region Unit Project Name State Asset Types

FY 2024 

Funding Project Description

81 R&D Forest Products 

Laboratory

Building 34 

Parking Lot 

Replacement

WI Facility 500,000 This project includes the full replacement 

of a parking lot at the Forest Products 

Laboratory. Research here boosts 

productivity of National Forest System 

lands by improving forest health through 

development of value-added products 

from woody biomass.

82 All Various National Priority 

Housing 

Deferred 

Maintenance 

Projects

Vario

us

Facility -

Housing

24,547,600 This project will address deferred 

maintenance at employee housing 

facilities throughout the nation.

Total, 2024 Legacy Restoration Funding ............................................ 220,965,000 

2024 Sequestration (5.7%)...................................................................... 16,245,000 

Administrative Funds.............................................................................. 21,000,000 

Contingency ............................................................................................ 26,790,000 

Total, National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund.. 285,000,000 
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-263

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

2024 Land and Water Conservation Fund Proposed Acquisition Lists

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) (P.L. 116-152), enacted in 2020, permanently funds the Land and

Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), investing in conservation and recreation opportunities in public and private

lands.

In 2024, the Forest Service is requesting $123.9 million for Federal Land Acquisition projects and program

administration and $94 million for Forest Legacy projects and program administration. These levels are subject to a 

5.7 percent sequestration rate, and this is reflected in the tables below. The Forest Service has developed the projects 

in accordance with GAOA requirements and Administration guidance. The full project sheets will be transmitted to 

Congress concurrently with the 2024 Budget request. These project lists may differ from those provided in an 

enacted appropriations bill.

Treasures of the Central Appalachians – The 2024 Budget submission for LWCF directly supports the Treasures of 

the Central Appalachians to strengthen conservation in this ecologically rich and culturally significant region. The 

Budget proposes $11.6 million for land acquisition projects in West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. These 

projects will advance key forest conservation priorities including watershed protection, protection of habitat for atrisk-species, and preserve access for outdoor recreation in some of the most pristine national forests in the eastern 

United States.

Table FS-93. 2024 National Forest System Land Acquisition Program – Proposed Projects

Priority

Order Forest State Project Request

1 Okanogan-Wenatchee National 

Forest WA Okanogan-Wenatchee NF I $12,000,000

2 Rio Grande National Forest CO Rio Grande National Forest 8,000,000

3 White River National Forest CO White River National Forest 1,250,000

4 Lolo National Forest MT Lolo National Forest 10,500,000

5 Okanogan-Wenatchee National 

Forest WA Okanogan-Wenatchee NF II 7,000,000

6 Prescott National Forest AZ Prescott National Forest I 10,340,000

7 Chattahoochee-Oconee

National Forest GA Chattahoochee-Oconee National 

Forest 3,844,000

8 Beaverhead-Deerlodge

National Forest MT Beaverhead-Deerlodge NationalForest II 1,620,000

9 Coronado National Forest AZ Coronado National Forest I 2,500,000

10

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National

Forest UT Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NationalForest 4,000,000

11 National Forests in Alabama AL National Forests in Alabama 4,150,000

12

Beaverhead-Deerlodge

National Forest MT Beaverhead-Deerlodge National

Forest I 1,926,136

13 San Juan National Forest CO San Juan National Forest 4,000,000

14 Shasta-Trinity National Forest CA Shasta-Trinity National Forest 2,000,000

15 

White Mountain National

Forest ME White Mountain National Forest 3,177,500

16 Multiple Forests WV, NC, TN Treasures of the Central

Appalachians 11,649,000

Subtotal, Project Funds 87,956,636

5.7% Sequestration 5,316,573

Recreation Access 11,006,012

Acquisition Management 13,855,779

Critical Inholdings/Wilderness 5,500,000

Cash Equalization 250,000

Total 123,885,000
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-264

Priority

Order Forest State Project Request

17 Coronado National Forest AZ Coronado National Forest II 5,400,000

18 Ouachita National Forest AR Ouachita National Forest 8,370,000

19 Kootenai National Forest MT Kootenai National Forest 1,500,000

20 Custer Gallatin National Forest MT Custer Gallatin National Forest 1,500,000

21 Prescott National Forest AZ Prescott National Forest II 8,160,000

22

San Bernardino National

Forest CA San Bernardino National Forest 10,000,000

23

Chequamegon Nicolet

National Forest WI Chequamegon Nicolet NationalForest II 630,000

24

Chequamegon Nicolet

National Forest I WI Chequamegon Nicolet NationalForest I 1,200,000

25 Black Hills National Forest SD Black Hills National Forest 2,000,000

26 Cleveland National Forest CA Cleveland National Forest 3,300,000

Total, Supplemental Project List 42,060,000

Supplemental 5.7% Sequestration 2,576,786

Supplemental Acquisition Management Funds 4,704,154

Total Funding 173,225,940

Table FS-94. Fiscal Year 2024 Forest Legacy Program – Proposed Projects

Rank State Project Name Funding Level

1 MT Upper Thompson Connectivity Project $7,000,000

2 MI Michigamme Highlands Project 15,075,000 

3 MS Wolf River Forest Conservation Project 7,500,000 

4 HI Maunawili Valley Project 3,605,000

5 GA Dugdown Mountain Corridor Stateline Georgia Project 17,500,000 

6 MA Nashua Wild & Scenic Rivers and Forests Project 8,615,000 

7 IA Little Sioux Forest Project 4,650,000 

8 ME South Branch Forest Project 1,150,000 

9 VA Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve Expansion Project 9,500,000 

10 CA Brushy Mountain Phase 3, Eel River Peninsula Project1 6,287,465

Administrative Funds 8,000,000

5.7% Sequestration 5,372,535

Subtotal Project Funds 80,882,465

Total, Forest Legacy Program 94,255,000

CA Brushy Mountain Phase 3, Eel River Peninsula Project 3,762,535

11 AL Dugdown Mountain Corridor Stateline Alabama 3,750,000

12 NC Roanoke River Bottomlands Forest Project 3,000,000 

13 UT Bear River Mountains Connectivity Project 5,340,000 

14 SD Big Sioux River Forest Project 1,490,000 

15 ID Spirit of Mount Spokane Conservation Project-Phase 1 18,000,000 

16 WA Mt. Adams Forest Project 8,250,000 

17 OR Tualatin Mountain Forest Project 10,245,000 

Subtotal Project List 53,837,535

Total Project Funds 140,092,535

Total Administrative Funds 8,000,000

Total Forest Legacy2,3 148,092,535
2024 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES – FOREST SERVICE

30a-265

1 Project #10, California’s Brushy Mountain Phase 3 is a partial funding for the project. Total requested funding is $10,050,000.

2 Total applications received for 2024; 36 projects $234 million requested.

3 Proposed project list as cleared by USDA.