However, before making a decision to acquire land, it is important to do a thorough analysis of what it will cost to manage the lands. This policy applies to acquisitions through exchange, donation, purchase, etc., but not to road easements. Because the future cost to manage land is a critical element in determining the feasibility of a proposed acquisition, it should be addressed early in the acquisition process.
Corrective actions can be costly, involve extensive staff time, and be highly controversial.
Other restoration costs may involve actions to bring harvested timberlands back into production, reseeding to control erosion and restore ecological balance, etc. Future management costs must be documented for all proposed land acquisitions. The analysis should include a summary of estimated costs and an assessment describing how increased management costs will be funded in outlying years. Although feasibility reports are not required for other types of acquisitions, field offices are expected to use a similar analytical process, which must be fully documented, to disclose potential issues before requesting review by OR-930 and approval by the State Director to pursue the acquisition. For example, a portion of the offered lands can be eliminated from an acquisition if there are unsafe or unneeded structures or facilities.