Assistance Listings Federal Lands Access Program
Overview
Objectives
The goal of the Federal Lands Access Program is to improve transportation facilities that provide access to, are adjacent to, or are located within Federal lands. The Access Program supplements State and local resources for public roads, transit systems, and other transportation facilities, with an emphasis on high-use recreation sites and economic generators. The program is designed to provide flexibility for a wide range of transportation projects in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. A Programming Decisions Committee (PDC) within each State will make programming decisions and should develop a multi-year program of projects.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2024: This Arkansas project benefits the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge. The work consists of providing an engineering solution to the continued erosion of the roadway embankment along the Big Island Chute, installation of low water crossings at three locations where frequent washouts affect vehicular access, and select clearing to improve the drainage along portions of the more than 5 miles of South CC Camp Rd. White River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1935 and it was renamed Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge in 2014. It is home to diverse species of trees, woody plants, and animals. The South CC Camp Road has been in place in some form since the 1800s and is the primary access from Refuge HQ to the Farm Unit. It mainly lies in the floodplain of White River, which is located in southeast Arkansas near where the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers meet. The South CC Camp Road (Route 11) within the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge is a gravel road used by the public visiting the Refuge. During large rain events and seasonal flooding, the water flows over the road and it becomes inaccessible. More recent flooding seasons have been severe and have caused damage to the roadway and erosion of the bank. At the south end of the route, the road is losing ground to Big Island Chute, an offshoot of White River. On the north side of the roadway at this location there is a steep hill, which is the location of a cemetery and the start of private property that borders the Refuge.
Financial Information
| Obligation(s) | FY 23 | FY 24 (est.) | FY 25 (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formula Grants Total | $333,574,864 | $202,908,650 | $381,000,000 |
| Totals | $333,574,864 | $202,908,650 | $381,000,000 |
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2024: This Arkansas project benefits the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge. The work consists of providing an engineering solution to the continued erosion of the roadway embankment along the Big Island Chute, installation of low water crossings at three locations where frequent washouts affect vehicular access, and select clearing to improve the drainage along portions of the more than 5 miles of South CC Camp Rd. White River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1935 and it was renamed Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge in 2014. It is home to diverse species of trees, woody plants, and animals. The South CC Camp Road has been in place in some form since the 1800s and is the primary access from Refuge HQ to the Farm Unit. It mainly lies in the floodplain of White River, which is located in southeast Arkansas near where the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers meet. The South CC Camp Road (Route 11) within the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge is a gravel road used by the public visiting the Refuge. During large rain events and seasonal flooding, the water flows over the road and it becomes inaccessible. More recent flooding seasons have been severe and have caused damage to the roadway and erosion of the bank. At the south end of the route, the road is losing ground to Big Island Chute, an offshoot of White River. On the north side of the roadway at this location there is a steep hill, which is the location of a cemetery and the start of private property that borders the Refuge.
Account Identification
69-8083-0-7-401
Criteria for Applying
Types of Assistance
A - Formula Grants
Credentials and Documentation
Applicant Eligibility
Designations
Federal, Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals, Federally Recognized lndian Tribal Governments, U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals)Only the owner of the affected transportation asset or assets may submit an application.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Designations
Federal, U.S. Territories, Local, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal GovernmentsState transportation departments, other State agencies, local agencies, and Federal agencies.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The funds made available under this program will be available for the current year plus three additional years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum
Use of Assistance
Designations
Planning, Transportation, Construction/Renewal/RehabilitationFunds made available under the Access Program shall be used to pay the cost of: A. transportation planning, research, engineering, preventive maintenance, rehabilitation, restoration, construction, and reconstruction of Federal Lands Access Transportation Facilities located on or adjacent to, or that provide access to, Federal land, and- i. adjacent vehicular parking areas; ii. acquisition of necessary scenic easements and scenic or historic sites; iii. provisions for pedestrians and bicycles; iv. environmental mitigation in or adjacent to Federal land to improve public safety and reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity; v. construction and reconstruction of roadside rest areas, including sanitary and water facilities; and vi. other appropriate public road facilities, as determined by the Secretary; B. operation and maintenance of transit facilities; and C. any transportation project eligible for assistance under title 23 that is within or adjacent to, or that provides access to, Federal land. In regard to (B) above, "operation and maintenance of transit facilities" includes the operation of all components of a transit system, including vehicles. The eligibility under (C) above includes transit capital projects eligible under Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, that are also eligible under title 23 and that are within or adjacent to, or that provides access to, Federal lands open to the public.By law, these funds are to be used on publicly owned or maintained transportation facilities open to the public.
Applying for Assistance
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. As required by law, a programming decisions committee (PDC) is responsible for the Access Program programming decisions in each State and must be comprised of a representative of:
• The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA);
• The State Department of Transportation; and
• An appropriate political subdivision of the State.
The representative for local governments should be from an organization or entity that is suited to represent the local entities responsible for building, operating, or maintaining transportation facilities that are located on, are adjacent to, or provide access to Federal lands. The local representative should work cooperatively with representatives of local public transportation providers that provide access to or within Federal recreation areas within the State.
Depending on State law, such entities could include the Association of County Engineers or Officials in many States. In States with only one or two Federal facilities, the local interests may best be represented by the Metropolitan or Regional Transportation Planning Organization, whose jurisdiction includes the Federal area. In other States where the predominant Federal facility is adjacent to a gateway community, the municipality or other local entity may be the appropriate representative. Regardless, the local representative should represent local interests for access to Federal lands statewide. The local representative may not be affiliated with or work for the Executive Branch of the Federal or State government. The FHWA will work with the State DOT to identify an appropriate local representative.
The PDC in each State should develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that may be part of a Statewide Program Agreement.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Each FLAP project is selected from a pool of applications submitted by the facility owner in response to a state-wide call for projects. The call for projects frequency is determined by the PDC based on the funds available. The applications are screened, rated, and ranked using the PDC approved rating criteria. The PDC agrees which projects met the established State program goals and conformed to the project ranking criteria. Based upon these evaluations, the proposed projects are recommended for programming within the available funding for each State.
Award Procedure
PDCs decide which projects will be developed within available funding. Award procedures will follow the procedures developed the delivery agency, as long as they are consistent with federal law. Projects administered by the FHWA Office of Federal Lands Highways or the FLMAs are subject to procurement processes identified in the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Project awards are subject the availability of funds.
Date Range for Approval/Disapproval
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Compliance Requirements
Policy Requirements
Subpart B, General provisions
Subpart C, Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards
Subpart D, Post Federal; Award Requirements
Subpart E, Cost Principles
Subpart F, Audit Requirements
Not Applicable
Additional Information:
Reports
Audits
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F
Records
Project records and documents must be retained by the State or other governmental recipients/ sub-recipients as specified in 2 CFR 200.333. For the Federal Lands Highway Program, the Federal Lands Highway Divisions maintain the project records.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
23 CFR, "Highways" and 49 CFR, "Transportation", and 2 CFR 200, Grants and Agreements. https://highways.dot.gov/ FLAP program - https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/flap
Formula and Matching Requirements
Matching requirements are voluntary.
Contact Information
Regional or Local Locations:
See Regional Assistance Locations. Regional Agency Offices. For specific State information visit https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/flapHeadquarters Office:
22001 Loudoun County Parkway Building E2, Suite 200,
Ashburn, VA 20147
jeffrey.mann@dot.gov
(703) 404-6230