FHWA and Controlling Agencies have developed manuals, handbooks, and other guidance materials to lead practitioners through the FLT process. This page provides links to these procedural resources.
The contents of the FHWA documents listed below do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. The documents are intended only to provide clarity regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
| FHWA Manual for FLT for Federal Aid Projects | FHWA's primary internal direction for processing FLTs. |
|---|---|
| General Services Administration Real Property Utilization and Disposal | The website offers information on GSA's procedures for real property utilization and disposal. |
| Bureau of Reclamation Use Authorizations and Permitting | The website offers information on BOR's procedures for use authorizations and permitting. |
| Bureau of Reclamation Manual, Directives and Standards, Use Authorizations, LND 08-01 | This document provides standard procedures for issuing use authorization documents such as easements, leases, licenses, and permits that allow others to use Reclamation lands and interests in its lands, facilities, and water surfaces. |
| U.S. Forest Service Manual 2700 | The USFS Manual contains legal authorities, goals, objectives, policies, responsibilities, instructions, and guidance that USFS line officers and primary staff need on a continuing basis to plan and execute assigned programs and activities. |
| Bureau of Land Management Land Exchange Handbook | This handbook provides guidance for the consideration of land exchanges to ensure that statutory and regulatory requirements are followed and that the public interest is protected. |
| How-to Guide for FLTs from Alaska | This guide from the FHWA Alaska Division Office gives staff direction on how to process FLTs in the State. |
| Caltrans Right-of-Way Manual Chapter 6.13: Right-of-Way Engineering – Federal Lands | Chapter 6 Section 13 of Caltrans' Right-of-Way Manual provides detailed information on how to process FLTs in California. |
|---|---|
| Florida DOT Right-of-Way Procedures Manual Section 7.10 | Section 7.10 provides procedures for the FDOT to use when acquiring right-of-way from governmental agencies. |
| Georgia DOT External Right-of-Way Manual Section 8.9 | Section 8.9 of GDOT's Right of Manual describes the steps practitioners should follow when conducting FLTs in Georgia. |
| Maine DOT Right-of-Way Manual | Chapter 5-1.06 of Maine DOT's Right-of-Way Manual describes the department's procedures when it determines that a project will necessitate acquisition of rights of federally-owned property. |
| Mississippi DOT ROW Operations Manual: Federal Land Transfers | These procedures document the responsibilities of Mississippi DOT's Acquisition Section for transferring Federal land to Mississippi DOT, as needed, for transportation projects. |
| Nebraska DOT Right-of-Way Manual | Section 1.14 of the Nebraska DOT Right-of-Way Manual contains the provisions of the Department's process for conducting FLTs. |
| Texas DOT Right-of-Way Acquisition Manual | Chapter 11, Section 2 provides details on TXDOT's methods for acquiring federal lands. Provisions specific to a number of federal agencies are provided. |
| Utah DOT Manual of Instruction for Right-of-Way Design | Section 4.31 to 4.33 describes agency-specific (e.g., BLM, USFS) procedures that Utah DOT follows when undertaking a FLT. |
| Wisconsin Real Estate Program Manual | Section 3.5.18 of Wisconsin DOT's Real Estate Program Manual provides the process WisDOT or its nominee should use when a FLT is necessary. |
