FLT request

U.S. Department Of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Florida Division
545 John Knox Road, Suite 200
Tallahassee, Florida 32303
Phone: (850) 553-2200
Fax: (850) 942-9691 I 942-8308
www.fhwa.dot.gov/fldiv
January 16, 2015

In Reply Refer To:
HRW-FL

Mr. Michael Herrin Acting Forest Supervisor
Department of Agriculture/U.S. Forest Service 325 John Knox Road, Suite F-100
Tallahassee, Florida 32303-4160

Attention: Mr. Kyle Jones

Dear Mr. Herrin:

In accordance with Title 23 U.S.C., Section 317, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requests a Letter of Consent and any required stipulations to transfer certain National Forest System lands within the Ocala National Forest to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for highway purposes. The FDOT is planning road and capacity improvements along State Road 40 in Lake and Marion Counties and have determined that property needed for the project is located within the Ocala National Forest. The proposed improvements and required National Forest System lands are more fully described in the attached FDOT Request for Federal Land Transfer letter, dated January 13, 2015. Pursuant to Title 23 U.S.C., Section 317, FHWA has received an application from the FDOT for conveyance of highway easements for the National Forest lands required for the project.

For your use in considering the FDOT request, we are enclosing (via e-mail) the following:

A copy of the FDOT application for transfer of the required lands, including a statement of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other applicable Federal environmental laws.
A draft copy of the FDOT Highway Easement Deeds, showing the Recitals to be included in the easement deeds.
Legal descriptions of the property required for the project.
A copy of the Right-of-Way maps which depict the required lands.

We have reviewed the FDOT application and have determined that the lands requested are reasonably necessary for the proposed highway improvement. Accordingly, the FHWA endorses the FDOT request and seeks your favorable consideration of the application.

If additional information is needed to assist you in your review of this application, please contact Mr. Brian Telfair of this office at (850) 553-2208 or email brian.telfair@dot.gov.

Sincerely,

FOR: James Christian
Division Administrator

Enclosures (via e-mail)

cc: Mr. Jack Adkins, District Right-of-Way Manager, FDOT (District 5)