Congressional committee reports indicate that the fiscal year (FY) 2004 Interior and related agencies appropriation bill will likely provide the Forest Service with authority to convey 10 sites on National Forest System lands. This authority is essentially an extension of the pilot authority provided in the FY 2002 and FY 2003 appropriation bills. The authority is limited to conveyance of buildings and structures, and may include the lands on which these improvements are located. It is possible that proceeds from up to five of the ten conveyances will be available for new construction. The remaining projects will be limited to using proceeds for maintenance.

It is important we identify a large pool of conveyances for both maintenance and construction that provide maximum benefit to the Agency and that can be executed in an expeditious manner. This will ensure we are prepared to begin work on the conveyances soon after the appropriation bill is signed into law. Successful and prompt implementation of these projects will demonstrate the Forest Service can use conveyance authority to improve its operations and provide benefit to the public.

Sites that are closest to being ready for actual disposal will be the most successful candidates.

Please fill out the enclosure and email them to Bill Hamele via whamele/wo/usdafs@fsnotes by September 1, 2003. If you have any questions, feel free to call Cindy Swanson at (202) 205-2818 or Bill at (703) 605-4522.