Special Uses - Fees and Payments

Payment Options

Where do Land Use Fees Go?

In general, special use rental fees are re-distributed to counties where the use and occupancy occurs on national forests and grasslands. This critical funding is intended to support rural schools, road projects, as well as emergency services and equipment. The few exceptions include fee retention authorities where the fees come back to the Forest Service to improve the special uses program and provide opportunities to better serve the communities and cooperators.

Law, Regulation and Policy

Annual Fee Updates

Minor cost recovery fees, recreation residences, adjusted gross revenue brackets for the Ski Area Permit fees, Implicit Price Deflator-Gross Domestic Product fee schedules, and the linear right-of-way fee schedule get updated on an annual basis.

Forest Service Handbook 2709.11 – Special Uses Handbook

Chapter 30 – Land Use Fee Determination Amendment: 2709.11-2026-1 (Effective Date: April 28, 2026)

Debt Collection

Process and Procedures

Process and Procedures 7 CFR Part 3
Forest Service Debt Management FSH6509.11h, Ch. 22 - 25
Managing Federal Receivables

Supporting Documentation

Process and Procedures U.S. Debt Treasury Cross Servicing

Fee Determination Methods

Appraisal

Common method to determine fair market value (FSH 5409.12, Ch. 50).

Land Use Fees Based on Income

Graduated Rate Fee System (FSM 2715.11 to 2715.11e)
Concession Fees (FSM 2715.14).

Competition

Establish a land use fee through competitive procedures if competitive interest exists (FSM 2712.1; FSH 2709.11, Ch. 31.1

Land Use Fee System and Schedule

Recreation Residence

(FSM 2715.11 to 2715.11e; FSH 2709.11, Ch. 30, section 33)

Resorts/Marinas

(See GRFS Section & FSM 2715.11)

Federally Owned Facilities - Granger-Thye

(FSM 2715.13)

Linear Rights-of-Way

(FSH 2709.11, Ch. 30, section 35.4) The Linear Rights-of-Way fee method is derived from National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) data. A new Census of Agriculture is published by NASS every five years. The 2022 NASS Census will be used by BLM to develop a revised linear rent schedule for 2026 through 2035. Current Linear Rent Schedule 2016 - 2025