FLH PDDM Chapter 9 - Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division

9.4.G. Right-of-Way and Utilities. (continued)d. Coordination with Acquisition Agency. Every highway agency responsible for acquiring right-of-wayhas a format and style that suits their method of operation. The R/W staff should meet with the acquisitionagency early in the design process to determine the format and style acceptable to all parties.The following general topics also merit discussion and resolution during the preparation of the right-of-wayplans.How should property lines and ownerships show on the plan sheets?Can construction plans and R/W plans be combined? For separate right-of-way plans, is it necessary tohave profile grade plan sheets? Are Federal-aid plan and profile sheets adequate or are separate sheetsnecessary?What is the policy for need, type, placement, and installation responsibility for R/W fencing?When the agency acquiring the right-of-way is also responsible for utility relocation agreements, whatadditional requirements are necessary to complete the plans?What is the process for modifying R/W plans after the acquisition agency has given final approval to theplans?Sometimes the cooperating agency requests FHWA to furnish descriptions of the R/W needed. Sometimesthe request is for a metes and bounds description. See Exhibit 9.15 for a sample description for parcel No. 9shown on the R/W plans (Exhibits 9.12, 9.13, and 9.14).e. Right-of-Way through National Forest Lands. In those cases where the acquisition agency and the ForestService request that FHWA prepare right-of-way plans over National Forest Lands, the above plan preparationinstructions apply. When the cooperator is a State highway agency, the R/W plans should comply with thememorandum of understanding between the State and the Forest Service. When the acquisition agency is acounty or other local government entity, the State Highway Agency may assist the county in obtaining theappropriate easement deeds for the highway construction. The process will be expedited and function quitesmoothly if the designer coordinates the procedures through the appropriate FHWA Federal-aid Divisionright-of-way office.Monumentation of the final right-of-way through National Forest Land, if requested, should be in conformancewith the memorandum of understanding between the State and Forest Service.f. Right-of-Way Acquisition. Right-of-way acquisition shall be in accordance with the Uniform RelocationAssistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970.Send the final right-of-way plans and supporting documentation to the agency responsible for acquiring theright-of-way and request them to proceed with the acquisition process. Although not mandatory, it is desirablethat the plans and request for acquisition be sent through the appropriate FHWA Division Administrator.It is also desirable to hold a field review of the right-of-way as proposed. All attending parties should resolveresponsibility and timing for the various R/W clearance activities. Discuss the schedule for clearances,monitoring activities, contact personnel, delegation of authority, and related matters and record the decisionsfrom the field review.9 - 109