Transportation Department Docket FHWA-2025-0016 Final Rule

2025-19904: Rescinding Regulations Regarding Management Systems Pertaining to the Forest Service and the Forest Highway Program

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Summary

FHWA rescinds the regulations regarding the Federal Lands Highway Program (FLHP), and the management systems for the Forest Service and the Forest Highway Program.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

The rule, in full

1,621 words as published, November 17, 2025. View the original →

Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 219 (Monday, November 17, 2025) [Federal Register Volume 90, Number 219 (Monday, November 17, 2025)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 51109-51110] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2025-19904] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration 23 CFR Part 971 [Docket Number FHWA-2025-0016] RIN 2125-AG22 Rescinding Regulations Regarding Management Systems Pertaining to the Forest Service and the Forest Highway Program

Agency

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

Action

Final rule. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary

FHWA rescinds the regulations regarding the Federal Lands Highway Program (FLHP), and the management systems for the Forest Service and the Forest Highway Program.

Dates

This final rule is effective December 17, 2025.

For Further Information Contact

Corey Bobba, Office of Federal Lands Highways, (202) 366-9489, [email protected]; or James Esselman, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-6181, [email protected], Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Supplementary Information

Electronic Access and Filing This document, as well as the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), and all comments received, may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov using the docket number listed above. Electronic retrieval assistance and guidelines are available on the website. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. An electronic copy of this document may also be downloaded from the Office of Federal Register's website at www.federalregister.gov and the U.S. Government Publishing Office's website at www.GovInfo.gov.

I. General Discussion

FHWA is rescinding the rule issued on February 27, 2004, Federal Lands Highway Program; Management Systems Pertaining to the Forest Service and the Forest Highway Program, via 69 FR 9476, amending title 23 CFR part 971. That rule provided for the development and implementation of safety, bridge, pavement, and congestion management systems for transportation facilities providing access to and within the National Forests and Grasslands and funded under the FLHP as required by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) (Pub. L. 105-178) (June 9, 1998). FHWA has determined that this part is unnecessary and has rescinded it in full. Section 1115(d)(1) of TEA-21 amended the version of 23 U.S.C. 204 that existed at the time to add a paragraph (a)(6) stating: ``The Secretary and the Secretary of each appropriate Federal land management agency shall, to the extent appropriate, develop by rule safety, bridge, pavement, and congestion management systems for roads funded under the Federal lands highway program.'' The roads funded under the FLHP included Forest Highways. Through 23 CFR part 971, FHWA addressed the management systems for the Forest Service and the Forest Highway Program. See 69 FR at 9476-77. On July 6, 2012, Congress enacted the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 112-141). Section 1119(a) of MAP-21 removed the FLHP under 23 U.S.C. 204, replacing that program with the Tribal Transportation Program (23 U.S.C. 202), the Federal Lands Transportation Program (23 U.S.C. 203), and the Federal Lands Access Program (23 U.S.C. 204). In doing so, Congress repealed the previous version of 23 U.S.C. 204(a)(6) and replaced it with a similar provision at 23 U.S.C. 201(c)(5), which has remained unchanged. Under that provision, FHWA ``and the Secretary of each appropriate Federal land management agency shall, to the extent appropriate, implement safety, bridge, pavement, and congestion management systems for facilities funded under the Tribal transportation program and the Federal lands transportation program in support of asset management.'' The current regulations have become outdated due to subsequent statutory changes, and FHWA has issued more up-to-date guidance. FHWA also finds it significant that Congress, in enacting MAP-21, retained the same general requirements for asset management in 23 U.S.C. 201(c)(5) but replaced the phrase ``develop by rule'' with the word ``implement.'' To the extent that FHWA and Federal land management agencies agree that safety, bridge, pavement, and congestion management systems are appropriate for certain facilities, such systems can be implemented without the need for regulations. On May 30, 2025, at 90 FR 22885, FHWA published an NPRM proposing to remove 23 CFR part 971 and sought comment on all aspects of that proposal. FHWA received two comments on its proposal, both of which were outside the scope of this rulemaking. As such, FHWA adopts the proposal without change.

A. Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review), and DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures This rule does not meet the criteria of a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, as amended. Therefore, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not reviewed this rule under those orders. This rule would rescind outdated regulations regarding asset management. It could result in some cost savings for the Forest Service, but FHWA does not have the data to estimate the reduction in costs that would result from this rule. The Agency requested comment on any impacts that could result from removing the provisions identified in the NPRM, but did not receive any additional information. These changes would not adversely affect, in a material way, any sector of the economy. In addition, these changes would not interfere with any action taken or planned by another agency and would not materially alter the budgetary impact of any entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs. Consequently, a full regulatory evaluation is not required.

B. Executive Order 14192 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation)

This rule is not an E.O. 14192 regulatory action. Cost-savings are not quantified.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612) (as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996; 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), Agencies must prepare and make available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that [[Page 51110]] describes the effect of the rule on small entities (i.e., small businesses, small organizations, and small government jurisdictions). No regulatory flexibility analysis is required, however, if the head of an Agency or an appropriate designee certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. FHWA has concluded and hereby certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities; therefore, an analysis is not included. This rule removes regulations governing management systems that guide the Forest Service in developing transportation plans and making resource allocation decisions.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

This rule does not impose unfunded mandates as defined by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104-4, 109 Stat. 48) for State, local and Tribal governments, or the private sector of $100 million or more in any one year. Thus, the rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.

E. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism Assessment)

This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and criteria contained in E.O. 13132. FHWA has determined that this action does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism assessment. FHWA has also determined that this action does not preempt any State law or State regulation or affect the States' ability to discharge traditional State governmental functions.

F. Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), an Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information, unless the collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. This rule is deregulatory and so would not impose any additional information collection requirements.

G. National Environmental Policy Act

FHWA has analyzed this rule pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and has determined that it is categorically excluded under 23 CFR 771.117(c)(2), which applies to the promulgation of rules, regulations, and directives. Categorically excluded actions meet the criteria for categorical exclusions under 23 CFR 771.117(a) and normally do not require any further NEPA approvals by FHWA. This rule would remove requirements regarding safety, bridge, pavement, and congestion management systems that are currently outdated. FHWA does not anticipate any adverse environmental impacts from this rule, and no unusual circumstances are present under 23 CFR 771.117(b).

H. Executive Order 13175 (Tribal Consultation)

E.O. 13175 requires Federal Agencies to consult and coordinate with Tribes on a government-to-government basis on policies that have Tribal implications, including regulations, legislative comments or proposed legislation, and other policy statements or actions that have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes. FHWA has assessed the impact of this rule on Indian tribes and determined that this rule would not have tribal implications that require consultation under E.O. 13175.

I. Regulation Identifier Number

A Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) is assigned to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in the spring and fall of each year. The RIN contained in the heading of this document can be used to cross reference this action with the Unified Agenda.

J. Rulemaking Summary, 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(4)

As required by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(4), a summary of this rule can be found at regulations.gov, under the docket number. List of Subjects in 23 CFR Part 971 Bridges, Grant program--transportation, Highways and roads, National forests, Public lands, Safety, Transportation. Issued in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.85. Sean McMaster, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration. PART 971--[REMOVED AND RESERVED] 0 For the reasons stated in the preamble and under the authority of 23 U.S.C. 315, FHWA removes and reserves 23 CFR part 971. [FR Doc. 2025-19904 Filed 11-14-25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P

What this changes

Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

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