Sale of Facilities for Offsite Removal
The Forest Service has unlimited authority to sell structures for offsite removal that are worth less than $50,000 fair market value. The fair market value is the net value after costs for moving, dismantling, restoring the site, and related costs have been deducted from the value of the structure.
If your excess structure is worth more than $50,000 it may be sold separately from the land as part of a Forest Service Facility Realignment Act (FSFREA) conveyance, or through GSA. Proceeds may be retained if it is sold under FSFREA.
Sale of Land With or Without Facilities
The sale authorities for land, including lands containing excess facilities, are limited in scope and application. They include the Pilot Conveyance Authority legislation affecting certain sites selected between 2002 and 2005, the Forest Service Facility Realignment Act (FSFREA) legislation allowing sale of excess administrative sites to be initiated through September 30, 2011, and several other specific acts. Lands staffers can determine whether any of these authorities and acts apply to specific excess sites.
Unless the sale of an excess facility is authorized under the Pilot Conveyance Authority, the FSFREA, or other special legislation, the unit cannot keep the proceeds from the sale. The unit will not be responsible for continuing maintenance costs and "cost pool 9" assessments once the facility is no longer owned by the Forest Service, so there is a long-term financial advantage whether or not proceeds can be retained.
Process and Decision Tree
A process and decision tree has been assembled to show how the disposal process works. The tree is complex, but all the steps must be followed to sell an excess facility. The very first step is to discuss the potential sale with the unit property management officer and with the lands officer if the sale includes land.