Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads

The Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) Program provides assistance to roads that have been defined as Federal roads. These are roads providing access to and within Federal and Indian lands. They include Forest Highways, Forest Development Roads, Park Roads, Parkways, Indian Reservation Roads, Public Lands Highways (including Refuge Roads) and Public Lands Development Roads. This is different from the Emergency Relief Program for Federal- aid highways such as the Interstate system.

The Federal share for the repair of Federal roads is 100 percent under the ERFO Program. Funds for the ERFO Program are provided from the Highway Trust Fund.

ERFO funds are not to duplicate assistance under another Federal program or compensation from insurance, cost share, or any other source.

The intent of the ERFO Program is to pay the unusually heavy expenses to agencies, that manage road systems, for the repair and reconstruction of Federal roads to pre-disaster conditions. These Federal roads were damaged by a natural disaster over a wide area or by a catastrophic failure from any external cause. The ERFO Program is intended to supplement the commitment of resources by Federal agencies to help pay unusually heavy expenses resulting from extraordinary conditions.

The ERFO Manual and videotape provides detailed program guidance and instructions on how Federal agencies, State transportation departments, Indian tribal governments, and local highway authorities can apply for ERFO funding for road damage.