The Roads and Trails Fund is one of the smaller U.S. Forest Service “trust funds” that depend on the federal timber program. Forest Service trust funds are similar in many ways to a private bank account. These funds allow the Forest Service to deposit and withdraw money without guidance from Congress. Unlike most other government spending, these funds do not receive annual appropriations from Congress, which means they are not subject to Congressional or public oversight. This lack of accountability to Congress and the American public is one of the primary reasons that these funds are so abused by forest managers across the country.

WHAT IS THE “ROADS & TRAILS FUND”?
Also known as the “Ten Percent Fund”, the Roads and Trails Fund was established in 1913 to augment annual appropriations for road and trail construction in National Forests. Specifically, 10% of all revenue that is generated from National Forest activities are permanently diverted to this account.

PROBLEMS WITH THE ROADS & TRAILS FUND:
The biggest problem with the Roads and Trails Fund is the lack of oversight from Congress and the American people. Since this trust fund is not subject to annual appropriations from Congress, forest managers do not receive explicit instructions on how the money should be spent. Therefore, the Forest Service can spend money on virtually anything they want without oversight from Congress or the general public.

THE SOLUTION:
In order to rectify these abuses, the Roads and Trails Fund should be subject to Congress’ annual appropriations process. Since this would require that Congress earmark a fixed dollar amount for the construction of roads and trails in the National Forests, the Forest Service would be forced to become accountable to Congress and the American taxpayer.