; (3) shall only take place adjacent to the participant’s right-of-way or within 75 feet of the participant’s right-of-way; (4) shall not take place in any designated wilderness area, wilderness study area, or inventoried roadless area; and (5) shall be subject to approval by the Forest Service in accordance with this section. (d) Project costs A participant in the pilot program shall be responsible for all costs, as determined by the Secretary, incurred in participating in the pilot program, unless the Secretary determines that it is in the public interest for the Forest Service to contribute funds for a vegetation management project conducted under the pilot program. (e) Liability (1) In general Participation in the pilot program does not affect any existing legal obligations or liability standards that— (A) arise under the right-of-way for activities in the right-of-way; or (B) apply to fires resulting from causes other than activities conducted pursuant to an approved vegetation management project. (2) Project work A participant shall not be liable to the United States for damage proximately caused by activities conducted pursuant to an approved vegetation management project unless— (A) such activities were carried out in a manner that was grossly negligent or that violated criminal law