Forest Service Refreshes National Woodland Owner Poll
Published Date: 4/13/2026
Notice
Summary
The Forest Service is updating and extending the National Woodland Owner Survey, which collects info from people who own forest land across the U.S. They want your thoughts on the changes by June 12, 2026. This helps keep the survey useful without adding extra hassle or costs for woodland owners.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Forest Owners Will Be Sampled Nationwide
The Forest Service will contact a statistically selected set of people and organizations who own forestland using public records (names and addresses) and remote sensing. The base target is 50 sampled ownerships per state (or substate) per year, which yields an estimated 2,650 ownership responses annually at a historic 29% response rate and an overall estimated 19,447 ownerships contacted per year.
Survey Data Will Inform Forest Policy
The Forest Service will use the survey results to help policy analysts, foresters, educators, and researchers plan and implement forest policies and programs and to give landowners and the public a better understanding of forestland ownership. The information supports national, regional, and state-level planning and is intended to complete the 2024–2028 NWOS cycle if renewed.
Time Burden to Respond (Estimated Minutes)
If you are asked to respond, the estimated time to complete the survey is 25 minutes for families, individuals, and corporate owners; 60 to 120 minutes for Tribal entities; and 15 minutes for public entities. The Forest Service estimates a total annual respondent burden of 3,090 hours and that outreach materials impose 1–3 minutes of time per contact.
You May Get Up To Four Contacts; Online Option Available
Respondents may receive up to four contacts: a pre-notice postcard, the mailed survey with a prepaid return envelope, a reminder, and a replacement survey; telephone follow-up will be used for non‑respondents. The primary instrument is a paper form, but respondents will have the option to complete the survey electronically online.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08937 — Administrative Site Leases
The Forest Service wants to change the rules for leasing land used for their own offices and operations, making it more like how private real estate works. This means fewer regulations for these administrative site leases, which could speed things up and make leasing simpler. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until June 5, 2026, to share them!
2026-08681 — Information Collection; Equal Opportunity Program Delivery Compliance Review Tool
The Forest Service is keeping its Equal Opportunity Program Delivery Compliance Review Tool for another term without changes. This tool helps make sure everyone gets fair treatment in programs, and folks involved with federal programs should know it’s staying active. If you want to share your thoughts, send them by July 6, 2026—no extra costs or new rules, just a smooth extension!
2026-08623 — Information Collection: Qualified Products Lists for Fire Chemicals for Wildland Fire Management
The Forest Service is renewing its list of approved fire chemicals used to fight wildfires and wants your feedback by July 6, 2026. This update affects companies making fire chemicals and helps keep wildfire fighting safe and effective. No big costs or changes, just making sure the info stays fresh and useful!
2026-07974 — National Forests and Grasslands in Texas; Oil and Gas Leasing Availability Analysis Environmental Impact Statement; Revised
The USDA is updating plans to decide which parts of Texas’ National Forests and Grasslands can be leased for oil and gas drilling. This affects local communities, energy companies, and the environment, with decisions expected by summer 2026. People have until April 28, 2026, to share their thoughts, and the project might change some forest rules and land use.
2026-07408 — Information Collection; SF-299 Application for Transportation, Utility Systems, Telecommunications and Facilities on Federal Lands and Property
The Forest Service is keeping the SF-299 form for applying to build or maintain transportation, utility, and telecom stuff on federal lands—no changes, just an extension. If you use or plan to use federal lands for these projects, this affects you! They want your comments by June 15, 2026, but there’s no new cost or extra paperwork coming your way.
2026-07103 — Information Collection: State Forest Law and Policy
The Forest Service wants to learn how states and territories manage and encourage good forest care on private and public lands. They’re asking for your thoughts by June 12, 2026, to help shape this new info collection. This effort affects state officials, landowners, and anyone interested in forest laws, with no direct costs but a chance to influence future policies.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-07100 — Information Collection Request; Inventory Property Management
The Farm Service Agency is updating how it collects info about inventory property, like land and equipment, to make sure buyers and leasers qualify and pay properly. This affects farmers and organizations dealing with farm loans and property. They want your feedback by June 12, 2026, to keep things fair and smooth without adding extra costs or delays.
Next: 2026-07103 — Information Collection: State Forest Law and Policy
The Forest Service wants to learn how states and territories manage and encourage good forest care on private and public lands. They’re asking for your thoughts by June 12, 2026, to help shape this new info collection. This effort affects state officials, landowners, and anyone interested in forest laws, with no direct costs but a chance to influence future policies.