The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2023 updates the federal government's forest inventory and analysis program to better track forest resources, including carbon levels in forests and soils. The bill requires the U.S. Forest Service to modernize its data collection methods by incorporating new technologies like remote sensing and satellite imagery, conducting national surveys of timber products and woodland owners, and making forest data more accessible to the public while protecting private landowner information. The Secretary of Agriculture must submit an updated strategic plan to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment and then update it every five years thereafter, detailing how the agency will improve data collection, expand reporting on forest carbon, and collaborate with other government agencies and private sector partners. The bill also allows the Forest Service to establish an office or data platform to handle complex data requests from external organizations and to charge fees for processing those requests. Overall, the legislation aims to give policymakers, researchers, and the public better information about America's forests and their role in carbon storage.
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