This simplified dataset is appropriate for general mapping and analysis. In comparison to BasicOwnership, the SurfaceOwnership dataset provides more detail for advanced mapping and analysis. The purpose of these data is to provide display, identification, and analysis tools for determining current boundary information for Forest Service managers, GIS specialists, and others.

This data is derived from BdyOwn_LSRS_BasicOwnership. The original data was projected to EPSG: 5070, filtered to only include USDA Forest Service owned parcels and aggregated by Forest name. Full methodology can be reviewed in the ForestMAP Geospatial Project Record.