Notice2026-06166
Information Collection; Commercial Use of the Woodsy Owl Symbol
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 31, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service (Agency) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the renewal of a currently approved information collection, Commercial Use of the Woodsy Owl Symbol.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 61 (Tuesday, March 31, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15945-15946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06166]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Commercial Use of the Woodsy Owl Symbol
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service (Agency) is seeking comments from all interested
individuals and organizations on the renewal of a currently approved
information collection, Commercial Use of the Woodsy Owl Symbol.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 1, 2026
to be assured of consideration.
[[Page 15946]]
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to:
USDA, Forest Service, Iris Velez, National Symbols Program Manager,
USDA Forest Service, National Symbols Cache, 402 SE 11th Street, Grand
Rapids, MN 55744. Comments also may be submitted by email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6f061d061c41190a030a152f1a1c0b0e41080019"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8be2f9e2f8a5fdeee7eef1cbfef8efeaa5ece4fd">[email protected]</span></a>.
Comments submitted in response to this notice may be made available
to the public through relevant websites and upon request. For this
reason, please do not include in your comments information of a
confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or
proprietary information. If you send an email comment, your email
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available for
public viewing. Please note that comments containing any routine notice
about the confidentiality of the communication will be treated as
public comments that may be made available to the public
notwithstanding the inclusion of the routine notice.
The public may request that an electronic copy of the supporting
documents for the information collection and/or any comments received
be sent via return email. Requests should be emailed to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5c352e352f722a393039261c292f383d723b332a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afc6ddc6dc81d9cac3cad5efdadccbce81c8c0d9">[email protected]</span></a> The information collection request is posted online
at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/">https://www.regulations.gov/</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Iris Velez, National Symbols Program
Manager, 202-316-3969; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#533a213a207d25363f362913262037327d343c25"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afc6ddc6dc81d9cac3cad5efdadccbce81c8c0d9">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who are deaf,
hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may call 711 to reach the
Telecommunications Relay Service then provide the phone number of the
person named as a point of contact for further information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Commercial Use of the Woodsy Owl Symbol.
OMB Number: 0596-0164.
Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2026.
Type of Review: Extension with Revision of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: The Woodsy Owl-Smoky Bear Act of 1974 established the
Woodsy Owl symbol and slogan, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture
to manage the use of the slogan and symbol, authorizes the licensing of
the symbol for commercial use, and provides for continued protection of
the symbol. Part 272 of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations
authorizes the Chief of the Forest Service to approve commercial use of
the Woodsy Owl symbol and to collect royalty fees. Commercial use
includes replicating Woodsy Owl symbol or logo on items, such as tee
shirts, mugs, pins, figurines, ornaments, stickers, and toys and using
the image and or slogan of the icon in motion pictures, documentaries,
TV, magazine stories, books, magazines, and other for-profit paper
products.
Woodsy Owl is America's symbol for the conservation of the
environment. The public service campaign slogans associated with Woodsy
Owl are ``Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute'' and ``Lend a Hand, Care for the
Land.'' The mission statement of the Woodsy Owl's conservation campaign
is to help young children discover the natural world and join in life-
long actions to care for that world.
The USDA Forest Service National Symbols Program Manager will use
the collected information to determine if the applicant will receive a
license or renewal of an existing license and the associated royalty
fees. Information collected includes, but is not limited to, tenure of
business or non-profit organization, current or planned products,
physical location, projected sales volume, and marketing plans.
Licensees submit quarterly reports, which include:
1. A list of each item sold with the Woodsy Owl symbol.
2. Projected sales of each item.
3. Sales price of each item.
4. Total sales subject to Forest Service royalty fee.
5. Royalty fee is due based on sales quantity and price.
6. Description and itemization of deductions (such as fees waived
or previously paid as part of advance royalty payment).
7. New total royalty fee the business or organization must pay
after deductions.
8. Running total amount of royalties accrued in that fiscal year;
and
9. Typed name and signature of the business or organizational
employee certifying the truth of the report.
Data gathered in this information collection is not available from
other sources.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 1 hour.
Type of Respondents: Individuals.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 21.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondents: 4.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20 hours.
Comment is Invited:
Comment is invited on (1) whether this collection of information is
necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the
functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have
practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency's
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
All comments received in response to this notice, including names
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record.
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request for
Office of Management and Budget approval.
Lisa Northrop,
Associate Deputy Chief State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, National
Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2026-06166 Filed 3-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.