CASS LAKE — The National Visitor Use Monitoring survey will begin in the Chippewa National Forest on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Visitors to the forest may encounter contract employees conducting public surveys in developed and dispersed recreation sites and on Forest Service roads.
The voluntary surveys will be conducted through Sept. 30, 2026. All responses are confidential with names not included. Each interview is expected to last about 10 minutes.
The national survey is a Forest Service program conducted every five years, designed to gather information on forest use.
"Questions asked may include where you recreated in the forest, how many people traveled with you, how long you were in the forest, what other recreation sites you visited while in the forest and how satisfied you are with the facilities and services provided," stated a news release.
About a third of survey participants will be asked to complete a confidential survey on recreation spending during their trip to measure the economic impact to local communities.
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