Requests - USDA Forest Service Quality of Information (QOI)

Information Requirements

This guidance for the content of requests for correction of information is not intended to constitute a set of legally binding requirements. However, the Forest Service may be unable to process, in a timely fashion or at all, requests that omit one or more of the requested elements. Requestors bear the "burden of proof" with respect to the necessity for correction as well as with respect to the type of correction they seek. The Forest Service will base its decision on the merits of the information provided by the requestor.

Requests for correction of information should include the following elements:

Statement that the Request for Correction of Information is Submitted Under USDA's Information Quality Guidelines

Requestor Contact Information
The name, mailing address, telephone number, fax number (if any), email address (if any), and organizational affiliation (if any) of the person requesting the correction.

Description of Information to Correct
The name of the Forest Service publication, report, or data product; the date of issuance or other identifying information such as the URL of the web page; and a detailed description that clearly identifies the specific information contained in that publication, report, or data product for which a correction is being sought.

Explanation of Noncompliance with OMB and/or USDA Information Quality Guidelines
An explanation that describes how the information fails to meet either the OMB or USDA Information Quality Guidelines.

Explanation of the Effect of the Alleged Error
An explanation that describes the requestor's use of the information in question and how the requestor is affected by the alleged error.

Recommendation and Justification for How the Information Should Be Corrected
The requestor should state specifically how the information should be corrected and explain why the corrections should be made. A request for correction that is specific and provides evidence to support the need for correction is likely to be more persuasive than a request that is general, unfocused, or that simply indicates disagreement with the information in question.