Previous surveys were conducted in East Texas during 1935, 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985 and 1992. Increased demands for forest products and restricted timber supplies from regions such as the Pacific Northwest, however, have stimulated more intensive timberland management in the south and thus require shorter intervals between surveys. The 1998 Farm Bill replaced the periodic surveys of the past with a continuous survey system, where 20% of the plots are measured annually. In June of 2003, the first complete round of this new annual survey system was completed in East Texas. Results from the survey of East Texas timberland will be used to determine future fiber availability for mills in the area, as well as identifying areas of opportunity for forest-based economic development. They will also help determine the effectiveness of land management techniques, and programs that encourage reforestation and forest stewardship.

The 1998 Farm Bill also expanded the scope of the survey to include all rural lands in the state. This expanded survey will increase knowledge of state-wide issues, such as fire fuel loading, tree regeneration rates, invasive species encroachment, and overall forest health. The research findings will enable Texas ranchers and landowners to measure the spread of unwanted mesquite, juniper, or salt cedar that occupies grazing pastures and consumes scarce water. With more information about the spread of these encroaching species, local organizations can develop plans that will remove invasive species and maximize land efficiency.

FIA provides objective and scientifically credible information, and is part of the universal benchmark for measuring the sustainability and success of natural resource and land management practices. The results of this research will help landowners make informed decisions about managing their land for desired outcomes, whether it is to run cattle, attract wildlife or harvest trees for income.

Data is reported on a county, regional and statewide basis, ensuring the confidentiality of individual landowner information. FIA teams will not access private land without the landowner's permission.