November 2, 2026

U.S. — FOREST SERVICE / FINAL RULE PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2

Forest Service changes leasing rules for potential workforce housing

A Forest Service rule published November 2 removes administrative-site leases from the agency’s special-use regulations. Effective December 2, the change is intended to make redevelopment partnerships with municipalities and private developers easier to finance.

The agency says special-use terms have constrained lenders’ collateral, lease transfers and project financing. Its October 30 announcement identifies potential housing for employees and community members as one use of eligible administrative properties.

The rule changes how existing leasing authority operates; it does not create new land-sale authority. Environmental review, historic-preservation requirements, public notice and local-government consultation still apply to individual projects.

Existing authorizations may continue under their original terms or, by mutual agreement and after applicable requirements are met, be replaced with leases under the relevant statute. The announcement does not identify a new list of available housing sites.

Final rule, scope and December 2 effective date → · Original Forest Service announcement →

INTERNATIONAL — SWEDEN / OCTOBER 30 DEMERGER PLAN

Stora Enso sets a timetable for separating its Swedish forest business

Stora Enso’s board approved a plan October 30 to separate its Swedish forest business into Bergslagets Skogar, a proposed listed company with more than 1.2 million hectares of forest land. Management will present the business at a November 3 Capital Markets Day in Stockholm.

The planned completion date is March 31, 2027, subject to shareholder approval and other conditions. An extraordinary general meeting is expected December 15; the separation has not yet been completed.

The proposed company targets average annual net standing-stock growth of 1% and a long-term annual free-cash-flow return of 2%. Its intended ordinary dividend is 80–100% of adjusted net income. These are targets and policy intentions, rather than guaranteed returns.

Stora Enso says the split would give forest management and land development their own capital-allocation focus while sharpening the remaining group’s emphasis on renewable materials and packaging.

Original board announcement, targets and conditional timetable → · Forest asset base and November 3 presentation →

CANADA — BRITISH COLUMBIA / NOVEMBER 24, IN PERSON

British Columbia forest-policy seminar examines what can change

The University of British Columbia will host an open, in-person forest-policy seminar November 24, from noon to 1 p.m., in CAWP 2916, the Caseroom. The October 29 notice lists no online participation option.

Forest-policy economist Harry Nelson will examine prospects for change, including how institutions mediate forest conflicts and contribute to policy gridlock. His presentation draws on research and policy-development experience, including the recently concluded independent review by the Forest Policy Advisory Council, whose report appeared in February.

The event offers discussion of the policy process affecting forest stewardship, forestry-dependent communities and workers. It is a research seminar, rather than an announcement of adopted provincial reforms.

Official seminar notice, location and speaker background →