[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 12, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63671-63674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29949]



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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 238 / Tuesday, December 12, 1995 / 
Notices  

[[Page 63671]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of Request for New Information Collection and Extension 
and Revision of Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Forest Service's intention to collect information 
necessary to implement the Forest Resources Conservation and Shortage 
Relief Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-382). New information collection is 
necessary to administer timber export restrictions. Extension and 
revision of currently approved existing information collection, 
included with this notice, is also necessary to administer timber 
export restrictions.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to: Dave Hessel, Director, 
Timber Management Staff, U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 96090, 
Washington, D.C. 20090-6090.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rex Baumback, Timber Sale Contract Administration Specialist, Timber 
Management Staff, U.S. Forest Service, at (202) 205-0855.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service needs this collection to 
assist in the administration of the Forest Resources Conservation and 
Shortage Relief Act of 1990 (Act). All new and revised collections 
mentioned in this notice are proposed to be consolidated under OMB 
Number 0596-0114:

New Information Collection Requirements

    Title: USDA, Forest Service Request for Timber Export and 
Substitution Information Collection.
    OMB Number: New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: New.
    Type of Request: The following collection requirements are new and 
have not received approval by the Office of Management and Budget. 
These collections are proposed to be consolidated with other 
collections under OMB Number 0596-0114.

36 CFR 223.187(a)(1)(i)

    Abstract: To validate that lumber and construction timbers (except 
western red cedar) have been manufactured to required grades (16 U.S.C. 
620e(7)(B)(i)), the shipper must retain a legible, certified copy of 
the lumber inspection certificate. This information collection 
requirement was identified in the proposed comprehensive rule published 
January 29, 1991 (56 FR 3354).
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden to retain lumber 
inspection certificates to validate that products have been 
manufactured to required grades is estimated to average 0.05 hours per 
response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for maintaining lumber 
inspection certificates (except western red cedar) are estimated to be 
40.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 40.
    Extimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 80.

36 CFR 223.187(b)(2)

    Abstract: To ensure that lumber products (except western red cedar) 
are processed for their intended use (16 U.S.C. 620e(7)(B)(i)), 
manufacturers are required to certify that the products are not 
intended for remanufacture. This information collection requirement was 
identified in the proposed comprehensive rule published January 29, 
1991 (56 FR 3354).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for certification that 
lumber products (except western red cedar) are not intended for 
remanufacture is estimated to average 0.20 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for certification that 
lumber products (except western red cedar) are not intended for 
remanufacture are estimated to be 40.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 40.
    Estimated total Annual Burden on Respondents: 320.

36 CFR 223.187(b)(3)

    Abstract: To ensure that pulpwood bolts are not intended for 
remanufacture, manufacturers are required to certify that the bolts are 
intended to be manufactured into pulp (16 U.S.C. 620e(7)(B)(viii)). 
This information requirement was added in the final comprehensive rule, 
published September 8, 1995 (60 FR 46890), in response to comments 
received on the proposed comprehensive rule.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for certification that 
pulpwood bolts are not intended for remanufacture is estimated to 
average 0.25 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for certification that 
pulpwood bolts are not intended for remanufacture are estimated to be 
3.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 33.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 25.

36 CFR 223.187(b)(5)

    Abstract: To assist enforcement of the Act, the certifications in 
36 CFR 223.187(b) (2) and (3) must be signed by someone with authority. 
Thus, a delegation of authority is required. This information 
requirement was added in the final comprehensive rule, published 
September 8, 1995 (60 FR 46890), in response to comments received on 
the proposed comprehensive rule.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for the delegation of 
authority is estimated to average 1.0 hour per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for the delegation of 
authority are estimated to be 43.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 43.
    
[[Page 63672]]


36 CFR 223.187(c)(1)

    Abstract: To validate that western red cedar lumber has been 
manufactured to required grades (16 U.S.C. 620b and 620e), the shipper 
must retain a legible, certified copy of the lumber inspection 
certificate. This information collection requirement was identified in 
the proposed comprehensive rule published January 29, 1991 (56 FR 
3354).
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden to retain lumber 
inspection certificates to validate that western red cedar products 
have been manufactured to required grades is estimated to average 0.05 
hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for lumber inspections 
certificates for western red cedar are estimated to be 7.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondents: 43.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15.

36 CFR 223.187(d)(1)

    Abstract: To ensure that western red cedar lumber products are 
processed for their intended use (16 U.S.C. 620b and 620e), 
manufacturers are required to certify that the products are not 
intended for remanufacture. This information requirement was added in 
the final comprehensive rule, published September 8, 1995 (60 FR 
46890), in response to comments received on the proposed comprehensive 
rule.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for certification that 
western red cedar lumber products are not intended for remanufacture is 
estimated to average 0.20 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for certification that 
western red cedar lumber products are not intended for remanufacture 
are estimated to be 7.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 43.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 60.

36 CFR 223.187(d)(3)

    Abstract: To assist in enforcement of the Act, the certification in 
36 CFR 223.187(d)(1) must be signed by someone with authority. Thus, a 
delegation of authority is required. This information requirement was 
added in the final comprehensive rule, published September 8, 1995 (60 
FR 46890), in response to comments received on the proposed 
comprehensive rule.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for the delegation of 
authority is estimated to average 1.0 hour per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for delegation of 
authority are estimated to be 7.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 7.

36 CFR 223.190(a)

    Abstract: An exporter of unprocessed timber that intends to 
affiliate with a purchaser of Federal timber may apply for a sourcing 
area if they certify their intent to affiliate (16 U.S.C. 620b(c)(3)). 
This certification is necessary to ensure that sourcing area 
applications are processed only when there is demonstrated intent to 
affiliate. This information requirement was added in the final 
comprehensive rule, published September 8, 1995 (60 FR 46890), in 
response to comments received on the proposed comprehensive rule.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for certification of 
intent to affiliate is estimated to average 1.0 hour per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for certification of 
intent to affiliate are estimated to be 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1.

36 CFR 223.190(j)

    Abstract: Applicants for sourcing areas are required to certify 
that their applications are accurate and true. Respondents to the 
proposed regulations suggested that people who comment on sourcing area 
applications should submit accurate and true information, as well. This 
certification meets that need (16 U.S.C. 620b(c)(3)). This information 
requirement was added in the final comprehensive rule, published 
September 8, 1995 (60 FR 46890), in response to comments received on 
the proposed comprehensive rule.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden to certify comments 
on sourcing area applications is estimated to average 0.10 hours per 
response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents to certify comments on 
sourcing area applications are estimated to be 100.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10.

36 CFR 223.190(l)

    Abstract: A person with an approved sourcing area may choose to 
relinquish it (16 U.S.C. 620b(c)). It is important that this be a 
carefully considered decision; therefore, persons relinquishing a 
sourcing area are asked to sign a certification stating that they 
understand the consequences of relinquishing a sourcing area. This 
information requirement was added in the final comprehensive rule, 
published September 8, 1995 (60 FR 46890), in response to comments 
received on the proposed comprehensive rule.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for relinquishing a 
sourcing area is estimated to average 1.0 hour per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents; Respondents wishing to relinquish 
a sourcing area are estimated to be 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2.

36 CFR 223.193(b)

    Abstract: The Act requires each person who transfers unprocessed 
timber originating from Federal lands to provide such other person with 
a notice, acknowledgement, and agreement that the Federal timber will 
receive domestic processing (16 U.S.C. 620d(a)). This certification is 
necessary in order to prevent substitution of Federal timber for 
private timber that is exported. This information collection 
requirement was identified in the proposed comprehensive rule published 
January 29, 1991 (56 FR 3354).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for the certification 
concerning transfers of unprocessed timber originating from Federal 
lands is estimated to average 1.0 hour per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for the certification 
concerning transfers of unprocessed timber originating from Federal 
lands are estimated to be 500.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 25.
    
[[Page 63673]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,500.

36 CFR 223.194(b)

    Abstract: Except for private timber that is exempt from the export 
restrictions, the rule requires a certification that domestic 
processing is required for each transaction involving unprocessed 
private timber, pursuant to the Act's prohibition against substitution 
(16 U.S.C. 620b). This certification is necessary in order to prevent 
substitution of private timber that requires domestic processing for 
private timber that is exported. This information collection 
requirement was identified in the proposed comprehensive rule published 
January 29, 1991 (56 FR 3354).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for the certification 
required for transfers of private timber requiring domestic processing 
is estimated to average 0.50 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for the certification 
required for transfers of private timber requiring domestic 
manufacturing are estimated to be 500.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 20.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,000.

36 CFR 223.195(b)

    Abstract: The rule requires that all identifying marks placed on 
Federal logs and/or private logs that require domestic processing be 
retained or, if lost, replaced. This requirement is needed to maintain 
log identity until the log is processed, in order to enforce the Act's 
prohibition against substitution (16 U.S.C. 620b). This information 
collection requirement was identified in the proposed comprehensive 
rule published January 29, 1991 (56 FR 3354).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for the retention of 
identifying marks is estimated to average 1.0 hour per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for retention of 
identifying marks are estimated to be 100.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,000.

36 CFR 223.195(c)

    Abstract: The rule requires that National Forest System logs be 
branded and, if they require domestic processing, painted with highway 
yellow paint. This is necessary to show National Forest System timber 
sale origin and the domestic processing requirement, in order to 
enforce the Act's prohibition against exporting unprocessed Federal 
timber (16 U.S.C. 620a). This information collection requirement was 
identified in the proposed comprehensive rule published January 29, 
1991 (56 FR 3354).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for branding and 
painting National Forest System logs is estimated to average 3.33 hours 
per (sale) response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for branding and 
painting National Forest System logs are estimated to be 1,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,000.

36 CFR 223.195(d)

    Abstract: The rule requires that private logs that require domestic 
processing be painted with highway yellow paint. This is necessary to 
show the domestic processing requirement. This information collection 
requirement was identified in the proposed comprehensive rule published 
January 29, 1991 (56 FR 3354).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for painting private 
timber with highway yellow paint is estimated to average 2.25 hours per 
(sale) response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for painting private 
timber with highway yellow paint are estimated to be 2,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 13,500.

36 CFR 223.195(f)

    Abstract: The rule provides that branding requirements on National 
Forest System logs may be waived in certain situations in order to 
lessen the burden on timber purchasers without hindering the agency's 
ability to enforce the Act. Purchasers may request a waiver by 
completing a certification statement. This information requirement was 
added in the final comprehensive rule, published September 8, 1995 (60 
FR 46890), in response to comments received on the proposed 
comprehensive rule.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for waiver of the 
branding requirement on National Forest System logs is estimated to 
average 0.50 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for waiver of the 
branding requirement on National Forest System logs are estimated to be 
1,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,500.

Extension and Revision of Currently Approved Information Collection 
Under 0596-0021

    Title: USDA, Forest Service Request for Disposal of National Forest 
Timber, Reports on Export or Substitution of Unprocessed Timber.
    OMB Number: 0596-0021.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1997.
    Type of Request: The following collection requirements are 
extensions and revisions of currently approved OMB Number 0596-0021 and 
are proposed to be consolidated under OMB Number 0596-0114.

36 CFR 223.48(a)

    Abstract: The existing regulations require an annual report, for 
all sales purchased prior to August 20, 1990, on the disposition of any 
unprocessed timber from the sale and the disposition of private timber 
within the tributary area which is exported or sold for export. This 
collection needs to be maintained, since timber purchased prior to 
August 20, 1990, may still be in commerce.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for the annual report, 
for timber sales purchased prior to August 20, 1990, is estimated to 
average 2.0 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for the annual report, 
for timber sales purchased prior to August 20, 1990, are estimated to 
be 25.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 50.

36 CFR 223.87

    Abstract: In order to be eligible to bid, bidders must certify that 
their timber purchase and export activities are in 

[[Page 63674]]
compliance with the Act and existing regulations.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for certification that 
timber purchase and export activities are in compliance with the Act 
and existing regulations is estimated to average 30 seconds per 
response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for certification that 
timber purchase and export activities are in compliance with the Act 
and existing regulations are estimated to be 500.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 20.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 83.

36 CFR 223.193(a)

    Abstract: The Act requires an annual report on the acquisition and 
disposition of Federal timber. The Act contains this reporting 
requirement (16 U.S.C. 620d(a)(1)). This is a revision of currently 
approved form FS 2400-46 that was approved in OMB Number 0596-0021 as 
part of the 36 CFR 223.87 information collection requirements.
    Estimate of Burden: Public Reporting burden for the annual report 
is estimated to average: 4.0 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for the annual report 
are estimated to be 500.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,000.

Extension and Revision of Currently Approved Information Collection 
Under 0596-0114

    Title: USDA, Forest Service Request for Disposal of National Forest 
Timber, Timber Export or Substitution Restrictions.
    OMB Number: 0596-0114.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 1997.
    Type of Request: The following collection requirement is an 
extension and revision of currently approved OMB Number 0596-0114 and 
is proposed to be consolidated with other information collections in 
this notice under OMB Number 0596-0114.

36 CFR 223.190(c)

    Abstract: Sourcing area applications require certain minimum 
information to be evaluated, pursuant to the Act's requirements (16 
U.S.C. 620b(c)(3)). This information includes: a map; a list of 
manufacturing facilities within same vicinity as applicant's 
facilities; any other relevant information; and certification that the 
information is true, complete, and accurate.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden is estimated to average 
8.0 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondents for sourcing area 
applications are estimated to be 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estiamted Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 16.

Extension and Revision of Currently Approved Information Collection 
Under 0596-0115

    Title: USDA, Forest Service Request for Sale and Disposal of 
National Forest Timber, Log Export and Substitution Exemption 
Restrictions.
    OMB Number: 0596-0115.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1995.
    Type of Request: The following collection requirements are 
extensions and revisions of currently approved OMB Number 0596-0115 and 
are proposed to be consolidated under OMB Number 0596-0114.

36 CFR 223.191(e)

    Abstract: Purchasers have the option of providing information for 
sourcing area reviews. This information may increase the likelihood 
that the results of the review will meet the purchaser's needs and will 
provide comprehensive information for the Department's review of the 
application (16 U.S.C. 620b(c)(3)).
    Estimate of Burden: If purchasers elect to provide information for 
sourcing area reviews, the public reporting burden is estimated to 
average 2.0 hours per responses.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estiamted Number of Respondents: Respondents to the review of 
sourcing areas are estimated to be 10.
    Estiamted Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estiamted Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20.

36 CFR 223.203(c)

    Abstract: The Act provides an exception to indirect substitution 
restrictions for National Forest System timber from within Washington 
State (16 U.S.C. 620b(b)(2)). Purchasers with approved shares may sell 
or trade those shares if the purchaser advises the Regional Forester of 
the amounts being traded and the name of the person acquiring such 
rights, so the agency has accurate information by which to monitor the 
exemption.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden is estimated to average 
1.0 hour per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit entities, including 
small businesses.
    Estmated Number of Respondents: Respondents to the trading of 
shares in Washington State are estimated to be 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2.

Comments Are Invited On

    (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of this agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

Use of Comments

    All comments received in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 4, 1995.
Valdis E. Mezainis,
Acting Chief.
[FR Doc. 95-29949 Filed 12-11-95; 8:45 am]
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