[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18398-18399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9335]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comments; Public Perceptions 
of Land Use Change

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service announces its intent to establish a new information 
collection. The new collection will help the Forest Service meet the 
needs and expectations of the people who live and work along the 
Interstate-90 (I-90) corridor, within and in proximity to, the Mt. 
Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests. Respondents will 
include wildlife, silviculture, timber, land planning, wildland 
conservation, business, and development professionals, biologists, and 
residents along the I-90 corridor.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 14, 1999.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Linda Kruger, Research 
Social Scientist, Seattle Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Forest Service, 
USDA, 4043 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, Washington 98105 or email 
lkruger/[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Kruger, Seattle Forestry 
Sciences Laboratory, at (206) 553-7817.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests are in 
close proximity to the large, rapidly expanding Seattle, Washington, 
area. Urban residents and businesses are making more demands on nearby 
National Forest lands. Many urban residents in this metropolitan area 
are moving to rural communities or forested housing developments in an 
attempt to enjoy the natural environment of the Pacific Northwest, 
while maintaining access to a vibrant urban center. Multiple interests, 
such as recreation, tourism, housing, access to a vibrant urban center. 
Multiple interests, such as recreation, tourism, housing, private-
sector businesses, timber, wildlife, and conservation are competing for 
use, within and in proximity to, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee 
National Forests along the Washington State I-90 corridor. This 
competition and increased demand have already resulted in new ski 
resorts, recreational facilities, shopping malls, increased resistance 
to timber harvesting, and heavier traffic and congestion.
    Data from this information collection will be considered when 
revising land and resource management plans and will help the Forest 
Service meet multiple-use land management needs of the Mt. Baker-
Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forest lands in close proximity to 
the Washington State I-90 corridor.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the new information collection:
    Title: Public Perceptions of Land Use Change.

[[Page 18399]]

    OMB Number: New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: New.
    Type of Request: The following describes a new information 
collection requirement and has not received approval by the Office of 
Management and Budget.
    Abstract: The data in this information collection will be used to 
identify the range of perceptions, concerns, and attitudes the public 
has toward changes in land use along the Washington State I-90 corridor 
within and in close proximity to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee 
National Forests. The data also will be used to identify the 
characteristics about the I-90 corridor that the respondents value 
most; to explore the differences in opinion of various groups on how to 
use National Forest and adjacent land; and to ascertain the perceptions 
that the diverse group of respondents has regarding the Forest 
Service's land management practices and policies. Additionally, the 
data will be used for amendments and revisions of forest plans, as well 
as in assessing proposed National Forest projects and activities. 
Respondents include wildlife, silviculture, timber, land planning, 
wildland conservation, business and development professionals, 
biologists, and residents along the I-90 corridor.
    The Forest Service will provide data from this information 
collection to other agencies and organizations, such as city and county 
planning commissions, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, 
and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust (a non-profit Seattle-based 
organization working to create a greenbelt along the I-90 corridor from 
Seattle to Ellensburg). The results of the study also will be available 
to the participants upon request and will be published in community 
newspapers and organization newsletters.
    The Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, People and 
Natural Resources Program has entered into a cooperative agreement with 
the University of Washington to facilitate the collection of 
information. University of Washington staff, in collaboration with 
Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station staff, will write and 
administer the survey and analyze the survey results.
    Respondents will be selected in such a way as to help ensure 
representation from all interested groups.
    University of Washington staff, along with Forest Service staff, 
will ask respondents to complete a survey assessing their concerns 
about changes in how to use National Forest and adjacent land along the 
Washington State I-90 corridor, their familiarity with the issues 
related to changes in use of these lands, their attitudes toward 
changes in the use of these lands, their ethnic and economic 
background, their education level, their name, and their address.
    Data gathered in this information collection is not available from 
other sources.
    Estimate of Burden: 30 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Respondents will include wildlife, 
silviculture, timber, land planning, wildland conservation, business 
and development professionals, biologists, and residents along the I-90 
corridor.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 500 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    The agency invites comments 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 or the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

Use of Comments

    All comments received in response to this notice, including name 
and address when provided, will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 5, 1999.
Robert Lewis, Jr.,
Acting Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 99-9335 Filed 4-13-99; 8:45 am]
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