[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37929-37930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17910]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 14, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 37929]]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comments; Application for 
Permit, Non-Federal Commercial Use of Roads Restricted by Order; FS-
7700-40

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service announces its intention to request a reinstatement, 
without change, of a previously approved information collection. 
Information will be collected from individuals, corporations, and 
organizations that request a permit to haul commercial, non-Federal 
products, commodities, and materials on Forest Service roads. 
Commercial use is prohibited without a permit. The information will be 
used to identify the road maintenance required as a direct result of 
the applicant's vehicular traffic, to calculate the applicant's 
commensurate share of road maintenance, and to calculate any applicable 
collections for recovery of past Federal investments in roads.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 13, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Director, Engineering 
Staff, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, D.C. 20090-
6090.
    Comments also may be sent via facsimile to Director, Engineering 
Staff, Forest Service (202) 205-0861 or transmitted by email and 
addressed to: jbell/[email protected].
    The public may inspect comments in the Office of the Director, 
Engineering Staff, 201 14th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. Visitors are 
encouraged to call (202) 205-1400 to facilitate entrance into the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Bell, Engineering Staff at (202) 
205-1424.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Authority for Road Use Permits derives from the National Forest 
Roads and Trails Act (16 U.S.C. 532-538, as amended). Detailed 
implementing regulations are contained in Title 36 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, sections 212.5, 212.9, and 261.54. These statutes 
and regulations authorize the Forest Service to require commercial 
users of Forest Service roads to perform road maintenance or pay for 
road maintenance made necessary by their commercial vehicular use. They 
also allow the Forest Service to recover, from commercial users, the 
Federal investment in the development and maintenance of Forest Service 
roads. Maintenance and cost recovery are accomplished by issuance of a 
road use permit. Commercial use of Forest Service roads is prohibited 
without such a permit.
    The following information will be requested from individuals, 
corporations, or organizations that apply for a permit to use Forest 
Service roads for non-Federal commercial use: name, address, and 
telephone number; number of miles of roads to be used; purpose of use; 
use schedule; and plans for future use.
    The requestor submits the information to the Forest Supervisor or 
District Ranger responsible for the Forest Service roads on which 
commercial vehicular use is requested. The information is evaluated by 
engineering personnel on the responsible forest.
    The information is used by the Forest Service to identify the road 
maintenance required that is the direct result of the applicant's 
vehicular traffic, to calculate the applicant's commensurate share of 
road maintenance, and to calculate any applicable collections for 
recovery of past Federal investments in roads. These fees are then 
embodied in clauses in the road use permits issued to the applicant.

Description of Information Collection

    Title: Application for Permit Non-Federal Commercial Use of Roads 
Restricted by Order (FS-7700-40).
    OMB Number: 0596-0016.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved information collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: In order to recover maintenance costs on Forest Service 
roads used for commercial hauling of non-Federal products, commodities, 
and materials, commercial haulers are assessed for their vehicular use 
of Forest Service roads. The collected information is used to determine 
the cost recovery amount. Respondents include individuals and 
organizations that use Forest Service roads for commercial hauling 
purposes. Assessing commercial haulers for their vehicular use of 
Forest Service roads provides for repair and maintenance of road 
surface deterioration to which commercial vehicles contribute.
    Estimate of Burden: 15 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Commercial users of National Forest System 
Roads.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 500 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the stated purpose 
or the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (b) 
the accuracy of the 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, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Use of Comment

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


[[Page 37930]]


    Dated: July 7, 1999.
Paul Brouha,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 99-17910 Filed 7-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P