[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49145-49146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23592]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comments; Publication Comment 
Cards

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 intention to establish a new information 
collection. The collected information will help the Forest Service 
prepare scientific research publications that better serve those who 
request them. Information will be collected from individuals, 
institutions, organizations, and interest groups who receive scientific 
research publications produced by the Forest Service Southern Research 
Station.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before November 9, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Marketing, Communications Office, 
Southern Research Station, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 2680, 
Asheville, NC 28802.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (828) 257-4840 or 
by email to mcarlson/[email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Southern Research 
Station, 200 Weaver Boulevard, Asheville, North Carolina. Visitors are 
urged to call ahead to facilitate entrance into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Carlson, Communications Staff, 
at (828) 257-4849.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the new information collection:
    Title: Publication Comments Card.
    OMB Number: New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: New.
    Type of Request: This is a new information collection and has not 
received approval from the Office of Management and Budget.
    Abstract: Executive Order 12862, issued September 11, 1993, 
directed Federal agencies to change the way they do business, to reform 
their management practices, to provide service to the public that 
matches or exceeds the best service available in the private sector, 
and to establish and implement customer service standards to carry out 
principles of the National Performance Review. In response to this 
Executive Order, the Forest Service Southern Research Station developed 
a ``Publication Comment'' Card for inclusion when distributing 
scientific research publications.
    Since the early 1920's, Southern Research Station scientists have 
published the results of their studies on temperate and tropical 
forests, forest resources, and forest products, as well as important 
conclusions about the dynamics of natural timber stands and 
plantations, watershed management, and wildlife habitats. These studies 
have provided long-term data that has

[[Page 49146]]

become increasingly valuable to landowners and others involved in 
natural resource land management. Data from the Publication Comment 
Card will help the Southern Research Station assess if Station 
publications meet the customer's expectations and address the 
customer's needs. The collected information also will help scientists 
and authors provide relevant information on effective, efficient, 
responsible land management in the Southern United States.
    Forest Service research personnel will enclose Publication Comment 
Cards when providing publications to recipients in person or by mail. 
These Cards and some Station publications also will be made available 
via the Internet. The Card includes the following statements that will 
be rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being ``Strongly agree'' and 5 
being ``Strongly disagree.''
    1. The information is what I expected, based on the title and 
abstract.
    2. The publication is well organized.
    3. The content is presented clearly.
    4. The technical subject matter was explained sufficiently to meet 
my needs.
    5. The graphics (Photographs, tables, charts) were helpful.
    6. This research information is useful to me.
    7. I will continue to request Southern Research Station 
publications.
    Respondents will complete the Publication Comment Cards and return 
them in person or mail them back to the Southern Research Station via 
surface mail or electronically via the Internet.
    Data gathered in this information collection is not available from 
other sources.
    Estimate of Burden: 5 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Respondents will include U.S. citizens; 
citizens of other countries; landowners or land lessees; timber 
customers; other forest-products customers; research scientists; 
special-use customers; educators; librarians; historians; writers; 
representatives of other Federal, State, county, or local Government 
agencies and representatives of foreign governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 19,500.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,625 hours.

Comment is Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes 
and 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 received in response to this notice, including name 
and address when provided, will become a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: September 2, 1999.
Robert Lewis, Jr.
Deputy Chief for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 99-23592 Filed 9-9-99; 8:45 am]
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