[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 39594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16211]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comments; Timber Sale 
Operating Plans

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 extend a previously approved 
information collection. The collected information will help the Forest 
Service facilitate contract administration of timber sales on timber on 
National Forest System lands. Information will be collected from 
purchasers of this timber.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 28, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Rex Baumback, Forest 
Management, Mail Stop 1105, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090, 
Washington, DC 20090-6090.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (202) 205-1045 or 
by email to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received in the Office of the 
Director, Forest Management Staff, Forest Service, USDA, Room 3NW, 
Yates Building, 201 14th Street, SW., Washington, D.C. Callers are 
urged to call ahead to facilitate entrance into the building.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a(14)(c)) 
requires timber sale purchasers to provide the Forest Service with 
timber sale operating plans on timber sales with contracts that exceed 
2 years in length. The timber sale operating plans are collected within 
60 days following the award of timber sale contracts and annually, 
thereafter, until the timber has been harvested. The timber sale 
contract requires the timber sale purchaser to update the timber sale 
operating plan annually.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: Timber Operating Plans.
    OMB Number: 0596-0086.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of an information collection previously 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget.
    Abstract: The collected information is used by the agency to plan 
the agency's timber sale contract administration workload and to 
determine whether a timber sale purchaser's scheduled timber operation 
has been delayed and is, therefore, eligible for an extension of the 
contract termination date. The collected information also is used to 
facilitate the administration of a timber sale contract.
    Timber sale purchasers provide information that includes planned 
periods of major activity, how the activity will be conducted, and any 
anticipated road construction. The timber sale purchaser also outlines 
time frames and methods of accomplishing road construction, timber 
harvesting, and other contract requirements.
    There is no prescribed format for the collection of this 
information. Timber sale purchasers may submit the required information 
in the form of a chart or letter using surface mail, electronic mail, 
or via facsimile. The information is based on the timber sale 
purchaser's business plan.
    Respondents are National Forest System timber sale purchasers who 
prepare a chart or letter within 60 days of a timber sale contract 
award and annually thereafter, until the contract has been completed.
    Data gathered in this information collection are not available from 
other sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 30 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Purchasers of National Forest System timber.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,875 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    The agency invites comments on (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 Comments

    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses 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: June 15, 2000.
Paul Brouha,
Associate Deputy Chief, NFS.
[FR Doc. 00-16211 Filed 6-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-U