[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57414-57415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28598]


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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. 66, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 57414]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Forest Product Removal Permits and 
Contracts

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the extension of an information collection associated 
with forest product removal permits and contracts. This information 
collection will help the Forest Service administer the small forest 
products program. Information will be collected from permit applicants 
for free use of forest products as well as for contractors for 
competitive and noncompetitive purchase of forest products.
    The collected information is necessary to ensure that applicants 
who request free use of forest products qualify for the free-use 
program; that applicants who purchase noncompetitive contracts to 
harvest forest products do not exceed the authorized limit of products 
that may be removed in a given fiscal year; and that permittees and 
contractors can be readily identified in the field by Forest Service 
compliance personnel.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 14, 
2002. Comments received after that date will be considered to the 
extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to the Director, Forest and 
Rangeland Management. Comments may be sent via U.S. Postal Service to 
the Director at Mail Stop 1105, Forest Service, USDA, PO Box 96090, 
Washington, DC 20090-6090.
    Comments also may be submitted to the Director's attention via 
facsimile to (202) 205-1045 or by e-mail to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Forest and 
Rangeland Management Office, 14th & Independence, SW., 3SW, Washington, 
DC. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead at (202) 205-0855 to 
facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rex Baumback, Forest Management Staff, 
at (202) 205-0855 or Mary Ann Ball, Forest Service Information 
Collection Coordinator, at (703) 605-4572. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 
p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collection

    Individuals and other Federal agencies planning to remove timber 
and other forest products, such as mushrooms or boughs, from the 
National Forests for commercial or personal use purposes must obtain 
authorization from the Forest Service. To obtain a permit or contract, 
applicants must meet the criteria at 36 CFR 223.1, 223.2, and 223.5 
through 223.13 for free use or purchase of timber or other forest 
products. The terms of the permit or contract designate the specific 
forest products that can be harvested or removed and under what 
conditions, such as limiting the harvest of forest products to a 
designated area or permitting harvest of only material specifically 
marked for removal.
    When applying for forest products removal permits or contracts, 
applicants, depending on what timber or forest products they intend to 
remove, must answer questions on one of the following documents:
    Contract 2400-4, Forest Products Sale Contract and Cash Receipt, is 
used to sell timber products, such as sawtimber, or other forest 
products, such as fuelwood; and
    Permit 2400-8, Forest Products Free Use Permit, is used to allow 
free use of timber or other forest products (36 CFR 223.5 through 
223.13).
    Permit 2400-1, Forest Products Removal Permit and Cash Receipt, 
previously included in this information collection, is being combined 
with the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management; permit BLM-
5510-1, Free Use Application and Permit. These information collection 
requirements will be described in a separate joint notice.
    Each format implements different regulations and has different 
provisions for compliance, but both Contract 2400-4 and Contract 2400-
8, collect similar information from the applicant for related purposes. 
OMB authorization for both information collections expire January 31, 
2002. The Forest Service is requesting an extension of this information 
collection.
    The Forest Service will use the information collected to ensure 
that permittees obtaining free use of timber or other forest products 
qualify for the free-use program and do not receive product value in 
excess of the $20 amount that District Rangers or $100 amount that 
Forest Supervisors are authorized to approve in a fiscal year (36 CFR 
223.8); to ensure that applicants purchasing non-competitive contracts 
to harvest timber or other forest products do not exceed the authorized 
$10,000 limit in a fiscal year (16 U.S.C. 472(a)); and to ensure that 
permittees and contractors can be identified in the field by Forest 
Service compliance personnel.
    An applicant is not restricted to one permit or contract. An 
applicant may apply for as many product removal permits or contracts as 
they deem necessary to meet their needs. For example, an applicant may 
obtain free use of a timber product, such as pinecones, using Permit 
2400-8, Forest Products Free Use Permit, and still purchase firewood 
using Contract 2400-4, Forest Products Sale Contract and Cash Receipt.
    Title: Forest Products Removal Permits and Contracts.
    OMB Number: 0596-0085.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extend this information collection.
    Abstract: Individuals and persons representing small businesses 
usually request permits or contracts in person at the Forest Service 
issuing office. Forest Service personnel ask applicants to respond to 
questions that include their name, address, and identification number. 
The identification number can be a tax identification number, social 
security number, driver's license number, or other unique number 
identifying the applicant. Forest Service personnel enter the 
information into a

[[Page 57415]]

computerized database for easy retrieval for subsequent requests for 
permits or contracts by the same individual. The database generates a 
printed hardcopy of a permit or contract, which the applicant signs and 
dates. Forest Service personnel issuing the permit or contract discuss 
the terms and conditions with the applicant. Permittees and contractors 
may be required to maintain a product removal record on the face of the 
permit or contract.
    Data gathered in this information collection are not available from 
other sources.
    The agency uses the collected data to ensure that applicants for 
free use meet the criteria for free use of timber or forest products 
authorized by regulations at 36 CFR 223.5 through 223.13, that 
applicants seeking to purchase and remove timber or forest products 
from National Forest System lands meet the criteria under which sale of 
timber or forest products is authorized by the regulations at 36 CFR 
223.80, and to ensure that permittees and contractors comply with 
regulations and terms at 36 CFR 261.6.

Estimate of Annual Burden:
    Permit 2400-8: 4.5 minutes.
    Contract 2400-4: 5.5 minutes.
Type of Respondents: 
    Permit 2400-8: Individuals.
    Contract 2400-4: Individuals and small businesses.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents:
    Permit 2400-8: 4,000.
    Contract 2400-4: 500.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent:
    Permit 2400-8: 4.
    Contract 2400-4: 5.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:
    Permit 2400-8: 1,140 hours.
    Contract 2400-4: 225 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's 
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (4) 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.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for Office 
of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: October 30, 2001.
Abigail Kimbell,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 01-28598 Filed 11-14-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P