[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 72 (Monday, April 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18163-18164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9016]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Ride-Along Program

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

[[Page 18164]]


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 a new information collection associated with the Ride-
along Program application, a program which allows a private citizen to 
apply to ride along with Forest Service Law Enforcement officers.

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

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to the 
Director of Law Enforcement and Investigation, Forest Service, USDA, 
Mail Stop 1140, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, D.C. 20250-
1140.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (703) 605-5112 or 
by e-mail to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at 1621 N. Kent Street, 
Room 1015 Rosslyn Plaza East, Arlington, VA, during normal business 
hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (703) 605-4690 to 
facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Byran Roemeling, LE&I, (703) 605-4690 
or Mary Ann Ball, Forest Service Information Collection Coordinator, 
(703) 605-4572, or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Individuals 
who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8:00 
a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collection

    Title: Ride-along Program.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: This information collection is necessary for Forest 
Service Law Enforcement and Investigation (LE&I) officers to approve a 
rider who applies to participate in the Ride-along program. This 
information collection provides additional protection for LE&I officers 
by confirming the identity and status of riders before allowing them to 
accompany LE&I officers in boats, cars, trucks, or other Forest Service 
vehicles. The purpose of the Ride-Along Program is for citizens to 
learn about and observe Forest Service Law Enforcement and 
Investigation (LE&I) tasks and activities. The program is intended to 
enhance Forest Service law enforcement community relationships and 
cooperation, improve the quality of Forest Service customer service, 
and provide LE&I personnel a recruitment tool. A rider must complete 
two forms in order to participate. Form FS-5300-33 asks for the 
participant's name, address, social security number, driver's license 
number, work address, location of the Ride-Along, and the reason for 
the Ride-Along. Law enforcement officers use Form FS-5300-33 to conduct 
a minimum background check before authorizing a person to ride along. 
Form FS-5300-34 is signed by riders to exempt law enforcement officers 
and the Forest Service from damage, loss, or injury liability incurred 
during the rider's participation in the program. If the information is 
not collected, riders will not be able to ride along with Forest 
Service law enforcement officers.

Estimate of Annual Burden:

                                                                 Minutes
FS-5300-33...................................................          5
FS-5300-34...................................................          5
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    Total....................................................         10
 

    Type of Respondents: Citizens.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1200.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 34 hours per year.

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 information collection 
submission for Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: April 2, 2002.
Sally D. Collins,
Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 02-9016 Filed 4-12-02; 8:45 am]
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