[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71028-71030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30018]



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Part IV





Department of Agriculture





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Forest Service



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Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection for Special Use 
Administration; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 27, 2002 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection for 
Special Use Administration

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service announces its intent to request an extension of a 
currently approved information collection for the administration of 
special uses on National Forest System lands. The information helps the 
Forest Service ensure that the authorized use of Federal land is in the 
public interest and compatible with the mission of the agency. 
Respondents will include individuals, groups, organizations, 
businesses, corporations, and Federal, State, and local governments.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 27, 
2003. Comments received after that date will be considered to the 
extent practical.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to: Director, Lands Staff 
(Mail Stop 1124), Forest Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1124 or e-mail [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Hearst, Lands Staff, at (202) 
205-1196.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The forms described in this request for extension of an information 
collection are used by the agency to issue and administer special use 
permits to use or occupy National Forest System lands. The data 
collected will be evaluated by the Forest Service to ensure that the 
authorized use of Federal land is in the public interest and is 
compatible with the mission of the agency. The data will help identify 
environmental and social impacts of special uses and will ascertain 
whether the agency is receiving a fair market rental fee for the use of 
National Forest System lands. The data will be collected through 
application forms and stipulations in operating plans and special use 
authorizations. There are four general categories of information 
requests: (1) Initial and amended application process; (2) annual 
financial information; (3) preparing and updating operation and 
maintenance plans; and (4) compliance reports and information updates.

Description of Information Collection

1. Application Process
    The following describes the information collections required for 
the application process:
    a. Title: Form SF-299, Application for Transportation and Utility 
Systems and Facilities on Federal Lands.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to evaluate the applicant's technical and financial 
capability, nature of the proposed operations, and anticipated 
environmental impacts and proposed mitigation of those impacts. This 
form is used for the majority of nonrecreational requests to use 
National Forest System lands.
    Estimate of Burden: 8 hours.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 1,500.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 12,000 hours.
    b. Title: Form FS-27003a, Request for Termination of and 
Application for Special Use Permit.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to facilitate issuance of a new authorization when 
the private improvements authorized on National Forest System lands 
change ownership.
    Estimate of Burden: 0.5 hours.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, and corporations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 500 hours.
    c. Title: Form FS-27003b, Special Use Application and Permit for 
Noncommercial Group Use.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to evaluate requests, such as noncommercial group 
gatherings, to use National Forest System lands. These requests usually 
involve First Amendment rights that require a short, specific time 
frame (48 hours) for the agency to approve or deny the request.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, groups, organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 2,400.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,400 hours.
    d. Title: Form FS-27003c, Special Use Application and Permit for 
Recreation Events.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to evaluate requests to use National Forest System 
lands for recreation events.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, groups, organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 2,000.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,000 hours.
    e. Title: Form FS-2700-3e, Special Use Application and Permit for 
Government-Owned Buildings.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to evaluate requests to utilize, through a special 
use permit, Government-owned buildings and facilities.
    Estimate of Burden: 0.25 hours.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 3,200.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 800 hours.
    f. Title: Form FS-2700-10, Technical Data for Communications Uses.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.

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    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to evaluate the compatibility of communications 
equipment at a communications site to minimize frequency interference 
and other compatibility problems.
    Estimate of Burden: 0.5 hours.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 500.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 250 hours.
    g. Title: Form FS-6500-24, Financial Statement.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to evaluate the financial capability of an applicant 
to undertake the requested use and to comply with the terms and 
conditions of an authorization if issued. This form is used primarily 
for requests to operate Government-owned campgrounds, or requests for 
ski or resort area use on National Forest System lands.
    Estimate of Burden: 8 hours.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 100.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 800 hours.
    h. Title: Form FS-6500-25, Request for Verification.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to evaluate the financial capability of an applicant 
to undertake the requested use and to comply with the terms and 
conditions of an authorization if issued. This form is used primarily 
for requests to operate Government-owned campgrounds, or requests for 
ski area or resort area use on National Forest System lands.
    Estimate of Burden: 0.5 hours.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 100.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 50 hours.
2. Annual Financial Information
    Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the 
Independent Offices Appropriation Act of 1952, and the Office of 
Management and Budget Circular A-25 require the Forest Service to 
collect rental fees that reflect fair market value for the use of 
National Forest System lands. Special use authorizations may contain 
specific terms and conditions requiring the holder to provide the 
authorized officer with the information necessary to calculate fair 
market value rental fees. Procedures for how the information is 
provided and when it is required are contained in the authorization 
terms and conditions. Information requests for financial information 
are provided to the authorized officer in a variety of ways. Several 
examples include gross revenues, value of capital improvements, number 
of trips and/or customers served, or a listing of occupants in a 
communications site building.
    The following describes the information collections required to 
obtain financial information:
    a. Title: Form FS-2700-7, Reconciliation of Sales for Fee 
Calculation.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to determine the annual rental fee due the Federal 
Government for the use of National Forest System lands.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 275.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 275 hours.
    b. Title: Form FS-2700-8, Reconciliation of Gross Fixed Assets 
(GFA) to Booked Amounts.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to determine the annual rental fee due the Federal 
Government for the use of National Forest System lands based on gross 
fixed assets of the entity holding the permit.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 275.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 275 hours.
    c. Title: Form FS-2700-10a, Telecommunications Facility Inventory.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to determine the annual rental for a communications 
facility based on the number of tenants in that facility. This form 
provides the authorized officer with that information.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 3,000.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 3,000 hours.
    d. Title: Form FS-2700-19, Fee Calculation for Concession Permits.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to determine the annual rental fee due the Federal 
Government for concession permits.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 275.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 275 hours.

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    e. Title: Form FS-2700-19a, USDA Forest Service Fee Calculation For 
Ski Area Permits.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized officer to determine the annual rental fee due the Federal 
Government for ski area permits.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 100.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 100 hours.
    f. Title: Business Practices (no specific agency form for this 
information request).
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information is provided by the authorization holder 
to the agency when requested by the authorized officer or as a term and 
condition of the authorization. There is no specific form involved. The 
holder-provided information is usually maintained in a form that is 
customary for the type of business.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 1,675.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.5.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,513 hours.
3. Preparing and Updating Operation and Maintenance Plans
    The following describes the information collection required to 
prepare and update an operation and maintenance plan:
    Title: There is no specific agency form for this information 
request.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Special use authorizations may contain a clause requiring 
the holder of a special use authorization to prepare or update an 
operation and maintenance plan, when the authorized officer determines 
that the day-to-day operations of the use authorized need to be 
specified. This information is useful to the holder of the special use 
authorization and the Forest Service because it outlines procedures and 
policies used while the holder conducts operations or business on 
National Forest System lands. Typically, operation and maintenance 
plans contain daily operating guidelines, fire abatement and control 
procedures, monitoring guidelines, maintenance standards, safety and 
emergency plans, inspection standards and frequencies, and so forth. 
Operation and maintenance plans are not required for all special use 
authorizations, but are usually necessary for complex operations, 
commercial uses, and situations involving sensitive environmental 
areas.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations, Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 35,000.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 35,000 hours.
4. Compliance Reports and Information Updates
    The following describes the information collection required to 
obtain compliance reports and information updates:
    Title: There is no specific agency form for this information 
collection.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2002.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Special use authorizations may contain specific terms and 
conditions requiring the holder to provide the authorized officer with 
compliance reports, information reports, and other information required 
by Federal law or required to properly manage National Forest System 
lands to ensure adequate protection of forest resources and public 
health and safety. Examples of compliance and information requests 
include dam maintenance inspection reports and logs required by the 
Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978, the Federal Dam Safety 
Inspection Act of 1979, and the Dam Safety Act of 1983; documentation 
that authorized facilities passed safety inspections; documentation 
showing that the United States is covered in an insurance policy; 
notifications involving changes in corporation or partnership status; 
and documentation of compliance with nondiscrimination in Federally 
assisted programs as required by title VI and VII of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations, Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 13,500.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 13,500 hours.

Comments Are Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of this 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (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 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 be a matter of public record. In 
submitting this proposal to the Office of Management and Budget for 
approval, the Forest Service will summarize and respond to comments 
received.

    Dated: November 21, 2002.
Abigal R. Kimbell,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 02-30018 Filed 11-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P