[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23103-23104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10605]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Forest Industries Data Collection System

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 the information collection for two 
questionnaires used to evaluate trends in the use of logs and wood 
chips, to forecast anticipated levels of logs and wood chips, and to 
analyze changes in the harvest of these resources from National Forest 
System lands.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 30, 2003 
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 
USDA Forest Service, Attn: Michael Howell, Forest Inventory and 
Analysis, Southern Research Station, 4700 Old Kingston Pike, Knoxville, 
TN, 37919-5206. Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (865) 
862-2048 or by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Southern Research 
Station, 4700 Old Kingston Pike, Resource Use Office, Knoxville, 
Tennessee during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call 
ahead to (865) 862-2000 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Howell, Southern Research 
Station, at (865) 862-2054.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collection

    1. Title: Pulpwood Received Questionnaire.
    OMB Number: 0596-0010.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension.
    Abstract: The Forest and Range Renewable Resources Planning Act of 
1974 and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 
1978 require the Forest Service to evaluate trends in the use of logs 
and wood chips, to forecast anticipated levels of logs and wood chips, 
and to analyze changes in the harvest of these resources from National 
Forest System lands.
    To collect this information, Forest Service personnel use the 
Pulpwood Received questionnaire. Questions include what type of logs or 
wood chips have been received by the mill, from which geographic 
locations have the logs or wood chips been harvested, what variety of 
tree species have been harvested and received by the mill, how much was 
paid by the mill for the logs or wood chips, and what is the volume of 
byproducts that have been produced as a result of the manufacturing 
process, such as bark, sawdust, and slabs. The questionnaire also 
includes the State and the calendar year for which information will be 
collected.
    The Forest Service mails the questionnaires to primary wood-using 
mills, which include small, part-time mills and pulping companies, as 
well as large paper companies. Primary wood-using mills are facilities 
that use harvested wood in log or chip form, such as sawlogs, veneer 
logs, pulpwood, and pulp chips, to manufacture a secondary product, 
such as lumber or paper. Respondents return the completed questionnaire 
by mail in self-addressed, postage-paid envelopes.
    The information is collected by Forest Service personnel at the 
following Forest Service research stations: Northeast Research Station 
(Radnor, Pa), North Central Research Station (St. Paul, Mn), Southern 
Research Station (Asheville, NC), Rocky Mountain Research Station 
(Ogden, Ut), and Pacific Northwest Research Station (Portland, Or). The 
data collected will be used to provide essential information about the 
current drain on the Nation's timber resources for pulpwood industrial 
products.
    Forest Service personnel will evaluate the information collected 
from the pulp mills to monitor the volume, types, species, sources, and 
prices of timber products harvested throughout the Nation. The data 
from this collection of information is not available from other 
sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 0.5 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Primary users of industrial pulpwood and wood 
chips.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 225.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 113.
    2. Title: Logs and Other Roundwood Received Questionnaire.
    OMB Number: 0596-0010.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension.
    Abstract: The Forest and Range Renewable Resources Planning Act of 
1974 and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 
1978 require the Forest Service to evaluate trends in the use of logs 
and wood chips, to forecast anticipated levels of logs and wood chips, 
and to analyze changes in the harvest of these resources from National 
Forest System lands.
    To collect the information, Forest Service personnel use the Logs 
and Other Roundwood Received questionnaire. The questionnaire is mailed 
to primary wood-using mills, which include small, part-time mills as 
well as large corporate entities. The Logs and Other Roundwood Received 
questionnaire includes the State and the calendar year for which 
information will be collected. Respondents return the completed 
questionnaire by mail in self-addressed, postage-paid envelopes.
    The information is to be collected by Forest Service personnel at 
the following Forest Service research stations: Northeast Research 
Station (Radnor, Pa), North Central Research Station (St. Paul, Mn), 
Southern Research Station (Asheville, NC), Rocky Mountain Research 
Station (Ogden, Ut), and Pacific Northwest Research Station (Portland, 
Or).
    Respondents answer questions that include the type of logs or wood 
chips that have been received by the mill, the geographic locations 
from which the logs or wood chips have been harvested, the variety of 
tree species that have been harvested and received by the mill, the 
prices the mill has paid for the logs or wood chips, and the volume of 
byproducts that have been produced as a result of the manufacturing 
process, such as bark, sawdust, and slabs.

[[Page 23104]]

    The Forest Service will collect information from primary wood-using 
mills, which includes small, part-time mills, as well as large 
corporate entities. Primary wood-using mills are facilities that use 
harvested wood in log or chip form, such as sawlogs, veneer logs, 
pulpwood, and pulp chips, to manufacture a secondary product, such as 
lumber or paper. The data collected is used to provide essential 
information about the current drain on the Nation's timber resources 
for pulpwood industrial products.
    Forest Service personnel evaluate the information collected from 
the pulp mills to monitor the volume, types, species, sources, and 
prices of timber products harvested throughout the Nation. The data 
from this collection of information is not available from other 
sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 0.84 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Primary users of industrial roundwood 
products.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1885.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1583.

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.

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: April 24, 2003.
Robert Lewis, Jr.,
Deputy Chief, Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 03-10605 Filed 4-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P