[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24706-24707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11409]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects of 
Livestock Ranching

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 a new one-time information collection, Economic, 
Social, and Cultural Aspects of Livestock Ranching on the Santa Fe and 
Carson National Forests. The collection is necessary to provide 
baseline data on the economic, social, and cultural contributions of 
livestock ownership in northern New Mexico. The information provided by 
this study, will help the Forest Service administer grazing permits 
more effectively to better meet the needs of grazing permittees in 
northern New Mexico. The information will also be used for purposes of 
public education.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before July 7, 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 Carol 
Raish, Research Social Scientist, or to Alice M. McSweeney, Social 
Science Analyst, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 
333 Broadway SE., Suite 115, Albuquerque, NM 87102-3497.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (505) 724-3688 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected] or [email protected]. The public may 
inspect comments received at 333 Broadway SE., Ste. 115, Albuquerque, 
NM 87106-3497 during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to 
call ahead to (505) 724-3666 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Raish, Rocky Mountain Research 
Station, telephone: (505) 724-3666, or Alice M. McSweeney, Rocky 
Mountain Research Station, telephone: (505) 724-3677. Individuals who 
use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 twenty-four hours a day, every 
day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collections

    Title: Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Livestock Ranching 
on the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: New.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: Management of Federal lands is often hampered because 
land managing agencies lack sufficient information to understand and 
monitor socio-cultural values and changing attitudes toward land and 
resource use. This lack of up-to-date information impedes efforts of 
the Forest Service (FS) to work with livestock ranchers who graze their 
cattle under permit on Forest Service managed lands (permittees).
    In northern New Mexico, many grazing permittees are descendants of 
Hispanic settlers who farmed and ranched in the area for 400 years. 
Prior to U.S. takeover of the region in 1848, much of the land now 
grazed under Federal permits was owned or used by local communities 
under Spanish and Mexican land grants. Cultural differences and 
historic problems over land use contribute to disagreements and 
misunderstandings between the permittees and Federal land managers.
    The study for which this information collection is needed will 
encompass all grazing permittees on the Espanola District of the Santa 
Fe National Forest and the Canjilon District of the Carson National 
Forest. It will provide data on economic, social, and cultural 
contributions of livestock ownership to the grazing permittees of 
northern New Mexico. A prior pilot study conducted in 1998 on the two 
forests; along with

[[Page 24707]]

studies conducted in the late 1960s and 1970s require updating and 
revision to provide the most current information. Additionally, the 
pilot study indicates that there is a need for a broader base of data.
    The results of this research should help agency personnel manage 
the land more effectively and work more cooperatively with livestock 
grazing permittees. Such information may also serve to improve agency 
relations with area communities by promoting greater understanding of 
the local culture and the role of livestock ownership in that culture. 
As the public becomes more involved in the federal land management 
decision-making process, the need for public education on the 
relationship between land and the rural way of life increases.
    To collect the required information, social science researchers 
from the Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service will 
personally administer a questionnaire to grazing permittees from the 
Santa Fe and Carson National Forests. Respondents who are unable to 
schedule an interview will have the option of returning their completed 
questionnaire by mail.
    The data collected will describe the economic, social, and cultural 
contributions of livestock operations to grazing permittees including: 
(1) Background information on the permittee and his/her family; (2) 
background information on the livestock operation; (3) contribution of 
the livestock operation to the household economy; (4) contribution of 
the livestock operation to the cultural, and lifestyle; (5) land use 
values of the family and community. After completing the information 
collection, researchers will compile and analyze the data.
    The compiled data from this study will be used to assist managers 
on the two forests to work more effectively with grazing permittees by 
encouraging increased intercultural understanding. Additionally, the 
collected information may be used in developing and updating grazing 
allotment plans and in developing forest plan revisions. This type of 
information is also valuable in public education programs concerning 
the rural culture of northern New Mexico. The results of this study 
will also serve as the foundation for multiple research publications.
    Since this study is designed to provide information on small-scale 
livestock operations on Federal allotments, its implementation is of 
considerable importance. If this data is not collected, grazing 
allotment plans and forest plan revisions for the target forests will 
not be based on the most current and appropriate socio-cultural and 
economic information. Furthermore, agency relations with the community 
may be hindered from a lack of knowledge that might otherwise help to 
promote intercultural understanding and cooperation.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: One and a half hours.
    Type of Respondents: Livestock ranchers/owners who have permits to 
graze cattle or sheep on the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests in 
northern New Mexico.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 600 respondents.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: One time. This 
is a one-time collection of information.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 900 total hours. This 
is a one-time collection of information.

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. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request 
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: May 2, 2003.
Robert Lewis, Jr.,
Deputy Chief, Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 03-11409 Filed 5-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P