[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 162 (Thursday, August 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 50512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21407]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Objections to New Land Management Plans, 
Plan Amendments, and Plan Revisions

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, with revision, of the information 
collection for objections to new land management plans, plan 
amendments, and plan revisions as required by Title 36 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, part 219 (36 CFR part 219).

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before October 20, 
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 
Forest Service, USDA, Assistant Director for Planning, Ecosystem 
Management Coordination, Mail Stop 1104, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1104. Comments also may be submitted via facsimile 
to (202) 205-1012 or by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Ecosystem 
Management Coordination Office, 201 14th St SW., Washington, DC during 
normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (202) 
205-0895 to facilitate entry into to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Roth, Ecosystem Management 
Coordination, at (202) 205-1547 or 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 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collection

    Title: Objection to new land management plans, plan amendments, and 
plan revisions.
    OMB Number: 0596-0158.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension with revision of currently approved 
collection.
    Abstract: The information that would be required by 36 CFR 219.19 
is the minimum information needed for a citizen or organization to 
explain the nature of the objection being made to a proposed land 
management plan, plan amendment, or plan revision and the reason why 
the individual or organization objects. Specifically, an objector must 
provide name, mailing address, and if possible, telephone number; an 
identification of the specific proposed plan, amendment or revision 
that is the subject of the objection; and a concise statement 
explaining how the environmental disclosure documents, if any, and 
proposed plan, amendment, or revision are inconsistent with law, 
regulation, Executive order, or policy and any recommendations for 
change. The Reviewing Officer must review the objection(s) and relevant 
information and then respond to the objector(s) in writing.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 10 hours to prepare the objection.
    Type of Respondents: Interested and affected individuals, 
organizations, and governmental units who participate in the planning 
process: such as persons who live in or near National Forest System 
(NFS) lands; local, State, and Tribal governments who have an interest 
in the plan; Federal agencies with an interest in the management of NFS 
lands and resources; not-for-profit organizations interested in NFS 
management, such as environmental groups, recreations groups, 
educational institutions; and commercial users of NFS land and 
resources.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1210 a year.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,100 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.

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: August 14, 2003.
Gloria Manning,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 03-21407 Filed 8-20-03; 8:45 am]
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