[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50745-50746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21579]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Timber Sale Operating Plans

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 of a previously approved information 
collection for Timber Sale Operating Plans. The collected information 
will help the Forest Service facilitate contract administration of 
timber sales on National Forest System lands. Information will be 
collected from purchasers of this timber.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before October 21, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Rex Baumback, Forest and 
Rangelands Management, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Mail Stop 1105, 
Washington, DC 20250-1105.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (202) 205-1045 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received in the Office of the 
Director, Forest and Rangelands Management Staff, Forest Service, USDA, 
Room 3NW, Yates Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC. Visitors are urged to call ahead to (202) 205-0855 facilitate 
entrance into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rex Baumback, Timber Sale Contract 
Administration Specialist, Forest and Rangelands Management, at (202) 
205-0855.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: Timber Operating Plans.
    OMB Number: 0596-0086.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension of an information collection previously 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget.
    Abstract: The information collected is used by the agency to plan 
agency timber sale contract administration workload and to determine 
whether timber sale purchasers had scheduled operations delayed and; 
therefore, are eligible for an extension of the contract termination 
date. The information is required by timber sale contract provisions in 
Form FS 2400-6, Timber Sale Contract, and Form FS 2400-6T, Timber Sale 
Contract.
    Respondents are National Forest System land timber sale purchasers 
who prepare a chart or letter within 60 days of a timber sale contract 
award, and annually thereafter until the contract is completed. The 
timber sale purchaser outlines timeframes and methods of accomplishing 
road construction, timber harvesting, and other contract requirements.
    Forest Service personnel evaluate the collected information to 
facilitate timber sale contract administration and to determine 
eligibility for National Forest System land timber sale contract term 
extensions. Data gathered in this information collection are not 
available from other sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 30 minutes per response.
    Type of Respondents: Purchasers of National Forest System timber.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,875 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) The necessity of 
the information collection for the stated purposes and the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical or scientific utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the information 
collection burden on respondents, including the use of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection

[[Page 50746]]

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 become a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: August 15, 2003.
Abigail R. Kimbell,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 03-21579 Filed 8-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P