[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65239-65240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28860]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Understanding Relationships Between 
People and Local Land Use at the Francis Marion National Forest

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 regarding the new information collection entitled, 
``Understanding Relationships Between People and Local Land Use at the 
Francis Marion National Forest.''

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 20, 
2004 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 
Cassandra Johnson, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Southern Research 
Station, Forest Service, USDA, 320 Green St., Athens, GA 30602-2044.
    Comments also may be submitted to Cassandra Johnson via facsimile 
to (706) 559-4266 or by e-mail to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Forestry Sciences 
Laboratory, Southern Research Station, Forest Service, USDA, 320 Green 
St., Athens, Georgia, during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to (706) 559-4222 to facilitate entry to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cassandra Johnson, Forestry Sciences 
Laboratory, at (706) 559-4270. 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:
    Title: Understanding Relationships Between People and Local Land 
Use at the Francis Marion National Forest.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: N/A.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: There has been a considerable amount of controversy 
surrounding land use in rural, coastal regions of South Carolina. Press 
reports and anecdotal information indicate that some residents support 
initiatives that would encourage commercial and residential development 
in the region, while other residents strongly oppose such initiatives. 
The first objective of this information collection is to examine rural 
residents' knowledge and opinions regarding commercial and residential 
development in rural, upper Charleston County, South Carolina (Seewee 
to Santee region). The second objective is to learn more about the 
kinds of recreational activities in which local residents participate 
while visiting the Francis Marion National Forest, which is located in 
this region.
    The National Forest-Dependent Rural Communities Economic 
Diversification Act of 1990 provides the authority for this information 
collection. This Act gives the Forest Service an opportunity to help 
rural communities, located in or

[[Page 65240]]

near national forests, organize, plan, and implement rural development 
efforts. This proposed information collection seeks residents' opinions 
regarding use and management of non-Federal lands, as well as use and 
management of Federal lands that include the Francis Marion National 
Forest.
    The Seewee to Santee region encompasses about 308 square miles with 
a population of approximately 4,500. The area includes two towns, 
Awendaw and McClellanville, and several unincorporated communities 
adjacent to these towns. Sections of the area are either within the 
boundary of the Francis Marion National Forest or are directly adjacent 
to the Forest.
    Residents will be asked to respond to questions or statements in 
the following five categories: (1) Commercial and residential use of 
non-Federal land; (2) quality of drinking water and septic systems at 
respondent's primary residence; (3) resident involvement and connection 
to the local community; (4) national forest recreation visitation; and 
(5) demographic information.
    Five hundred thirty respondents will be selected using a stratified 
random sample based on an estimate of individuals in the Seewee to 
Santee region at or below the poverty level, as defined by the U.S. 
Census. The U.S. Census Bureau uses income before taxes to compute the 
poverty rate. Such income includes earnings, unemployment compensation, 
social security, rents, and child support payments. Survey Sampling 
International (SSI), located in Fairfield, Connecticut, specializes in 
sample design and will provide addresses and phone numbers for 
potential respondents.
    Undergraduate students at the College of Charleston in Charleston, 
South Carolina will collect data via face-to-face interviews with 
respondents. Dr. Angela C. Halfacre, with the Environmental Studies 
Program at the College of Charleston, will supervise the students. 
Students will send letters to potential respondents requesting an 
interview, follow-up with a telephone call to schedule the interview, 
and arrange a convenient time for the interview.
    Forest Service research scientists with the Southern Research 
Station Forestry Sciences Lab in Athens, Georgia, will work with 
faculty in the Environmental Studies Program at the College of 
Charleston to analyze and evaluate the collected information, which 
will be published and available from the Southern Research Station in 
Asheville, South Carolina.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 15 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Rural residents in upper Charleston County, 
South Carolina.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 530.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 132.5.

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: November 10, 2003.
Robert Lewis,
Deputy Chief for Research & Development.
[FR Doc. 03-28860 Filed 11-18-03; 8:45 am]
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