[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 147 (Monday, August 2, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46132-46133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17462]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; Public Attitudes, 
Beliefs, and Values About National Forest Systems Land Management

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the new information collection, Public Attitudes, 
Beliefs, and Values about National Forest Systems Land Management.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before October 1, 
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 Fred 
P. Clark, Human Dimensions Program Manager, Forest Service, USDA, 626 
East Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (414) 944-3974 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the first floor 
information desk at the Forest Service, USDA, 626 East Wisconsin 
Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during normal business hours. Visitors 
are encouraged to call ahead to Fred Clark at (414) 297-1181 to 
facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Clark, Human Dimensions Program 
Manager for Region 9 at (414) 297-1181.
    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: Public Attitudes, Beliefs, and Values about National Forest 
Systems Land Management.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: New.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: As a steward of public lands the USDA Forest Service must 
use public attitudes, beliefs, and values (ABV) information to inform 
resource allocation and land management decisions. Several tests will 
be done at a state level over the next three years. This series of 
tests will be used to develop a set of questions that will be pre-
approved by OMB to facilitate on-time data collection and ease of use 
by forest level social scientists and contractors.
    The need for this information is stated in various legislative 
acts, regulatory documents, laws and executive orders that define and 
guide the mission and conduct of the Forest Service, including MUSY, 
NEPA, RPA, NFMA, HFRA, Environmental Justice Executive Order, Civil 
Rights Act, and Government Performance and Results Act. The authority, 
objectives, and responsibilities associated with this guide are 
outlined in the Forest Service Handbook, Forest Service Strategic Plan.
    The information will be collected using a standard multiple 
response collection instrument. Trained interviewers will ask the 
questions on the telephone or paper questionnaires will be mailed to 
respondents. Information collection will be done by contract with a 
proven data collection manager. Information collected will include 
attitudes, beliefs, and values ABVs about fire management and 
associated treatments, vegetation management, recreation demand and 
recreation use. ABV Information will be collected from a statistically 
representative random sample of the population to enable contrasts at a 
local level, State level and national level. This information will be 
used to inform decisionmakers and as input to the forest planning 
process. Information will be analyzed by Forest Service subject matter 
experts and statisticians.
    The consequence to Forest Service Planning and Management if the 
collection is not conducted would be significant. Managers are required 
to make decisions which consider public opinion. Without the ability to 
use this standard design which includes statistically valid and 
documented methods for the collection of ABV information, data 
collection and the incorporation of that information into decisions may 
not happen. Managers may be forced to write forest plans and make 
resource allocation decisions without the benefit of knowing public 
values and beliefs about the issues and resources under consideration.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 15 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Respondents will be a random sample of the 
population of a State for these tests.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 30,000 minutes.
    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

[[Page 46133]]

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 for 
Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: July 21, 2004.
Frederick R. Norbury,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 04-17462 Filed 7-30-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P