[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 169 (Thursday, September 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 52068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17380]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 26, 2005.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Forest Service

    Title: Social Dimensions of Fuel Reduction Treatment in the 
Southern Appalachian Region.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
Research Act of 1978, as amended, authorizes the Forest Service (FS) to 
collect information to help identify the range of knowledge, attitudes 
and values interested publics hold toward fuel-load reduction and 
resulting aesthetic and ecological changes. Fuel loads in the forest of 
the Southern Appalachian Mountain pose significant risk of wildfire. 
Among forest ecologists there is a growing awareness that there may be 
some value to conducting prescribed fires and mechanical thinning to 
reduce the concentration of shrubs and under-story trees in some parts 
of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. These treatments, particularly 
if they were to be implemented over large areas, would change the 
visual and ecological character of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. 
FS will collect information using the Internet and a mail-back 
questionnaire.
    Need and Use of the Information: FS will collect information 
describing respondents' perceptions of the aesthetic (visual), economic 
and ecological results of prescribed fire and mechanical thinning. The 
collected information will provide profiles of different groups or 
clusters of people and how each group perceives the economic, aesthetic 
and ecological results of forest management action. Without the 
information programs will be less efficient and accurate and unneeded 
conflicts and misunderstandings may be more common.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 600.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 304.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-17380 Filed 8-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P