[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 179 (Friday, September 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54706-54707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18385]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; National Forest 
Visitor Use Monitoring

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 information collection, 
National Forest Visitor Use Monitoring.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before November 15, 
2005 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 Dr. 
Donald B.K. English, NVUM Program Manager, USDA-Forest Service, 1400 
Independence Ave SW., Washington, DC 20250.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (202) 205-1145 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at Room 4 Central, Yates 
Building, USDA-Forest Service, Recreation and Heritage Resources staff, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC during normal business 
hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (202) 205-9595 to 
facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Donald B.K. English, Recreation 
and Heritage Resources staff, at (202) 205-9595. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf may call the Federal Relay 
Service at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, 
including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 requires that 
Federal agencies establish measurable goals and monitor their success 
at meeting those goals. Two items the Forest Service must measure are: 
(1) The number of visits that occur on the National forest lands for 
recreation and other purposes, and (2) the views and satisfaction level 
of recreational visitors to National Forest System lands about the 
types and quality of recreation services the agency provides. The 
agency is often asked for this kind of information from a variety of 
organizations that include Congressional Staffs, newspapers, magazines, 
and recreational trade organizations.
    National Forest System land managers will use the collected 
information to better understand their recreational customers, to 
improve recreational opportunities and services, and to identify 
barriers that prevent the agency from meeting the recreational needs of 
its customers. Data and results from this information collection are 
key considerations in revising land and resource management plans for 
National Forests, as required by the National Forest Management Act of 
1976, and in agency strategic planning efforts. In addition, 
information and results from this collection are directly used in 
several of the OMB Program Analysis Reporting Tool (PART) measures for 
the Forest Service Recreation program. Examples include measures of 
customer satisfaction, participation in physically active outdoor 
activities, and estimates of recreation visitation.
    The currently approved information collection is designed to 
estimate the number of visits to National Forests and Grasslands for 
recreation as well as obtain information on key management issues 
including the proportion of visitors that engage in various outdoor 
recreation activities, the geographic and demographic populations 
served, visitor satisfaction with facilities and services provided, the 
amount of recreational use that occurs on designated wilderness areas, 
and salient economic aspects of recreational use of National Forests. 
The collected information will be shared with all National Forest 
System land managers and upon request, with others. Results from this 
collection will be published in agency reports and various research 
journals.
    The sampling design, survey instrument, and analysis protocols are 
also being tested at several areas by the Department of the Interior 
(DOI), Bureau of Land Management to evaluate the applicability of this 
collection as a scientifically-credible and effective means of 
obtaining visitation estimates and visitor characteristics on its 
lands. As well, the DOI National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife 
Service will be testing the protocols on their lands in Southern Nevada 
to obtain information needed to conform with the Southern Nevada Public 
Land Management Act.
    Title: National Visitor Use Monitoring.
    OMB Number: 0596-0110.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension with revision.
    Abstract: Data from this information collection is used to estimate 
the number of recreational visits to National Forests and Grasslands, 
and designated wilderness areas, as well as the types of activities in 
which these visitors participate. The data are used to identify 
recreational markets, defined customers served, evaluate visitor 
satisfaction, and estimate the economic values and impacts of 
recreational visits. Respondents are asked questions about the 
activities in which they participate while visiting National Forest 
System lands, the duration of their visit, how often they visit, what 
types of items they have purchased during their visit, and

[[Page 54707]]

their satisfaction with various aspects of the locations they visited.
    Forest Service or contractor personnel will interview visitors as 
they exit National Forest System lands at a stratified random sample of 
recreational sites and forest access points. Surveys will be conducted 
on about one-fifth of the National Forests each year, so that complete 
coverage of agency lands occurs over a five-year cycle. Results of this 
study will be published in agency reports and various research 
journals. Data gathered in this collection is not available from other 
sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 10 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: People who visit National Forest System lands.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 66,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 11,000 hours.
    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.
    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 request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: September 2, 2005.
Frederick R. Norbury,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 05-18385 Filed 9-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P