[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 222 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69930-69931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22900]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; Valuation of Private 
Forest Ecosystem Services in North Carolina

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 a new research study to evaluate the value of the 
ecosystem benefits provided by private forests in North Carolina to 
residents of that State.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 17, 
2006 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 
Thomas P. Holmes, Forestry Sciences Lab, Southern Research Station, 
USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box 12254, Research Triangle Park, North 
Carolina 27709.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (919) 549-4047 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at Forestry Sciences Lab, 
3041 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, 27709 
main building reception area during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to (919) 549-4000 to facilitate entry to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas P. Holmes, Southern Research 
Station, (919) 549-4031. 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:
    Title: Valuation of Private Forest Ecosystem Services in North 
Carolina.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: N/A.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: Private forests provide many benefits to the owners of 
forest land. Trees can be sold to mills that produce lumber or paper 
products; fuelwood can be sold or used by landowners; and the forest 
landscape may provide opportunities for landowners to hunt, fish, go 
walking, observe wildlife, or simply enjoy their privacy. In addition 
to private benefits, private forests provide ecosystem services to the 
general public. The public ecosystem services provided by private 
forests include supplying clean water, protecting wildlife habitat, 
maintaining populations of a variety of plants, and providing scenic 
views. Although private forest owners supply ecosystem services that 
benefit the public, members of the public usually do not have to pay 
for these services. Because ecosystem services provided by private 
forests are usually not bought or sold, forest landowners do not have 
an incentive to produce the amount of ecosystem services that the 
public demands.
    Forest Service and university researchers will collect information 
from residents of North Carolina about the value of the ecosystem 
services provided by private forest landowners in the State. The data 
and analyses will provide information to natural resource managers on 
the value of ecosystem services provided by private forests and the 
level of public support for alternative forestry programs that would 
enhance the supply of forest ecosystem services in the State.
    To gather the information, a random sample of people living in 
North Carolina will be contacted by mail and invited to participate in 
the study. The mailing will include a cover letter describing the 
purpose of the study, an information booklet describing current forest 
conditions and forest management practices in North Carolina, and a 
questionnaire to determine what the recipient thinks about forestry 
issues and alternative forestry programs in the State.
    The information will be collected by a university survey research 
center using scientific data collection methods. The information will 
be analyzed both by university and Forest Service researchers. The data 
and analyses will be provided to State and federal forest land managers 
and decision-makers to assist their development and implementation of 
programs that benefit forest landowners and the general public.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: The average annual burden estimated per 
respondent is 30 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Respondents will be a random sample of heads 
of households in North Carolina.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: The total number of 
respondents per year is 1,500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: Only one 
response per respondent will be requested.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The total annual 
burden for this information collection, computed as the number of 
minutes per respondent times the number of respondents, is 750 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

[[Page 69931]]

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: November 3, 2005.
Ann M. Bartuska,
Deputy Chief for Research & Development.
[FR Doc. 05-22900 Filed 11-17-05; 8:45 am]
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