[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 26450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6865]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; Ride-Along Program

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 a renewed information collection associated with the 
Ride-Along Program application, a program which allows any private 
citizen to apply to ride along with Forest Service law enforcement 
officers.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before July 5, 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 the 
Director of Law Enforcement and Investigation, Forest Service, USDA, 
Mail Stop 1140, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1140.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (703) 605-5112 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at 1621 N. Kent Street, 
Room 1015 Rosslyn Plaza East, Arlington, VA during normal business 
hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (703) 605-4690 to 
facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Melle, Law Enforcement and 
Investigations Staff, at (703) 605-4527, or send an e-mail to: 
[email protected]. 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: Ride-Along Program.
    OMB Number: 0596-0170.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension with Revision.
    Abstract: This information collection is necessary to gather 
information to assist Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigation 
(LEI) officers in determining whether to approve the applications of 
riders requesting to participate in the Ride-Along Program. The 
information collected provides additional protection for the law 
enforcement program and for LEI officers who allow authorized riders to 
accompany them in boats, cars, trucks or other vehicles by confirming 
the identity and criminal status of citizens wishing to participate in 
the program. The program provides an opportunity for citizens to learn 
about and observe Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigation 
(LEI) tasks and activities. The program is intended to enhance Forest 
Service law enforcement community relationships and cooperation, 
improve the quality of Forest Service customer service, and provide LEI 
personnel a recruitment tool. A rider must complete two forms in order 
to participate. If the information is not collected, riders will not be 
able to ride along with Forest Service law enforcement officers.
    Form FS-5300-33 is used by law enforcement officers to conduct a 
minimum background check before authorizing a person to ride along. 
Form FS-5300-34 is signed by riders and exempts law enforcement 
officers and the Forest Service from damage, loss, or injury liability 
incurred during the rider's participation in the program.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 10 minutes (5 minutes each for FS-5300-
33 and FS-5300-34).
    Type of Respondents: Citizens.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 84 hours per year.

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.
    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 information collection 
submission for Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: May 1, 2006.
Dale N. Bosworth,
Chief.
 [FR Doc. E6-6865 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am]
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