[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 107 (Monday, June 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 32302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8641]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; Homeowner Risk 
Reduction Behaviors Concerning Wildfire Risks

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 new, one-time information collection, Homeowner Risk 
Reduction Behaviors Concerning Wildfire Risks. The information will be 
collected from homeowner groups, such as homeowners associations, that 
have been affected by wildfires.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 4, 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 Dr. 
Brian Kent, Project Leader, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Forest 
Service, USDA, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (970) 295-5959 or 
by e-mail to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Rocky Mountain 
Research Station, Forest Service, USDA, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, 
Fort Collins, Colorado, during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to (970) 295-5955 to facilitate entry to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Brian Kent, Rocky Mountain 
Research Station, at (970) 295-5955. 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: Homeowner Risk Reduction Behaviors Concerning Wildfire 
Risks.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: N/A.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: The threat of wildfire to residents located in areas next 
to forested public lands has increased significantly during the last 
decade. As homeowners migrate to areas that are at increased risk from 
wildfire, they face important decisions regarding how much risk to 
accept from various sources. An important component of making decisions 
regarding risk is to understand the behaviors that are effective at 
reducing the risk and the information sources that are considered 
reliable for risk reduction information. To gain a better insight into 
homeowners' perceptions of wildfire risk, behaviors that reduce 
wildfire risk, and most effective methods of communicating the risk of 
wildfire, it is important to collect information directly from the 
homeowners that are at risk. The results of the collection will provide 
important information for public land managers and private homeowners 
that will improve the understanding of the issues and options between 
both groups.
    Homeowners located in the wildland-urban interface in areas that 
were affected by wildfires, will be asked to return surveys. The 
homeowners are members of organized homeowners associations and their 
participation is voluntary. The survey will be presented to three focus 
groups, each comprised of seven Homeowner Association members; after 
which, the survey will be mailed to homeowners by Integrated Resource 
Solutions in Boulder, Colorado, operating under a Research Joint 
Venture with the Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in Fort 
Collins, Colorado.
    The type of information collection will include: (1) Risk 
perceptions regarding wildfire, (2) risk reduction behaviors associated 
with wildfire, (3) sources of information regarding wildfires and 
wildfire risk reduction, and (4) socio-economic information.
    The data collected will be analyzed by Forest Service researchers 
at the Rocky Mountain Research Station and the following cooperators: 
Drs. Ingrid and Wade Martin of California State University of Long 
Beach, Long Beach, California, and Dr. Holly Bender of Integrated 
Resource Solutions, Boulder, Colorado. The results will be made 
available to Forest Service land managers, the respondents, and other 
interested parties.
    This information will enhance the ability of Forest Service land 
managers on National Forests to understand public preferences regarding 
the management of wildfire risk. Without this type of information, 
Forest Service land managers and the public will continue to interact 
on the issues of wildfire risk without a broad-based understanding of 
the factors that lessen wildfire risk, factors that are important to 
homeowners.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 20 minutes for homeowners; 1 hour for 
each focus group member.
    Type of Respondents: Homeowners located in the wildland-urban 
interface in the western United States.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,500 homeowners; 21 
Homeowner Association focus group participants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 500 hours--
homeowners; 21 hours Homeowner Association focus group members.

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 request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: May 26, 2006.
Jimmy L. Reaves,
Associate Deputy Chief, Research and Development.
[FR Doc. E6-8641 Filed 6-2-06; 8:45 am]
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