[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 134 (Thursday, July 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39656-39657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11045]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; Economic, Social, 
and Cultural Aspects of Livestock Ranching

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 the extension of a currently approved information 
collection, Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Livestock 
Ranching on the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests. The extension is 
necessary to complete collection of baseline data on the economic, 
social, and cultural contributions of livestock owners in

[[Page 39657]]

northern New Mexico. The information provided by this study will help 
the Forest Service administer grazing permits more effectively to 
better meet the needs of grazing permittees in northern New Mexico. The 
information will also be used for purposes of public education.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 11, 
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 Carol 
Raish, Research Social Scientist, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain 
Research Station, 333 Broadway, SE., Suite 115, Albuquerque, NM 87102-
3497.
    Comments may also be submitted via facsimile to (505) 724-3688 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at 333 Broadway, SE., 
Suite 115, Albuquerque, NM 87102-3497 during normal business hours. 
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (505) 724-3666 to facilitate 
entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Raish, Rocky Mountain Research 
Station, at 505-724-3666. 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: Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Livestock Ranching 
on the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests.
    OMB Number: 0596-0171.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Management of Federal lands is often hampered because 
land managing agencies lack sufficient information to understand and 
monitor socio-cultural values and changing attitudes toward land and 
resource use. This lack of up-to-date information impedes efforts of 
the Forest Service (FS) to work with livestock ranchers who graze their 
cattle under permit on Forest Service managed lands (permittees).
    In northern New Mexico, many grazing permittees are descendants of 
Hispanic settlers who farmed and ranched in the area for 400 years. 
Prior to the United States takeover of the region in 1848, much of the 
land now grazed under Federal permits was owned or used by local 
communities under Spanish and Mexican land grants. Cultural differences 
and historic problems over land use contribute to disagreements and 
misunderstandings between the permittees and Federal land managers.
    This study, along with a 1998 pilot study conducted on the 
Espa[ntilde]ola and Canjilon districts, will encompass all grazing 
permittees on the two forests. It will provide data on economic, 
social, and cultural contributions of livestock ownership to the 
grazing permittees of northern New Mexico. Prior studies conducted in 
the late 1960s and 1970s require updating and revision to provide the 
most current information. Additionally, our pilot study indicates that 
there is a need for a broader base of data.
    The results of this research should help agency personnel manage 
the land more effectively and work more cooperatively with livestock 
grazing permittees. Such information may also serve to improve agency 
relations with area communities by promoting greater understanding of 
the local culture and the role of livestock ownership in that culture. 
As the public becomes more involved in the Federal land management 
decision-making process, the need for public education on the 
relationship between land and the rural way of life increases.
    To collect the required information, social science researchers 
from the Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service will 
personally administer a questionnaire to grazing permittees from the 
Santa Fe and Carson National Forests. Respondents who are unable to 
schedule an interview will have the option of returning their completed 
questionnaire by mail.
    The data collected will describe the economic, social, and cultural 
contributions of livestock operations to grazing permittees including: 
(1) Background information on the permittee and his/her family; (2) 
background information on the livestock operation; (3) contribution of 
the livestock operation to the household economy; (4) contribution of 
the livestock operation to the culture and lifestyle; (5) land use 
values of the family and community. After completing the information 
collection, researchers will compile and analyze the data.
    The compiled data from this study will be used to assist managers 
on the two forests to work more effectively with grazing permittees by 
encouraging increased intercultural understanding. Additionally, the 
collected information may be used in developing and updating grazing 
allotment plans and in developing forest plan revisions. This type of 
information is also valuable in public education programs concerning 
the rural culture of northern New Mexico. The results of this study 
will also serve as the foundation for multiple research publications.
    Since this study is designed to provide information on small-scale 
livestock operations on Federal allotments, its implementation is of 
considerable importance. If this data is not collected, grazing 
allotment plans and forest plan revisions for the target forests will 
not be based on the most current and appropriate socio-cultural and 
economic information. Furthermore, agency relations with the community 
may be hindered from a lack of knowledge that might otherwise help to 
promote intercultural understanding and cooperation.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1.5 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Livestock ranchers/owners (permittees) who 
have permits to graze cattle or sheep on the Santa Fe and Carson 
National Forests of northern New Mexico.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 50 respondents annually for 
3 years; totaling 150 individual respondents.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 75 hours annually; 
total 3 year burden equals 225 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 the Office 
of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: July 10, 2006.
Ann M. Bartuska,
Deputy Chief for Research & Development.
[FR Doc. E6-11045 Filed 7-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P