[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 141 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41758-41760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11732]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; Visitor Permit and 
Visitor Registration Card

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 of information collection 0596-0019 
(Visitor Permit and Visitor Registration Card). This information will 
help the

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Forest Service ensure that visitors' use of National Forest System 
lands is in the public interest and compatible with the mission of the 
agency.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 22, 
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 
Wilderness Program Manager; Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Staff, 
Mail Stop 1125, Forest Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20090-1125.
    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 the Office of the 
Director, Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Staff, 201 14th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to (202) 205-0818 to facilitate entry to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Boutcher, Wilderness 
Information Manager, Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Staff at 
(802) 951-6771 x1210 or [email protected]. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, 
including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Visitor Permit and Visitor Registration Card.
    OMB Number: 0596-0019.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The Organic Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 473), the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131), Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 
1271) and Executive Order 11644 (Use of Off-Road Vehicles in the Public 
Lands), require the Forest Service manage the forests to benefit both 
land and people. The information collected from the Visitor's Permit 
Form (FS-2300-30) and Visitor Registration Card Form (FS-2300-32) will 
help the Forest Service ensure that visitors' use of National Forest 
System lands is in the public interest and is compatible with the 
mission of the agency. Information will be collected from National 
Forest System land visitors, who will be asked to describe their 
intended use of the land and their estimated duration of use.
    The Visitor's Permit Form (FS-2300-30) is required for visitors to 
enter many special management areas on National Forest System Lands, 
including Wilderness Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, restricted off-road 
vehicle areas, and campgrounds where use is controlled through 
reservation and permit systems. The permit is only used where public 
use levels must be managed and monitored to prevent resource damage, to 
preserve the quality of the experience, or to maintain public safety. 
The personal contact generated by issuance of the permit results in 
improved visitor education and information about proper camping 
techniques, fire prevention, safety, and sanitation. The information 
collected from the Visitor's Permit Form may also be used to respond to 
indicators or standards in a Forest Plan or Wilderness Management Plan. 
The Visitor's Permit Form captures the visitor's name and address, area 
to be visited, dates of visit, length of stay, method of travel, number 
of people, and number of pack and saddle stock (that is, the number of 
animals either carrying people or their gear) in the group. The 
Visitor's Permit is usually issued by Forest Service employees at an 
office location. Visitors may obtain the permit in person or call ahead 
and provide the required information over the phone. The information 
collection does not involve the use of automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques.
    The Visitor Registration Card Form (FS-2300-32) is a voluntary 
registration card, which provides Forest Service managers with an 
inexpensive means of gathering visitor use information required by 
management plans, without imposing mandatory visitor permit 
regulations. Moreover, the information collected can be used to respond 
to indicators or standards in a Forest Plan or Wilderness Management 
Plan without requiring a mandatory permit system to gather and record 
the data. Use of the Visitor Registration Card Form is one of the most 
efficient means of collecting data from visitors. It allows the Forest 
Service to collect data in remote locations, where it is not feasible 
to have permanent staffing. The Visitor Registration Card Form (FS-
2300-32) is normally made available at un-staffed entry locations such 
as trailheads, and is completed by the visitor without Forest Service 
assistance. The Visitor Registration Card Form provides information 
from wilderness and special management area visitors including name and 
address, area to be visited, dates of visit, length of stay, method of 
travel, number of people, and number of pack and saddle stock (that is, 
the number of animals either carrying people or their gear) in the 
group, and number of watercraft or vehicles. The information is 
collected once from visitors during their visit, and later gathered by 
Forest Service employees who then analyze the information.
    The use of these two forms allows managers to identify heavily used 
areas, to prepare restoration and monitoring plans that reflect where 
use is occurring, and in extreme cases, to develop plans to move forest 
users to lesser impacted areas. They also provide managers with 
information useful in locating lost forest visitors. Not being able to 
use these forms could result in overuse and site deterioration in some 
environmentally sensitive areas. Furthermore, without these forms, the 
Forest Service would be required to undertake special studies to 
collect use data, and could be pressed to make management decisions 
based on insufficient or inaccurate data. The information collected 
will not be shared with other organizations inside or outside the 
government.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 3 minutes (FS-2300-30), 3 minutes (FS-
2300-32).
    Type of Respondents: Individuals and groups requesting use of 
National Forest System Wilderness and special management areas.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 386,400 respondents.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 19,320 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.


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     Dated: July 14, 2006.
 Gloria Manning,
 Associate Deputy Chief.
[FR Doc. E6-11732 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P