[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 151 (Monday, August 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44608-44609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12727]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; Application for 
Permit, Non-Federal Commercial Use of Roads Restricted by Order

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 a currently approved information 
collection, Application for Permit, Non-Federal Commercial Use of Roads 
Restricted by Order.

[[Page 44609]]


DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before October 6, 
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 
Director, Engineering Staff, RPC5, USDA Forest Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Mail Stop 1101, Washington, DC 20250-1101.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (703) 605-1542 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the 
Director of Engineering, USDA Forest Service, 1601 N. Kent. St., Room 
500, Arlington, VA 22209 during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to (703) 605-4646 to facilitate entry to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Bell, Engineering Staff, at (703) 
605-4612. Individuals who use 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: Application for Permit, Non-Federal Commercial Use of Roads 
Restricted by Order.
    OMB Number: 0596-0016.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Authority for road use permits is derived from the 
National Forest Roads and Trails Act (Pub. L. 88-657, 16 U.S.C. 532-
538, as amended). The law authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to 
establish procedures for sharing investments in roads and to require 
commercial users to perform road maintenance commensurate with their 
use of roads. Detailed implementing regulations are contained in Title 
36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, sections 212.5, 212.9, and 
261.54. 36 CFR 212.5 and 36 CFR 212.9 authorize the Chief of the Forest 
Service to establish procedures for investment sharing and to require 
commercial users to perform road maintenance commensurate with use. 36 
CFR 261.54 contains a national prohibition against using a National 
Forest System road for commercial hauling without a permit or written 
authorization when so provided by order. Forest Service policies 
implementing the regulations are found in Forest Service Manual chapter 
7730. The policies require Forest Supervisors to enter into appropriate 
investment sharing arrangements, to require commercial users of 
National Forest System roads to perform road maintenance commensurate 
with their use, and to issue orders that implement the national 
prohibition at 36 CFR 261.54. These policies assure that those 
commercial haulers not already operating under investment and 
maintenance sharing provisions contained in Forest Service permits and 
contracts will obtain road use permits. The road use permits they 
obtain contain requirements for maintenance and investment sharing.
    FS-7700-40--Application for Permit for Non-Federal Commercial Use 
of Roads Restricted by Order. This form is used by individuals, 
corporations, or organizations that apply for a permit to use National 
Forest System roads for non-Federal commercial use. The following 
information is collected: (1) Name, address, and telephone number; (2) 
identification by Forest Service route number of roads to be used; (3) 
purpose of use; (4) use schedule; and (5) plans for future use. The 
requester submits the information to the Forest Supervisor or District 
Ranger responsible for the National Forest System roads on which 
commercial vehicular use is requested. Engineering personnel on the 
staff of the responsible National Forest System unit evaluates the 
information. The information is used by the Forest Service to identify 
road maintenance required as a direct result of the applicant's 
vehicular traffic and to calculate the applicant's commensurate share 
of road maintenance. The information will also be used to calculate 
collections for recovery of past Federal investments in roads when that 
method of sharing investment is appropriate. These fees are then 
embodied in clauses in the road use permit (FS-7700-41) issued to the 
applicant.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 15 minutes per application.
    Type of Respondents: Commercial users of National Forest System 
roads.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 500 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.

    Dated: July 28, 2006.
Gloria Manning,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
 [FR Doc. E6-12727 Filed 8-4-06; 8:45 am]
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