[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 18 (Monday, January 29, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3976-3977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1311]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; National Survey on Recreation and the 
Environment

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 revision of a currently approved information 
collection, National Survey on Recreation and the Environment.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before March 30, 2007 
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 H. 
Ken Cordell, USDA Forest Service, 320 Green Street, Athens, GA 30602-
2044.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (706) 559-4266 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at Research Work Unit SRS-
4953, USDA Forest Service, 320 Green Street, Athens, GA, Room 233, 
during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 
(706) 559-4262 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: H. Ken Cordell, Research Work Unit 
SRS-4901, 706-559-4263. 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: National Survey on Recreation and the Environment.
    OMB Number: 0596-0127.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 8/31/07.
    Type of Request: Revision.
    Abstract: Federal land-managing agencies are responsible for the 
management of more than 650 million acres of public lands; this 
includes management for recreation opportunities. To manage well and 
wisely, knowledge of recreation demands, opinions, preferences, and 
attitudes regarding the management of these lands is imperative and 
necessary to the development of effective policy, planning, and on-the-
ground management. For all federal agencies, input from and knowledge 
about the public is mandatory.
    For both land and non-land management agencies, the collection and 
analysis of public demand data is vital to designing effective policies 
and programs for the management and use of water, forest, and wildlife 
resources. Authorizing legislation for this collection is the Forest 
and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) (PL 93-378-88 
Stat. 475), which directs the Secretary of Agriculture to assess the 
status of the Nation's forest and range lands periodically and to 
recommend a Forest Service program for their sustained management and 
use. Among the program areas included in the Forest Service assessment 
are outdoor recreation and wilderness.
    This collection is a multi-agency partnership. The Forest Service 
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) and the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (U. S. Department of Commerce) are the lead 
agencies. This is the ninth in a series of surveys conducted since 
1960. The survey:
    (1) Measures the public demand on the Nation's land, water, and 
other natural resources for outdoor recreation;
    (2) Identifies public perceptions of accessibility to recreational 
sites;
    (3) Seeks public feedback regarding the management of public 
recreation sites and natural resources;
    (4) Asks for suggestions on how public agencies can improve 
management of public recreation areas and natural resources;
    (5) Seeks information on public attitudes about the environment and 
preferences for public and private recreational sites; and
    (6) Identifies shifts in recreational demands that might influence 
the delivery of recreational services.
    The survey consists of a telephone survey of 75,000 individuals, 
age 16 or older, residing in the United States and will be conducted 
using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) technology. The 
Human Dimensions Research Laboratory at the University of Tennessee in 
Knoxville, TN will conduct the telephone interviews and data 
collection. A team of research scientists representing the main federal 
agencies involved in the survey will analyze the data. Both English and 
Spanish versions of the questionnaires will be used.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 15 minutes per respondent.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 65.

[[Page 3977]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,915.
    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: January 22, 2007.
Jimmy L. Reaves,
Associate Deputy Chief for Research & Development.
[FR Doc. E7-1311 Filed 1-26-07; 8:45 am]
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