[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 220 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 64191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22316]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 220 / Thursday, November 15, 2007 / 
Notices  

[[Page 64191]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Equal Opportunity Compliance Review 
Record

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for Comment; 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 new information collection, Equal Opportunity 
Compliance Review Record.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 14, 
2008 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 Civil 
Rights, Mail Stop 1142, Forest Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-1142.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (202) 205-5054 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at USDA Forest Service, 
Civil Rights, 201 14th St., SW., Room 4SW, Washington, DC 20024 during 
normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 202-
205-8534 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Jackman, Civil Rights, (202) 205-
0989. 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: Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Record.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract:
    All Federal agencies must comply with equal opportunity laws:
     Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
     Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.
     The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended.
     Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
     Executive orders prohibiting discrimination in the 
delivery of all programs and services to the public.
    Federal agencies and the entities receiving Federal financial 
assistance for the delivery of agency programs are prohibited from 
discriminating. Federal financial assistance is defined as, ``Federal 
monies given through grants, cooperative agreements, commercial special 
use permits, training presented by the agency, loan/temporary 
assignment of Federal personnel, or loan/use of Federal property at or 
below market value.''
    The equal opportunity laws require agencies to conduct periodic 
program compliance reviews of recipients of Federal Financial 
Assistance to ensure they are adhering to the nondiscrimination 
statutes. The statutes require that prior to awarding support or 
issuing permits, the Federal government shall conduct pre-award reviews 
to ensure that potential recipients understand their responsibilities 
to provide services equitable pursuant to the law. Thereafter, during 
the partnership with the agency, ongoing monitoring and subsequent 
periodic program compliance reviews will take place to ensure that 
program beneficiaries are served without any barriers to information, 
activities, program/facility access or discrimination and that 
recipient(s)'s employees understand their customer service role.
    Forest Service employees will use form FS-1700-6, Equal Opportunity 
Compliance Review Record, to collect information and document assisted 
program compliance reviews. Collection will occur during face-to-face 
meetings or telephone interviews conducted by Forest Service employees 
integral to the pre-award and post award process. The pre-award civil 
rights review will take place prior to the award of a grant, signing of 
a cooperative agreement, letting of commercial special use permit, or 
similar activity. The post award interview may take place once every 
five years, or upon report/discovery of discrimination.
    The information collected is for internal use only and is utilized 
to establish civil rights compliance, identify opportunities for 
training or technical assistance, and actions toward compliance. 
Information is only shared with the recipient and other Federal 
agencies who share in the financial assistance activities with the same 
recipient(s). Monitoring reviews are required and have been a 
responsibility of the Federal government since 1964. Without the 
ability to monitor assisted program recipients, the Forest Service 
would not be able to administer compliance and improve customer 
service.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of Respondents: Recipients of Federal financial assistance.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 3,400.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,400 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: November 2, 2007.
Hank Kashdan,
Deputy Chief, Business Operations.
[FR Doc. E7-22316 Filed 11-14-07; 8:45 am]
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