[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 249 (Monday, December 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 74266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-25408]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 249 / Monday, December 31, 2007 / 
Notices  

[[Page 74266]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Foreign Travel Proposal

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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, Foreign Travel 
Proposal.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before February 29, 
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 
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, International Programs, 
Travel Section, 1099 14th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20050.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 540-659-4670 or by 
e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at 1099 14th St., NW., 
Room 5500W, Washington, DC, during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to 202-273-4695 to facilitate entry to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra Farber, Forest Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, International Programs, Travel Section, 540-
659-2973. 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: Foreign Travel Proposal.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: The Forest Service is seeking approval to collect 
information from individuals traveling to foreign countries on behalf 
of the Agency. The collection of this information is necessary to 
facilitate timely issuance of foreign travel authorizations, including 
the release, issuance, and/or renewal of official United States 
government passports; issuance of necessary visas; and country 
clearance. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
International Programs Travel Section uses FS-6500-1, Foreign Travel 
Proposal, to collect the information.
    Information collected includes the traveler's destination, purpose 
of trip, and dates of travel. Also collected are name, address, contact 
telephone numbers, birth date and place, social security numbers, 
passport information, security clearance, as well as contacts at each 
destination and hotel information. Analysis of the information for 
accuracy is routine.
    Use of the information provided by the traveler or their designee 
depends upon circumstances. Name, place of birth, and passport goes to 
each destination's United States embassy via a country clearance cable 
and is necessary to obtain the embassy's approval of travel. Security 
clearance is necessary to allow the traveler entry to specific areas 
within United States embassies abroad. The embassies use the 
destination information for contact purposes, and it is for the safety 
of the traveler.
    Without collection of this information, the Forest Service cannot 
provide support to international programs or other countries who have 
requested assistance. Collection of this information occurs each time a 
non-federal traveler requests approval for foreign travel on behalf of 
the Forest Service. The International Programs Travel Section does 
maintain files beyond the end of each trip. Shredding of records 
containing the collected information occurs upon the completion of the 
associated trip.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 15 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Personal services agreement employees, 
personal services contractors, contractors, and volunteers.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6.25 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: December 17, 2007.
Abigail R. Kimbell,
Chief, Forest Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-25408 Filed 12-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P