[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 31674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12355]



[[Page 31674]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Qualified Products List for Long-Term 
Retardant Fire Suppressants

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 extension (without revision) of a currently 
approved information collection, Qualified Products List for Long-Term 
Retardant Fire Suppressants.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 4, 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 
Victoria Henderson, Branch Director, Equipment and Chemicals, Forest 
Service, USDA, National Interagency Fire Center, 3833 S. Development 
Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 208-387-5971 or by 
e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the National 
Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), Jack Wilson Building, Boise, Idaho, 
Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors are encouraged 
to call ahead to 208-387-5348 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Les Holsapple, Missoula Technology and 
Development Center (MTDC), 406-829-6761, or Cecilia Johnson, MTDC, 406-
329-4819, or Tory Henderson, NIFC, 208-387-5348. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of 
the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Qualified Products List for Long-Term Retardant Fire 
Suppressants.
    OMB Number: 0596-0184.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 1/31/2009.
    Type of Request: Extension without revision.
    Abstract: The Forest Service's Missoula Technology and Development 
Center (MTDC) staff evaluates and approves commercially available long-
term fire retardant products prior to use during fire management 
activities on lands managed by the Forest Service and Federal 
cooperators.
    Missoula Technology and Development Center staff tests for safety, 
effectiveness, and efficiency. In conducting safety evaluations, the 
staff utilizes the ``List of Known and Suspected Carcinogens'' and the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ``List of Highly Hazardous 
Materials,'' as well as industry standard confidential disclosure and 
technical data sheets. Products deemed safe for use do not contain 
ingredients that create an enhanced risk (in typical use) to 
firefighters or the public, as well as aquatic (fish and clean water) 
and terrestrial environments (wildlife and plants). Additional risk 
analysis may be required.
    Effectiveness tests for these products determine product ability to 
reduce fire spread and intensity even after the water carrier has 
evaporated away.
    Efficiency evaluations are based on:
    (1) The range of mix ratios of concentrate products and water 
appropriate for storage and handling in typical wildland fire 
operations, providing products that are storable and/or can be kept 
available on fire equipment; and
    (2) Whether readily available equipment and facilities can mix and 
distribute the product.
    Manufacturers submit the following information to MTDC:
    (1) List of specific ingredients and quantity used in the 
formulation of the products,
    (2) Identification of specific sources of supply for each 
ingredient, and
    (3) Specific mixing requirements.
    Testing begins once manufacturers (and/or their suppliers) have 
submitted information and payment for analysis and evaluation. If a 
risk analysis is necessary, the Agency requests a copy of the product 
labeling from the manufacturer. In such instances, a third party 
assesses specific levels of products or ingredients in typical 
application relative to human and environmental health.
    This collection of information is necessary for testing and 
analyzing/evaluating purposes to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and 
efficiency of products prior to use. Without this information 
collection, the Agency's ability to solicit and award wildland-fire 
foam contracts would be compromised.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 3.6 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Manufacturers (and their suppliers) of long-
term fire retardant products.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 3.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 64.8 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    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 submission request 
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: May 27, 2008.
Robin L. Thompson,
Associate Deputy Chief, State & Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. E8-12355 Filed 6-2-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P