[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 124 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36297-36298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14552]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Valuation of Hemlock Decline on Public 
Forests in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

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 new information collection, Valuation of Hemlock 
Decline on Public Forests in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 25, 
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 
Thomas P. Holmes, Forestry Sciences Lab, Southern Research Station, 
USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box 12254, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (919) 549-4047 or 
by e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Forestry Sciences 
Lab, 3041 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, main 
building reception area during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to (919) 549-4000 to facilitate entry to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas P. Holmes, Southern Research 
Station, (919) 549-4031. 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: Valuation of Hemlock Decline on Public Forests in the 
Southern Appalachian Mountains.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: The Forest Service is seeking to determine the 
appropriate level of effort to take to protect hemlock forests on 
public land in the eastern United States from the hemlock woolly 
adelgid (HWA). The HWA is an exotic forest insect pest currently 
spreading across the eastern United States and threatens the widespread 
decline of hemlock forests. This insect has no known effective native 
predators; eastern and Carolina hemlocks have shown no resistance to 
HWA; and hemlock forests have not shown any

[[Page 36298]]

recovery following heavy, chronic infestations. While public forest 
managers have alternative protection measures available, implementation 
of these protection measures is costly and the economic benefits of 
protecting hemlock health are largely unknown.
    Eastern hemlock forests provide a suite of public and private goods 
that have economic value, including wildlife habitat, aesthetic 
landscapes, and commercial timber. In addition, hemlock forests located 
on public land provide unique natural settings for recreational 
activities, provide habitat for many species of wildlife, and help 
prevent soil erosion along the banks of streams and rivers. As the 
impacts of this invasion accrue, forest managers' demand for 
information increases.
    Forest Service and university researchers will collect and analyze 
information regarding the value of the ecosystem services provided by 
hemlock forests located on public land in the Southern Appalachian 
Mountains from residents living within 500 miles of Asheville, North 
Carolina. The data and analyses will provide guidance to public forest 
managers regarding the value of ecosystem services supplied by hemlock 
forests on the land that they manage and the level of public support 
for alternative hemlock forest-protection programs.
    Telephone interviewers will contact individual head-of-households 
via random digit dialing. Those agreeing to participate will receive a 
questionnaire via the United States Postal Service, along with a cover 
letter describing the purpose of the study, information about current 
hemlock forest conditions in Southern Appalachian Mountain public 
forests, and available protection alternatives. Approximately two weeks 
after receiving the questionnaire, respondents will share answers via 
telephone interview.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 45 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals, heads of households.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 375 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: June 23, 2008.
David A. Cleaves,
Associate Deputy Chief, Research and Development.
 [FR Doc. E8-14552 Filed 6-25-08; 8:45 am]
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