[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 225 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70310-70311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27587]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Evaluating Community Knowledge, Beliefs, 
Attitudes, and Preferences Concerning Fire and Fuels Management in 
Southwestern Forest, Woodland and Grassland Ecosystems

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 with revision of a currently approved 
information collection, Evaluating Community Knowledge, Beliefs, 
Attitudes and Preferences Concerning Fire and Fuels Management in 
Southwestern Forest, Woodland and Grassland Ecosystems.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 20, 
2009 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 Dr. 
Carol Raish, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 333 
Broadway, SE., Suite 115, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102-3497.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 505-724-3688 or by 
e-mail to: [email protected]. The public may inspect comments received 
at USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 333 Broadway, 
SE., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102-3497, during normal business hours. 
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 505-

[[Page 70311]]

724-3666 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Carol Raish, 505-724-3666. 
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: Evaluating Community Knowledge, Beliefs, Attitudes and 
Preferences Concerning Fire and Fuels Management in Southwestern 
Forest, Woodland and Grassland Ecosystems.
    OMB Number: 0596-0200.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2009.
    Type of Request: Extension with revision.
    Abstract: Increasingly, experts recommend fire as a fuels reduction 
tool on both public and private lands, though controversy often 
inhibits its use. Insufficient communication and understanding between 
land managers and the public frequently contribute to these 
difficulties. In order to design and implement successful, socially 
acceptable fire and fuels management policies and programs, managers 
need a better understanding of the public's knowledge, attitudes, and 
practices concerning wildfire. Phase I of this project collected 
information from members of the public residing in Arizona and New 
Mexico.
    Phase I collected information using a mail survey of households 
located in Arizona and New Mexico. The response rate to the mailed 
questionnaires (n=2000) was 25.1 percent. The type of information 
collected included:
    (1) Attitudes and preferences toward wildfire and fire management 
alternatives for public lands,
    (2) Risk reduction behaviors that homeowners and individuals have 
undertaken to minimize wildfire risk, and
    (3) Sources of information regarding wildfires and wildfire 
analyzed by researchers at the Rocky Mountain Research Station and 
cooperators.
    Proponents now wish to renew this information collection and 
implement Phase II of the project, which will use the same 
questionnaire to collect data from regional experts in fire risk 
behavior and mitigation actions. The plan is to interview 50 experts 
individually or in small focus groups (5-7 participants). Interviews 
will last one hour per individual and two hours per focus group. 
Interviewers will emphasize sections A through E of the approved survey 
instrument of this information collection. These sections focus on 
wildfire risk-management options for reducing risks to homeowners, the 
effectiveness of each option, the responsibilities of the various 
parties for risk reduction actions, and the perceived knowledge of the 
homeowners regarding wildfire risks.
    Estimates are that 60 percent of respondents will consist of State 
fire representatives from Arizona and New Mexico; local government fire 
officials at the county and city levels charged with implementing fire 
mitigation programs; and individual members of the private sector 
considered wildfire risk-mitigation experts. The remaining respondents 
(40 percent) will be Federal employees considered experts in this 
field: U.S. Forest Service in Region 3 (30 percent), and Bureau of Land 
Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs (10 percent). As the Paperwork 
Reduction Act does not regulate responses provided by Federal 
employees, this information collection request is for the portion of 
the study affecting non-Federal entities (State, county, and city 
officials, and individuals).
    Researchers will compare results of the expert interviews with 
results of the previously conducted qualitative and quantitative 
interviews (Phase I). In addition, information from Phase II will 
assist in development of a more detailed survey instrument for future 
research. Future research will help statistically verify that there is 
or is not a statistically significant variation between the experts in 
wildfire management and homeowners in Region 3. Prior to implementing 
such a survey, proponents would return to OMB for approval.
    This information collection provides information to decision 
makers, enhancing understanding of the similarities and differences 
between experts and the public concerning wildfire mitigation options 
and preferences in Arizona and New Mexico. This information will assist 
Forest Service land managers in their efforts to interact more 
effectively with the public and manage the risks associated with 
wildland fire. If managers do not have adequate information concerning 
public attitudes and actions concerning wildfire risk reduction 
behaviors (for example, creating defensible space on their properties 
by clearing brush and trees from a 30-foot area around the residence), 
then managers may not make well-informed decisions concerning 
appropriate communication techniques and needed public education 
information.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 2 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 30.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 60 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: November 17, 2008.
Ann Bartuska,
Deputy Chief, Research and Development.
[FR Doc. E8-27587 Filed 11-19-08; 8:45 am]
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