[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11345-11346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5761]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection: Ride-Along Program

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 a new information collection associated with the Ride-
Along Program application, a program which allows any private citizen 
to

[[Page 11346]]

apply to ride along with Forest Service law enforcement officers.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before May 18, 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 the 
Director of Law Enforcement and Investigations, USDA Forest Service, 
Mail Stop 1140, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1140.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 703-605-5112, or by 
e-mail to Gene Smithson at [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at 1621 N. Kent Street, 
Room 1015, Rosslyn Plaza East, Arlington, VA, during normal business 
hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 703-605-4690 to 
facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Smithson, Acting Assistant 
Director for Enforcement and Liaison, LE&I, 703-605-4530. Individuals 
who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 twenty-four 
hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Forest Service Law Enforcement Ride-Along Program.
    OMB Number: 0596-0170.
    Type of Request: Renewal.
    Abstract: This information collection is necessary for Forest 
Service Law Enforcement and Investigations (LE&I) personnel to 
authorize a rider who applies to participate in the Ride-Along program. 
The information collection also provides additional protection for LE&I 
personnel who allow authorized riders to accompany them in boats, cars, 
trucks, or other vehicles. The purpose of this program is for citizens 
to learn about and observe Forest Service LE&I tasks and activities. 
The program is intended to enhance Forest Service law enforcement 
community relationships, improve the quality of Forest Service customer 
service, and provide LE&I personnel a recruitment tool. A rider shall 
complete two forms in order to participate. Form FS-5300-33 asks for 
the participant's name, address, social security number, driver's 
license number, work address, location of the Ride-Along, and the 
reason for the Ride-Along. Law enforcement officers use form FS-5300-33 
to conduct a minimum background check before authorizing a person to 
ride along. Form FS-5300-34 is signed by riders to exempt law 
enforcement officers and the Forest Service from damage, loss, or 
injury liability incurred during the rider's participation in the 
program. If the information is not collected, riders will be denied 
permission to ride along with Forest Service law enforcement personnel.
    Estimate of Annual Burden:

FS-5300-33: 5 minutes.
FS-5300-34: 5 minutes.
Total: 10 minutes.

    Type of Respondents: Citizens who want to learn about and observe 
Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigation (LE&I) tasks and 
activities.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 84 hours per year.
    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 information collection 
submission for Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: March 3, 2009.
Abigail R. Kimball,
Chief, Forest Service.
[FR Doc. E9-5761 Filed 3-16-09; 8:45 am]
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