[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 228 (Monday, November 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62554-62555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28450]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Visitor Permit and Visitor Registration 
Card

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 no

[[Page 62555]]

revision of a currently approved information collection, 0596-0019. 
This information will help the Forest Service ensure that visitors' use 
of National Forest System lands is in the public interest and 
compatible with the mission of the Agency.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 29, 
2010 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 
Wilderness Program Manager, Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Staff, 
Mail Stop 1125, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 
20090.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 202-205-1145 or by 
e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the 
Director, Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Staff, 201 14th Street, 
SW., Washington, DC, during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to 202-205-9530 to facilitate entry to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Boutcher, Wilderness and Wild 
and Scenic River Staff at 802-951-6771 extension number 1210 or by e-
mail to [email protected]. 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: Request for Comment; Visitor Permit and Visitor Registration 
Card.
    OMB Number: 0596-0019.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 03/2010.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The Organic Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 473), the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131), and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 
U.S.C. 1271) require the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture 
to manage the forests to benefit both land and people. The information 
collected from the Visitor's Permit (FS-2300-30) and Visitor 
Registration Card (FS-2300-32) help the Forest Service ensure that 
visitors' use of National Forest System lands is in the public interest 
and is compatible with the mission of the agency. Information will be 
collected from National Forest System land visitors, who will be asked 
to describe the location of their visit and their estimated duration of 
use.
    The Visitor's Permit, Form FS-2300-30 is required for visitors to 
enter many special management areas on National Forest System Lands, 
including Wilderness Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and restricted off-
road vehicle areas. The permit is only used where public use levels 
must be managed and monitored to prevent resource damage, to preserve 
the quality of the experience, or to maintain public safety. The 
personal contact generated by issuance of the permit results in 
improved visitor education and information about proper camping 
techniques, fire prevention, safety, and sanitation. The information 
collected from the Visitor's Permit may also be used to respond to 
indicators or standards in a Forest Plan or Wilderness Management Plan. 
The Visitor's Permit captures the visitor's name and address, area to 
be visited, dates of visit, length of stay, method of travel, number of 
people, number of dogs, and number of pack and saddle stock (that is, 
the number of animals either carrying people or their gear) in the 
group. The Visitor's Permit is usually issued by Forest Service 
employees at an office location. Visitors may obtain the permit in 
person or call ahead and provide the required information over the 
phone. The information collection does not involve the use of 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques.
    The Visitor Registration Card, Form FS-2300-32 is a voluntary 
registration card, which provides Forest Service managers with an 
inexpensive means of gathering visitor use information required by 
management plans, without imposing mandatory visitor permit 
regulations. Moreover, the information collected can be used to respond 
to indicators or standards in a Forest Plan or Wilderness Management 
Plan without requiring a mandatory permit system to gather and record 
the data. Use of the Visitor Registration Card is one of the most 
efficient means of collecting data from visitors. It allows the Forest 
Service to collect data in remote locations, where it is not feasible 
to have permanent staffing. The Visitor Registration Card is normally 
made available at un-staffed entry locations such as trailheads, and is 
completed by the visitor without Forest Service assistance. The Visitor 
Registration Card provides information from wilderness and special 
management area visitors including name and address, area to be 
visited, dates of visit, length of stay, method of travel, number of 
people, number of dogs, number of pack and saddle stock in the group, 
and number of watercraft or vehicles. The information is collected once 
from visitors during their visit and later gathered by Forest Service 
employees who then analyze the information.
    The use of these two forms allows managers to identify heavily used 
areas, to prepare restoration, and to monitor plans that reflect where 
use is occurring, and in extreme cases, to develop plans to move forest 
users to lesser impacted areas. They also provide search and rescue 
personnel with information useful in locating lost forest visitors. The 
inability to use these forms could result in overuse and site 
deterioration in environmentally sensitive areas. Furthermore, without 
these forms, the Forest Service would be required to undertake special 
studies to collect use data and could be pressed to make management 
decisions based on insufficient or inaccurate data. The information 
collected will not be shared with other organizations inside or outside 
the government.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 3 minutes (FS-2300-30); 3 minutes (FS-
2300-32).
    Type of Respondents: Individuals and groups requesting use of 
National Forest System Wilderness and special management areas.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 386,400 respondents.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 19,320 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 submission request 
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: November 18, 2009.
Gloria Manning,
Associate Deputy Chief, NFS.
[FR Doc. E9-28450 Filed 11-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P