[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 228 (Monday, November 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 62556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28451]



[[Page 62556]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Operating Plans

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 revision of a currently approved 
information collection, Operating Plans.

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 
Lathrop Smith, Forest Management, Mail Stop 1103, Forest Service, USDA, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1103.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 202-205-1045 or by 
e-mail to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the 
Director, Forest Management Staff, Forest Service, USDA, Room 3NW, 
Yates Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC, during 
normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 202-
205-1496 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lathrop Smith, Forest Management, 202-
205-0858. 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: Operating Plans.
    OMB Number: 0596-0086.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2010.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The National Forest Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 472a(14)(c) 
(Act), requires timber sale operating plans on timber sales that exceed 
2 years in length. Operating plans are collected within 60 days of 
award of a timber sale contract and annually thereafter until contract 
is complete. Contracts less than 2 years in length require an annual 
plan. Each FS-2400-3P, FS-2400-3S, FS-2400-3T, FS-2400-6, FS-2400-6T, 
timber sale contract, and FS-2400-13 and FS-2400-13T Integrated 
Resource contract lists the information requirements for the subject 
contract.
    The information collection under each contract varies depending on 
the size, scope, and length of the contract. The collection generally 
includes descriptions showing planned road maintenance and construction 
methods, timber harvesting, stewardship work (Integrated Resource 
Contracts only), slash disposal, and erosion control measures. Plans 
may also be required to address measures contractors will use to 
protect public safety in work areas; measures to prevent and control 
fires; and methods to prevent and control spills of petroleum products.
    Contracting officers collect this information from contractors. 
Information required by a timber sale contract may be submitted in a 
variety of formats including forms developed by individual contractors, 
charts, letters, or optional Forest Service form FS-2400-67. 
Contractors may submit the information by electronic mail, facsimile, 
or via conventional mail.
    The information is needed by the Agency for a variety of uses 
associated with the administration of Timber Sale and Integrated 
Resource contracts including the following: (1) Planning and scheduling 
contract administration workloads, (2) planning and scheduling the 
delivery of government furnished materials needed by contractors, (3) 
assuring safety of public in vicinity of contract work, (4) identifying 
contractor resources that may be used in emergency fire fighting 
situations, and (5) determining contractor eligibility for additional 
contract time.
    Without accurate plans showing when and how a contractor intends to 
operate, the Forest Service would be hindered in fulfilling its 
contractual obligations to cooperate with and not encumber the 
performance of contractors. This could lead to serious problems 
including disputes, claims, and possible default. Without this 
information, the Forest Service may be unable to determine if a 
contractor is eligible for additional contract time to complete a 
project.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1.6 hours per response.
    Type of Respondents: Contractors of Timber Sale and/or Integrated 
Resource contracts.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2,500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.8.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,200 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 request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: November 20, 2009.
Gloria Manning,
Associate Deputy Chief, NFS.
[FR Doc. E9-28451 Filed 11-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P