[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 242 (Friday, December 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67163-67164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30105]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 242 / Friday, December 18, 2009 / 
Notices  

[[Page 67163]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Public Support for Fuel Reduction 
Policies: Multimedia Versus Printed Materials

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service 
is seeking comments from all interested people and organizations on the 
extension of a currently approved information collection, Public 
Support for Fuel Reduction Policies: Multimedia Versus Printed 
Materials.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before February 16, 
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 
Armando Gonz[aacute]lez-Cab[aacute]n, Pacific Southwest, Research 
Station, Forest Service, USDA, 4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, CA 
92507.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 951-680-1501 or by 
e-mail to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at Pacific Southwest 
Research Station, Building One reception area, Forest Service, USDA, 
4599 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, CA, during normal business hours. 
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 951-680-1501 to assist entry 
into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Armando Gonz[aacute]lez-Cab[aacute]n, 
Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 951-680-1525. 
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: Public Support for Fuel Reduction Policies: Multimedia 
Versus Printed Materials.
    OMB Number: 0596-0203.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2010.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: This information collection is being undertaken to 
solicit information on public support of two fuel reduction programs: 
prescribed burning and mechanical treatment. Researchers will evaluate 
the responses of California and Montana residents to different 
scenarios related to fire hazard reduction programs, determine how 
effective residents think the programs are, and calculate how much 
residents would be willing to pay to implement the alternatives 
presented to them.
    The results of the survey will allow researchers to provide better 
information to natural resource, forest, and fire managers when they 
are contemplating the kind and type of fire hazard reduction program to 
implement to achieve forestland management planning objectives. In 
addition, the survey will assist forest and fire managers in developing 
educational and outreach material for forest homeowners, schools, 
public meetings, and State and Private Forestry extension programs.
    To gather the information, a stratified random sample of California 
and Montana residents will be contacted by telephone through a random-
digit dialing process. Those contacts who agree to participate in the 
study will be asked an introductory set of questions to determine their 
pre-existing knowledge of fuels reduction treatments. The respondents 
will be informed that a more in-depth, self-administered video 
questionnaire will be mailed to them.
    Upon receipt of the video, participants will also be asked to watch 
the videotape; answer questions on the attached answer sheet; and 
return the answer sheet to the Forest Service researchers in a postage-
paid, preaddressed envelope included with the initial mailing. After 2 
weeks, a reminder post card will be sent to all participants who have 
not responded. A week later, a second, duplicate videotape will be sent 
to all participants who have not responded. After resending the 
duplicate video, no additional contact will take place with 
participants.
    The information will be collected by a university research survey 
center and will be analyzed by a Forest Service researcher and a 
researcher at a cooperating university who are experienced in applied 
economic nonmarket valuation research and survey research.
    At present the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of 
Indian Affairs, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and 
many State agencies with fire protection responsibilities are planning 
to embark on ambitious and costly fuels reduction program for fire risk 
reduction without a clear understanding of the public's opinion on 
which treatments are most effective or even desirable.
    Information collected in this research will help natural resource 
and fire managers to better understand the public's opinions on fuels 
reduction activities and what type of media could be more effective in 
conveying information to the public.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 30 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Stratified random sample of heads of 
households.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 500 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.


[[Page 67164]]


    Dated: December 14, 2009.
Ann Bartuska,
Deputy Chief, Research & Development.
[FR Doc. E9-30105 Filed 12-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P