[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40874-40875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17444]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Equal Opportunity Compliance Review 
Record

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 new information collection, Equal Opportunity 
Compliance Review Record.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 12, 
2011 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 Civil 
Rights, Mail Stop 1142, Forest Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-1142.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 202-260-5054 or by 
e-mail to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at USDA Forest Service, 
Civil Rights, 201 14th St., SW., Room 4SW, Washington, DC 20024 during 
normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 202-
205-8534 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Jackman, Civil Rights, 202-205-
0989 or [email protected]. Individuals who use a TTY may call 711 or 
the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, 
every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Record.
    OMB Number: 0596-0215 renewal.
    Type of Request: Renewal.
    Abstract:
    All Federal agencies must comply with equal opportunity laws:
     Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
     Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.
     The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended.
     Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
     Executive orders prohibiting discrimination in the 
delivery of all programs and services to the public.
    Federal agencies and entities receiving Federal financial 
assistance are prohibited from discriminating. Federal financial 
assistance is defined as, ``Federal monies given by grants, cooperative 
agreements, commercial special use permits, training, loan/temporary 
assignment of Federal personnel, or loan/use of Federal property at 
below market value.''
    The equal opportunity laws require agencies to conduct compliance 
reviews to ensure that entities receiving Federal Financial Assistance 
from the government are adhering to the nondiscrimination statutes. The 
statutes require that prior to awarding support or issuing permits, the 
Federal government shall conduct pre-award reviews to ensure that 
potential recipients understand their responsibilities to provide 
services equitable pursuant to the law. Thereafter, during the 
partnership with the agency, ongoing monitoring will take place to 
ensure the public is being served without any barriers or 
discrimination.
    Forest Service employees will use form FS-1700-6, Equal Opportunity 
Compliance Review Record, to collect information regarding actions 
taken by recipients of Federal financial assistance to ensure the 
public receives services without discrimination or barriers to access, 
and that recipients' employees understand their customer service role. 
Collection will occur during face-to-face meetings or telephone 
interviews conducted by Forest Service employees as part of the pre-
award and post award process. The pre-award interview will take place 
prior to the award of a grant, signing of a cooperative agreement, 
letting of commercial special use permit, or similar activity. The post 
award interview will take place once every 5 years, or upon report/
discovery of discrimination.
    The information collected will only be shared with other Federal 
agencies who share in the financial assistance activities with the 
Forest Service. Monitoring reviews have been a responsibility of the 
Federal government since 1964. Without the ability to monitor 
recipients of Federal financial assistance, the Forest Service would 
not be able to ensure compliance with laws and statutes. The agency 
would not be aware of potential violations, thereby resulting in 
potential discriminatory practices.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of Respondents: Recipients of Federal financial assistance.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 11,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 11,000.
    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

[[Page 40875]]

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: July 6, 2011.
Kathleen Atkinson,
Associate Deputy Chief.
[FR Doc. 2011-17444 Filed 7-11-11; 8:45 am]
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