[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 142 (Monday, July 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44301-44302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18629]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Homeowner Risk Reduction Behaviors
Concerning Wildfire Risks and Climate Change Impacts
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, one-time information collection, Homeowner Risk
Reduction Behaviors Concerning Wildfire Risks and Climate Change
Impacts. The information will be collected from homeowner groups, such
as homeowners associations, that have been affected by wildfires.
The information collected will focus on homeowners who live in the
wildland-urban interface and were affected by major wildfires in U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Region 3. The information
provided by this study will allow Forest Service land managers to
better understand which risk reduction behaviors homeowners choose to
undertake, as well as ones they choose not to undertake, and factors
that influence these choices, particularly factors related to climate
change impacts. This information will assist the Forest Service in
their risk communication efforts with ``at risk'' communities and
individuals.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 23,
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 Dr.
Carol Raish, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Forest Service, USDA, 333
Broadway, SE., Suite 115, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 505-724-3688 or by
e-mail to [email protected].
The public may inspect comments received at the Rocky Mountain
Research Station, Forest Service, USDA, 333 Broadway, SE., Albuquerque,
NM, during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead
to 505-724-3666 to facilitate entry to the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Carol Raish, Rocky Mountain
Research Station, at 505-724-3666. 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: Understanding the Threats of Wildfire & Climate Change: Risk
Mitigation Behaviors of Homeowners.
OMB Number: 0596-New.
Expiration Date of Approval: N/A.
Type of Request: New.
Abstract: Over the past 20 to 30 years, the population living in
areas that are threatened by wildfire has increased significantly. As
more individuals move to these areas, it has become increasingly
important to understand how they perceive the risks they face living in
these new landscapes. Much work has been done in the area of
communicating the risks of wildfire to homeowners in these fire prone
environments. However, only recently has there been a commitment to
better understand the link between wildfire events, the associated
risk, and climate change. The objective of this study is to help
decisionmakers better understand the preferences of the homeowners in
high risk areas to deal with threats that are posed from wildfire as
these risks are enhanced due to the effects of climate change. Gaining
an improved understanding of the homeowners' decisionmaking process
based on these linkages will facilitate the design of more effective
risk mitigation projects and improved communication strategies among
stakeholders.
Homeowners, located in the wildland-urban interface in areas that
were affected by wildfires, will be asked to complete a one-time
survey. The homeowners will be asked to voluntarily participate is this
survey. The survey will be mailed to homeowners by Integrated Resource
Solutions in Laguna Niguel, CA, operating under a Research Joint
Venture with the Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in
Albuquerque, NM.
The type of information collection will include: (1) Risk
perceptions regarding wildfire, (2) risk reduction behaviors associated
with wildfire, (3) sources of information regarding wildfires and
wildfire risk reduction, (4) attitudes and knowledge of climate change
and its impact on wildfire risks, and (5) socio-economic information.
The data collected will be analyzed by Forest Service researchers
at the Rocky Mountain Research Station and the following cooperators:
Drs. Ingrid and Wade Martin of California State University of Long
Beach, Long Beach, California. The results will be made available to
Forest Service land
[[Page 44302]]
managers, the respondents, and other interested parties.
This information will enhance the ability of Forest Service land
managers on national forests to communicate and understand the public
and their preferences regarding the management of wildfire risk.
Without this type of information, Forest Service land managers and the
public will continue to interact on the issues of wildfire risk without
a broad-based understanding of the factors that lessen wildfire risk;
factors that are important to homeowners.
Estimate of One Time Burden: 30 minutes.
Type of Respondents: Homeowners located in the wildland-urban
interface in the western United States.
Estimated One Time Number of Respondents: 500.
Estimated One Time Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total One Time Burden on Respondents: 250 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: July 18, 2011.
Jimmy L. Reaves,
Deputy Chief, Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 2011-18629 Filed 7-22-11; 8:45 am]
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