[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77768-77769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32006]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Flathead and McKenzie Rivers and McKenzie 
National Recreational Trail Visitor Surveys

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, Flathead Wild and 
Scenic River Visitor Survey and McKenzie River Visitor Survey.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before February 13, 
2012 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: 
USDA, Forest Service, Attn: Chris Ryan, Northern Region, P.O. Box 7669, 
Missoula, MT 59807. Comments also may be submitted via email to: 
[email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Northern Region, 
200 E. Broadway, Missoula, MT, during normal business hours. Visitors 
are encouraged to call ahead to (406) 329-3522 to facilitate entry to 
the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Flathead--Colter Pence, Flathead 
National Forests, (406) 387-3949 and Willamette--Matt Peterson, 
Willamette National Forest at (541) 225-6421. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-(800) 877-8339, between 8am and 8pm, Eastern 
Standard time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Flathead Wild and Scenic River Visitor Survey and McKenzie 
River Visitor Survey.
    OMB Number: 0596-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: NA.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: The Flathead and Willamette National Forests are 
proposing to implement an information collection from forest visitors 
who are recreating on or near the Flathead Wild and Scenic River or on 
or near the McKenzie Wild and Scenic River or McKenzie National 
Recreational Trail. There are different issues on each river creating a 
need to collect different information; therefore, two separate surveys 
will be administered for the Flathead and Willamette Rivers though the 
methodology for collection will be essentially identical.
    The visitor survey will support development of the Flathead 
Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP), implementation of the 
exiting Upper McKenzie River Management Plan, and will provide needed 
information for managers to protect and enhance the outstandingly 
remarkable values for which the Flathead and McKenzie Rivers were 
designated. In addition, the survey proposed will help managers to 
identify the most important indicators to monitor over the life of the 
plan to determine if any thresholds are being approached and if 
management action may need to occur.
    Information will be collected from visitors who are recreating on 
or near the Flathead and McKenzie Rivers and McKenzie National 
Recreational Trail by in-person, written surveys which will be 
administered by Forest Service or National Park Service (Flathead) 
employees, volunteers, or study cooperators to randomly selected 
visitors. Surveys will ask visitors to provide information about their 
trip and activities, environmental and social conditions that may alter 
the quality of their recreational experience, and their attitudes 
toward different existing and potential recreation management policies 
and practices. Visitors' responses are voluntary and anonymous.
    Data will be entered into an Excel database. Once data entry has 
been completed and validated, the hardcopy questionnaires will be 
discarded. Data will be imported into SPSS (Statistical Package for the 
Social Sciences) for analysis. The database will be maintained at the 
respective National Forest to and used for development of subsequent 
management plans and direction.
    Collecting thoughts from the public on how these areas should be 
managed and consideration of their interests and priorities is a 
critical component to developing a fair and balanced management plan 
and strategy. Without the public's involvement, a plan has the risk of 
being biased and ineffective.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 20 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: National Forest and National Park (Flathead) 
visitors (adults, age 16 and older) who are recreating on or near the 
Flathead or McKenzie Rivers or the McKenzie National Recreational 
Trail.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1000 (Willamette) and 1200 
(Flathead).
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 333 hours 
(Willamette) and 400 hours (Flathead).

Comment Is Invited

    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.

[[Page 77769]]

    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: December 8, 2011.
Leanne M. Marten,
Acting Deputy Chief, NFS.
[FR Doc. 2011-32006 Filed 12-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P