[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 130 (Friday, July 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39985-39986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16504]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Forest Industries and Residential 
Fuelwood and Post Data Collection Systems

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the renewal of a currently approved information 
collection, Forest Industries and Residential Fuelwood and Post Data 
Collection Systems.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 4, 
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: Ronald Piva, Northern Research Station, 
Forest Inventory and Analysis, 1992 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 651-649-5140 or by 
email to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Northern Research 
Station, 1992 Folwell Ave., Room 513, St. Paul, MN during normal 
business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 651-649-5150 
to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald Piva, Northern Research 
Station, at 651-649-5150. 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: Forest Industries and Residential Fuelwood and Post Data 
Collection Systems.
    OMB Number: 0596-0010.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2012.
    Type of Request: Extension with Revision.
    Abstract: The Forest and Range Renewable Resources Planning Act of 
1974 and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 
1978 require the Forest Service to evaluate trends in the use of logs 
and wood chips, to forecast anticipated levels of logs and wood chips, 
and to analyze changes in the harvest of these resources from the 
Nation's forest resource. To collect this information, Forest Service 
or State natural resource agency personnel use three questionnaires, 
which are collected by personal mill visits or phone calls, or which 
respondents return in self-addressed, postage pre-paid envelopes, or by 
email.
    Pulpwood Received Questionnaire: Forest Service personnel use this 
questionnaire to collect and evaluate information from pulp and 
composite panel mills in order to monitor the volume, types, species, 
sources, and prices of timber products harvested throughout the Nation. 
The data collected will be used to provide essential information about 
the current use of the Nation's timber resources for pulpwood 
industrial products and is not available from other sources.
    Logs and Other Roundwood Received Questionnaire: This questionnaire 
is used by Forest Service or State natural resource agency personnel to 
collect and evaluate information from the other, non-pulp or composite 
panel, primary wood-using mills, including small, part-time mills, as 
well as large corporate entities. Primary wood-using mills are 
facilities that use harvested wood in log or chip form, such as 
sawlogs, veneer logs, posts, and poles, to manufacture a secondary 
product, such as lumber or veneer. Forest Service personnel evaluate 
the information collected and use it to monitor the volume types, 
species, sources, and prices of timber products harvested throughout 
the Nation.

[[Page 39986]]

    Residential Fuelwood and Post Questionnaire: Forest Service 
personnel use this questionnaire to collect and evaluate information 
from residential households and logging contractors in order to monitor 
the volume, types, species, sources of fuelwood and posts harvested for 
residential use, as well as the types of burning facilities in the 
State. The collected information will enable land managers to determine 
what timber to sell for use as fuelwood or fence posts, how well the 
local forested land will meet the demand for these timber products, and 
how to project future demands on these renewable natural resources.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Logs and other
                                          Pulpwood received       roundwood  received      Residential fuelwood
                                            questionnaire            questionnaire        and post questionnaire
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimate of Annual Burden Hours......  30 minutes (0.5).......  50 minutes (0.84)......  10 minutes (0.17).
Type of Respondents..................  Primary users of         Primary users of         Residential households
                                        industrial pulpwood.     industrial roundwood     and logging
                                                                 products.                contractors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Annual Number of         157......................  1,782...................  500.
 Respondents.
Estimated Annual Number of         1........................  1.......................  1.
 Responses per Respondent.
Estimated Total Annual Burden      79 hours.................  1,497 hours.............  85 hours.
 Hours on Respondents.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    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: June 28, 2012.
Deanna J. Stouder,
Associate Deputy Chief, Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 2012-16504 Filed 7-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P