[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18353-18354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07736]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Civil Rights Compliance Review Record--
Federally Assisted Programs

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 renewal of the information collection, Civil 
Rights Compliance Review Record--Federally Assisted Programs.
    With this renewal, the Agency has changed the name of the 
information collections from Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Record 
to Civil Rights Compliance Review Record--Federally Assisted Programs.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 5, 2015 
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will 
be considered to the extent practicable.

[[Page 18354]]


ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to USDA 
Forest Service Washington Office, Office of Civil Rights, Mail Stop 
1142, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-1142.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 703-605-5174 or by 
email to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at USDA Forest Service 
Washington Office, during normal business hours. Visitors are 
encouraged to call ahead to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pat Jackman, Civil Rights, by phone at 
202-205-0989, or via email at [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: Civil Rights Compliance Review Record--Federally Assisted 
Programs
    OMB Number: 0596-0215
    Type of Request: Extension with no change
    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; 
and
     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 non-discrimination 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, on-going monitoring will take place to 
ensure the public is being served without any barriers or 
discrimination. The compliance review tool consists of three forms, 
used consecutively during the same review.
    Forest Service employees will use form FS-1700-0006A, Civil Rights 
Compliance Review Record--Federally Assisted Programs, 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 role in ensuring equal access to services. 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 five years, or upon report/
discovery of discrimination.
    Forest Service employees will use form FS-1700-0006B, Civil Rights 
Compliance Review Record--Federally Assisted Programs, (Post-Award 
Review Interview of an Employee of the Recipient) to collect 
information from an employee of the recipient's program to assess their 
awareness of Civil Rights responsibilities to ensure the public 
receives services without discrimination or barriers to access. This 
aids in determining if recipients' have advised and trained employees 
of their customer service and Civil Rights compliance role. Collection 
will occur during face-to-face meetings or interviews conducted by 
Forest Service employees as part of the post award process. The Post-
award interview will take place once every five years, or upon report/
discovery of discrimination.
    Forest Service employees will use form FS-1700-0006C, Civil Rights 
Compliance Review Record--Federally Assisted Programs, (Post-Award 
Review Interview of a Participant) to collect information from the 
public or customers of the recipients of Federal financial assistance 
to determine if the public is receiving services without discrimination 
or barriers to access. Collection will occur during face-to-face 
interviews conducted by Forest Service employees as part of the post 
award process. The Post-award interview will take place once every five 
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 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: March 27, 2015.
Robert Velasco II,
Associate Deputy Chief, Business Operations.
[FR Doc. 2015-07736 Filed 4-3-15; 8:45 am]
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