[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5981-5982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02144]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection: Forest Service Law Enforcement & 
Investigations Ride-Along Program

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 extension of the information collection, Forest 
Service Law Enforcement & Investigations Ride-Along Program.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before April 4, 2016 
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 the 
Director of Law Enforcement and Investigations, USDA Forest Service, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mail stop 1140, Washington, DC 20250-
1140.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 703-605-4690, or by 
email to Ken Pearson at [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at USDA Forest Service 
Washington Office, Yates Building, 201 14th Street SW., Washington, DC; 
during normal business hours. Visitors must call ahead to 703-605-4690 
to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Pearson, Assistant Director for 
Law Enforcement & Liaison, 703-605-4690.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Forest Service Law Enforcement & Investigations Ride-Along 
Program.
    OMB Number: 0596-0170.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2016.
    Type of Request: Extension.
    Abstract: This information collection is necessary for Forest 
Service Law Enforcement and Investigations (LEI) personnel to authorize 
a rider who applies to participate in the Ride-Along Program. The 
information collection also provides additional protection for LEI 
personnel who allow authorized riders to accompany them in boats, cars, 
trucks, or other vehicles. The purpose of this program is for citizens 
to learn about and observe Forest Service LEI tasks and activities. The 
program is intended to enhance Forest Service law enforcement community 
relationships,

[[Page 5982]]

improve the quality of Forest Service customer service, and provide LEI 
personnel a recruitment tool. A rider shall complete two forms in order 
to participate.
    Form FS-5300-33 asks for the participant's name, address, social 
security number, driver's license number, work address, location of the 
Ride-Along, and the reason for the Ride-Along. Law enforcement officers 
use form FS-5300-33 to conduct a minimum background check before 
authorizing a person to ride along.
    Form FS-5300-34 is signed by riders to exempt law enforcement 
officers and the Forest Service from damage, loss, or injury liability 
incurred during the rider's participation in the program. If the 
information is not collected, riders will be denied permission to ride 
along with Forest Service law enforcement personnel.

Estimate of Annual Burden

FS-5300-33: 4 minutes.
FS-5300-34: 4 minutes.
Total: 8 minutes.
Type of Respondents: Citizens who want to learn about and observe 
Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigation (LEI) tasks and 
activities.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 130.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 17 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 information collection 
submission for Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: January 15, 2016.
Mary Wagner,
Associate Chief, Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-02144 Filed 2-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P