[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 60176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27287]



[[Page 60176]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Generic Clearance for Citizen Science 
Projects

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 generic information collection request, Generic 
Clearance for Citizen Science Projects.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before February 20, 
2018 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Michelle Tamez, USDA--Forest 
Service, Ecosystem Management Coordination, 201 14th St. SW, 
Washington, DC 20250 or by electronic mail to [email protected]. If 
comments are sent by electronic mail, the public is requested not to 
send duplicate written comments via regular mail. Please confine 
written comments to issues pertinent to the information collection 
request; explain the reasons for any recommended changes; and, where 
possible, reference the specific section or paragraph being addressed.
    All timely and properly submitted comments, including names and 
addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for 
public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received 
on this information collection at the USDA--Forest Service 
headquarters, Ecosystem Management Coordination, 201 14th St. SW, 
Washington, DC 20250 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on 
business days. Those wishing to inspect comments should call ahead 
(202) 205-1194 to facilitate an appointment and entrance to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Agency Coordinator for Crowdsourcing 
and Citizen Science, Michelle Tamez at (202) 205-1194. 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: Generic Clearance for Citizen Science Projects.
    OMB Number: 0596--NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: NEW.
    Type of Request: NEW.
    Abstract: Citizen science brings together two important Forest 
Service values--using sound science to guide our management and 
decision making, and connecting our work to the public that we serve. 
In order to ensure a timely and consistent process for Paperwork 
Reduction Act compliance, the Forest Service is proposing to develop a 
Generic Information Collection Request to be utilized for citizen 
science projects that support that Ageny's mission.
    Citizen science can support the Forest Service's mission by 
allowing the Agency to collect qualitative and quantitative data that 
can help inform scientific research; ecological, social and biological 
assessments and monitoring efforts; validate environmental models or 
tools; and enhance the quantity and quality of data collected across 
the country's diverse communities and ecosystems. Citizen science also 
creates an avenue to incorporate local knowledge and needs, and can 
contribute to increased data sharing, open data, and government 
transparency. The Forest Service may sponsor the collection of this 
type of information in connection with citizen science projects. When 
applicable, all such collections will accord with Agency policies and 
regulations related to human subjects and research. If a new collection 
is not within the parameters of this generic Information Collection 
Request (ICR), the Agency will submit a separate information collection 
request to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval.
    Collections under this generic ICR will be from volunteers who 
participate on their own initiative through an open and transparent 
process; the collections will be low-burden for participants; 
collections will be low-cost for both the participants and the Federal 
Government; and data will be available to support the scientific 
endeavors of the Agency, states, tribal or local entities where data 
collection occurs.
    Estimate of Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,533,333 hours/year.
    Type of Respondents: Participants/respondents will be individuals, 
not specific entities.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 160,000/year.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 9 responses/
respondent.
    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. The Forest Service will consider the comments received and 
amend the ICR as appropriate. The final ICR package will then be 
submitted to OMB for review and approval.
    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 for 
final Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: November 28, 2017.
Chris French,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-27287 Filed 12-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P