[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54701-54702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23827]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / 
Notices  

[[Page 54701]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; Whole Enchilada 
Trail: Conditions, User Experience & Comment Survey 2019

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; Whole Enchilada Trail: 
Conditions, User Experience & Comment Survey 2019.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before December 31, 
2018 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 
Zachary Lowe, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 386, Moab, Utah 84532. 
Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 435-636-7737 or by 
email to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at Moab Ranger District, 
62 E 100 North, Moab, Utah 84532 during normal business hours. Visitors 
are encouraged to call ahead to 435-259-7155 to facilitate an 
appointment and entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zachary Lowe: Natural Resource 
Specialist--Recreation. Moab Ranger District, 62 E 100 North, Moab, 
Utah 435-636-3335. Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, 
including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: The Whole Enchilada Trail: Conditions, User Experience & 
Comment Survey 2019.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: N/A.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: The Moab Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National 
Forest, in southeastern Utah (Region 4) is looking to amend a 2013 
Needs Assessment for Recreation Special Uses. In order to increase 
commercial use on the Whole Enchilada trail, the 2013 Needs Assessment 
requires the Moab Ranger District to conduct a recreational carrying 
capacity study, of which the Whole Enchilada: Conditions, User 
Experience & Comment Survey 2019, is an integral part of that study. 
Furthermore, the requested information collection will provide baseline 
data of use and public perception that will help with future management 
on this increasingly popular trail. The Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
Resources Planning Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-278 Sec. 3), et al., 
authorizes the collection.
    The Whole Enchilada is a multi-trail system that spans over 30 
miles, descends more than 7000' in elevation, and traverses diverse 
ecosystems which are managed by two separate, yet cooperating 
governmental agencies--U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 
and the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 
The popularity and subsequent use of this trail has dramatically 
increased on all sections of the trail. Thus, natural resource 
protection and maintaining positive user experiences needs to be, not 
only assessed, but become a priority management objective, especially 
for the Moab Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
    The data will be collected via traditional paper survey to be 
conducted at certain trail heads and exit points along the Whole 
Enchilada trail system. The survey is designed to be completed on site. 
However, there will be a mail-in option available for those willing but 
unable to complete the survey on site. The survey consists of 5 pages 
with 20 questions. There will be tables and chairs set up at trailheads 
and exits to aid in survey completion. The surveys will be administered 
by the survey author, Zachary Lowe, by other USFS employees, and 
volunteers. The survey is scheduled to take place during the peak 
season of use on the trail system which is mid-September to mid-October 
of 2019. This survey is intended for use only in 2019 and not for 
subsequent years nor on any other trails on National Forest System 
(NFS) or BLM lands.
    The survey seeks public input, specifically trial users, about the 
Whole Enchilada trail on NFS lands. The 20 questions have several 
formats such as multiple choice, binary (yes/no), open-ended, and 
likert scales (i.e.,1-5 satisfaction scale). The survey is intended for 
any user of the group willing to take the survey. The targeted user 
groups include: Individuals, commercially-guided individuals, special 
use permittees (i.e., outfitters and guides, shuttle companies), non-
governmental entities (i.e., trail work organizations, user-group 
organizations, and/or environmental groups), and other non-Forest 
Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) affiliated individuals or 
groups (i.e., other stakeholders and partners).
    The survey asks for user type (hiker, biker, et al.), user 
experience levels (beginner, intermediate, et al.), user age and user 
sex. Access information--specific trailhead, mode of transport to trail 
heads, access road conditions, quantity of access--is also asked. 
Survey takers are asked to describe conditions of Forest Service trails 
and facilities as well as describe their experience and satisfaction on 
the Whole Enchilada. These questions ask users to rate the 
acceptability of the trail, facilities, overall use and management of 
trails, other user groups, user encounters and/or conflicts, 
perceptions of crowding. Several questions ask about acceptance of 
potential Forest Service actions to protect resources and provide the 
best user experience such as additional fees, increased Forest Service 
presence/patrols, increased trail work, restricted commercial use, 
increased commercial use, limitations on user type, and other use 
related issues.
    The data and information will be complied and analyzed by the 
author of the survey. All collected data will be run through different 
statistical analyses by the author and volunteer statisticians to 
acquire useful and beneficial information about the trail. This data 
will be used in and presented as part of a recreational carrying 
capacity study for the Whole Enchilada trail system. The survey will 
help gauge the public's perception of conditions of trails, facilities, 
usage and Forest Service

[[Page 54702]]

managerial actions. The data collected from the public, in concert with 
the carrying capacity study, will help determine future management 
objectives and actions related to the Whole Enchilada trail system.
    If the survey were not to occur, vital stakeholder information 
would be absent from the recreation carrying capacity study and would 
be incomplete for all intents and purposes. Without the survey, the 
subsequent carrying capacity study would be incomplete and lacking 
baseline data including public perceptions about use and conditions. 
The aforementioned 2013 Needs Assessment that requires the Manti-La Sal 
National Forest to conduct a carrying capacity study, and by proxy, a 
public survey, would be unmet and the Forest Service could not 
potentially increase commercial use on the Whole Enchilada trail 
system. This trail has seen increased use and popularity in the last 
decade and current management standards may be inadequate for natural 
resource protection and public demand/access to this trail system.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: Each survey will take anywhere from 15-
20 minutes to complete fully.
    Type of Respondents: Public individuals: Trail users (hikers, 
bikers, etc.), outfitter and guides (commercially using the trail), and 
local business owners (whom use the trail).
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,000 Maximum for one year 
in 2019.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20,000 minutes.
    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: October 18, 2018.
Gregory C. Smith,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2018-23827 Filed 10-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P