[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32860-32861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14685]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection: Generic Clearance To Conduct Survey 
Improvement 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 to Conduct Survey Improvement Projects.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 9, 
2019 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Kenli Kim, National Program Leader 
for Social Science Research, Forest Service, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, 
Mailstop 1114, Washington, DC 20250-1114, or by electronic mail to 
[email protected], with ``PRA comment'' in the subject line. 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, 
201 14th St. SW, Washington, DC 20250 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. 
to 5:00 p.m. on business days. Those wishing to inspect comments should 
contact Kenli Kim to facilitate an appointment and entrance to the 
building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenli Kim, National Program Leader for

[[Page 32861]]

Social Science Research at the Forest Service, [email protected]. 
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 Survey Improvement Projects.
    OMB Number: 0596-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: NEW.
    Type of Request: NEW.
    Abstract: The USDA Forest Service has broad responsibilities for 
caring for the forests and grasslands of the nation. In order to 
fulfill this mission, the Agency needs an accurate understanding of the 
range of views and preferences held by stakeholders regarding the 
management and conservation of forests and other natural resources. We 
do so through various information collections of social and economic 
data. The Forest Service requests approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for this generic clearance to allow the 
Forest Service to rigorously develop, test, and evaluate its survey 
instruments and other data collection instruments.
    The Forest Service has instituted state-of-the art techniques to 
improve the quality and timeliness of surveys and related data 
collection and analyses, while simultaneously reducing respondents' 
workload and burden. The purpose of this generic clearance is to allow 
the Forest Service to evaluate, adopt, and use these state-of-the-art 
techniques to improve its current data collections on forest and 
natural land management. This clearance will also be used to aid in the 
development of new surveys and data collection methods. Additionally, 
the Forest Service anticipates the benefit of increased response rates 
through improved survey design, a goal tied directly to improving 
response rates and reducing non-response bias.
    Estimate of Annual Burden on Respondents: 900 hours per year (2,700 
hours for the 3 year period).
    Type of Respondents: Individuals and households, state & local 
government representatives, tribal representatives, private sector 
businesses, and non-profit organizations.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2,500 per year.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1 response/
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 information 
collection request as appropriate. The final information collection 
request 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: June 17, 2019.
Alexander L. Friend,
Deputy Chief, Research & Development.
[FR Doc. 2019-14685 Filed 7-9-19; 8:45 am]
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