[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 163 (Friday, August 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51675-51676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18317]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Equal Opportunity Compliance Review 
Record

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (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 information collection, Equal Opportunity 
Compliance Review Record.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before October 20, 
2020 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 Civil 
Rights, Mail Stop 1142, USDA, Forest Service, 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].
    Comments submitted in response to this notice may be made available 
to the public through relevant websites and upon request. For this 
reason, please do not include in your comments information of a 
confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or 
proprietary information. If you send an email comment, your email 
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the 
internet. Please note that responses to this public comment request 
containing any routine notice about the confidentiality of the 
communication will be treated as public comments that may be made 
available to the public notwithstanding the inclusion of the routine 
notice.
    The public may inspect the draft supporting statement and/or 
comments received at USDA, Forest Service, Civil Rights, 201 14th St. 
SW, Room 2S, Washington, DC 20024 during normal business hours. 
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 202-205-8534 to facilitate 
entry to the building. The public may request an electronic copy of the 
draft supporting statement and/or

[[Page 51676]]

any comments received be sent via return email. Requests should be 
emailed to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Moore, Civil Rights by 
email at [email protected] or by phone at 703-605-4858. 
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: Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Record.
    OMB Number: OMB-0596-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 11/30/2018.
    Type of Request: New.
    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 program 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, 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 nondiscrimination statues. 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, ongoing monitoring will take place to 
ensure the public is being served without any barriers or 
discrimination.
    Forest Service employees will use form FS-1700-6, Equal Opportunity 
Compliance Review Record, to document demographics (race, ethnicity, 
and gender) and 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 customer services role.
    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 5 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.
    Affected Public: Recipients of Federal financial assistance.
    Estimate of Burden per Response: One.
    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

    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 submission request 
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: August 14, 2020.
Ricky Balolong,
Acting Civil Rights Director.
[FR Doc. 2020-18317 Filed 8-20-20; 8:45 am]
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