[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 197 (Friday, October 9, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64110-64111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22396]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection: Assessing Technology Transfer Activities 
of the National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, & Genetics 
Resources

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to conduct assessment of technology transfer 
activities by the National Center for Reforestation, Nursery, and 
Genetic Resources.

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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, Assessing Technology 
Transfer Activities of the National Center for Reforestation, 
Nurseries, & Genetics Resources. The United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), United States Forest Service (Forest Service), 
National Center for Reforestation, Nursery, and Genetic Resources 
(RNGR) supports the production of native plant materials for 
reforestation and restoration activities throughout the Nation and its 
insular areas. RNGR transfers important, science-based information to 
the managers of Federal, State, Tribal, other government entities, and 
private nurseries and farms.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before December 8, 
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 
Kasten Dumroese, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 
1221 South Main Street, Moscow, ID 83843.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 208-883-2318 or by 
email to: [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at 1221 South Main Street, 
Moscow, ID 83843 during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged 
to call ahead to 208-882-3557 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kasten Dumroese, USDA Forest Service, 
Rocky Mountain Research Station, [email protected] or 208-883-2324. 
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: Assessing Technology Transfer Activities of the National 
Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, & Genetics Resources.
    OMB Number: 0596-NEW.
    Type of Request: NEW.
    Abstract:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC) at 
Washington State University will collaborate with RNGR to assess the 
current and future needs for information technology and services via a 
survey of nurseries and farms that produce native plant materials for 
reforestation and restoration throughout the U.S. This assessment will 
help RNGR better understand how these managers are using RNGR's current 
products and if information can be shared more effectively and 
efficiently through new tools and techniques.
    The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 
National Center for Reforestation, Nursery, and Genetic Resources 
(RNGR) supports the production of native plant materials for 
reforestation and restoration activities throughout the Nation and its 
insular areas. RNGR transfers important, science-based information 
through on-site visits, regional meetings, webinars, website, books, 
and newsletters to the managers of Federal, State, Tribal, other 
government entities, and private nurseries and farms that produce 
native plant materials for reforestation and restoration.
    Because of the rapid changes in technology and the ways 
communication now occurs, RNGR seeks to better understand how these 
managers are using RNGR's current products and if information can be 
shared more effectively and efficiently through new tools and 
techniques. In addition, RNGR desires to focus technology transfer on 
issues pertinent to the managers' emerging needs.
    The Washington State University, Social and Economic Sciences 
Research Center will design a survey and collect information through a 
mail and web survey of the approximately 1,200 managers of Federal, 
State, Tribal, other government entities, and private nurseries and 
farms that produce native plant materials for reforestation and

[[Page 64111]]

restoration. Information collected will include the name and address of 
the nursery, whether it is primarily for reforestation or restoration, 
what current RNGR products and tools the managers use and how effective 
are those products and tools, and what new technologies and approaches 
to transferring information might better serve managers. The Social and 
Economic Sciences Research Center will ensure survey validity and 
analyze and synthesize the information so that RNGR can implement the 
findings.
    If the survey is not completed, RNGR may continue to use less 
effective and efficient methods to share science-based information with 
the managers Federal, State, Tribal, other government entities, and 
private nurseries and farms that produce native plant materials for 
reforestation and restoration. The goal of this survey is to implement 
more cost-effective methods of technology transfer delivered to 
managers in the best format for them.

Proposed Action

    The assessment will utilize survey methods. Survey data will be 
collected using two modes: (1) electronic (via web) and (2) mail 
delivered paper questionnaire. All 1,200 users of RNGR resources will 
be contacted with the following protocols:
     The first mailing will be mailed using first class postage 
and will include a letter of invitation to complete the survey online 
with URL, access code;
     Email reminders to participants (those with email 
addresses) will be sent approximately one week after the invitation 
letter. Multiple email reminders may be sent (3 days in between email 
waves). Email messages will be sent to one respondent at a time to 
minimize spam filter effect. Email messages will come from [email protected] 
email address, which will be ``white listed;''
     The questionnaire is approximately 8 pages, printed on 2 
sheets of 11x17 paper folded in half. A unique ID (access code) will be 
printed on the questionnaire for tracking purpose. There will be 2 
separate questionnaires for the (1) user and (2) non-user groups;
     Questionnaires will be mailed in 6x9 envelopes with first 
class postage and will include a personalized letter (containing a URL 
and access code for online option) and a business reply return envelope 
and personalized letter;
     Reminder/thank you post cards or letters will be mailed 7 
to 10 days after the questionnaire mailing; and
     In addition, we will also attempt to contact organizations 
in the lists via telephone to identify the appropriate individuals to 
contact with regards to the survey. The phone attempts will be 
conducted after mailing of the paper questionnaire and will reach out 
to the remaining non-respondents. These phone attempts will serve as an 
additional reminder to complete the survey.

Follow-Up Semi-Structured Interview

    For those who did not respond to the survey, especially those in 
the non-user group, we will conduct a follow up semi-structured 
interview via phone with audio recording. The interview will serve two 
main purposes (1) to determine the reason for not responding to the 
survey, and (2) to gather more in-depth information about unmet needs 
or reasons for not using RNGR support services that may or may not be 
addressed in the quantitative survey.
    For those who responded to the survey, some of the responses may 
warrant further investigation, such as new ideas or issues that were 
not included in the survey questions. Each interview will take 
approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete and will be conducted after 
the survey data collection period is concluded. Data collected via the 
above methods will be summarized and analyzed in a technical report. 
The information will be used to refine the strategic plan for RNGR.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official will be Kasten Dumroese, USDA Forest 
Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 1221 South Main Street, 
Moscow, ID 83843.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Given the purpose and need, the responsible official will determine 
whether the proposed actions comply with all applicable laws governing 
Forest Service actions and whether the proposed action meets the 
purpose and need for action. With this information, the responsible 
official must decide whether to select the proposed action or one of 
any other potential alternatives that may be developed, and what, if 
any, additional actions should be required.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the assessment questionnaire and survey protocols. 
Public comments regarding this proposal are requested in order to 
assist in identifying issues and opportunities associated with the 
information collection protocols.
    Comments are 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.
    Affected Public: Managers of Federal, State, Tribal, other 
government entities, and private nurseries and farms that produce 
native plant materials for reforestation and restoration.
    Estimate of Burden per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,200.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 400 hours.
    Comment is Invited: 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.

Steven W. Koehn,
Director, Cooperative Forestry, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2020-22396 Filed 10-8-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P