[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]
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