[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 91 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26205-26206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10125]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collections: Clauses and Forms for Operating Plans 
and Agreements for Powerline Facility Operation and Maintenance, 
Inspections, and Vegetation Management and Clause for Vegetation 
Management Pilot Program 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 on two new information collections, 
Forms and Clauses for Operating Plans and Agreements for Powerline 
Facility Operation and Maintenance, Inspections, and Vegetation 
Management and Clause for Vegetation Management Pilot Program Projects.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before July 12, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Commenters are encouraged to submit comments by email, if 
possible. You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    Email: [email protected].
    Mail: USDA Forest Service, Attention: Lands, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, Southwest, Mailstop 1124, Washington, DC 20250-1124.
    Facsimile: 703-605-5117.
    All comments, including names and addresses when provided, will be 
placed in the record and will be available for public inspection and 
copying. The public may review the new information collections, and 
comments on the new information collections, on the Forest Service 
forms web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/lands-and-realty-management/forms. Comments will be summarized in the Forest 
Service's request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the 
new information collections and will be addressed in a Federal Register 
notice of the final revisions to the approved information collections.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reggie Woodruff, Energy Program 
Manager, at 202-205-1196 or via email at [email protected]. 
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the hearing-impaired 
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339 24 
hours a day, every day of the year.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Clauses and Forms for Operating Plans and Agreements for 
Powerline Facility Operation and Maintenance, Inspections, and 
Vegetation Management.
    OMB Number: 0596-NEW.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 amended the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) to add section 512, 
which requires the Forest Service to collect information from owners 
and operators of powerline facilities for development of operating 
plans and agreements governing vegetation management, operation and 
maintenance, and inspection of powerline facilities on National Forest 
System (NFS) lands. The collected information will be evaluated by line 
officers and realty specialists at Forest Service field units where 
powerline facilities are located to implement the requirements of 
section 512 of FLPMA regarding operating plans and agreements governing 
vegetation management, operation and maintenance, and inspections of 
powerline facilities.
    Affected Public: Individuals, the private sector (business and 
nonprofit entities and state, local, and tribal governmental entities).
    Estimate of Burden per Response: 240 hours.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,400 hours.
    Title: Clause for Vegetation Management Pilot Program Projects.

    OMB Number: 0596-NEW.
    Type of Request: NEW.
    Abstract: Section 8630 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
(Farm Bill) gives the Forest Service discretion to authorize vegetation 
management pilot program projects under lower liability standards to 
holders of an authorization for a powerline facility or natural gas 
pipeline. These pilot projects may be conducted only on NFS lands that 
are not covered by the special use authorization for the powerline 
facility

[[Page 26206]]

or natural gas pipeline. The pilot projects must be conducted outside 
the linear right-of-way for the associated powerline facility or 
natural gas pipeline; may not extend more than 150 feet from either 
side of the powerline facility or natural gas pipeline; and may not 
have a total width of more than 200 feet including both sides of the 
powerline facility or natural gas pipeline. In addition, the pilot 
projects may not overlap with vegetation management conducted under the 
special use authorization for the powerline facility or natural gas 
pipeline, including removal and pruning of hazard trees outside the 
linear right-of-way for a powerline facility. The liability provisions 
in a special use permit for a pilot project have no effect on the 
liability provisions in the special use authorization for the powerline 
facility or natural gas pipeline, including the liability provisions 
that apply to removal and pruning of hazard trees inside and outside 
the linear right-of-way. Proposed new clause B-39 in Forest Service 
Handbook 2709.11, Chapter 50, section 52.2, would provide for 
authorizing vegetation management pilot projects consistent with 
section 8630 of the Farm Bill and Title V of the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act, section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act, and their 
implementing regulations.
    Affected Public: Individuals, the private sector (business and 
nonprofit entities and state, local, and tribal governmental entities).
    Estimate of Burden per Response: 32 hours.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 64 hours.
    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether these collections of information 
are 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 collections of information 
on respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, 
or other technological collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

Gregory C. Smith,
Director, Lands and Realty Management, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2021-10125 Filed 5-12-21; 8:45 am]
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