[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 29 (Friday, February 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 7995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02926]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

February 7, 2022.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding: Whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques 
and other forms of information technology.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by March 
14, 2022 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for 
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days 
of the publication of this notice on the following website 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Forest Service

    Title: 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.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: 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.
    Need and Use of the Information: 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 Start Printed 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.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals, private sector, business 
and nonprofit entities and state, local, and tribal governmental.
    Number of Respondents: 54.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,400.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-02926 Filed 2-10-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P