[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 16, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 8783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03298]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection: Land Exchanges

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
USDA Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals 
and organizations on the extension without revision of a currently 
approved information collection, Land Exchanges.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before April 18, 2022 
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will 
be considered to the extent practicable.

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: Betty Jewett, National Program Specialist, Lands, 
Forest Service, 201 14th Street SW, Suite 1SE, Mail Stop 1124, 
Washington, DC 20024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Betty Jewett, National Program 
Specialist, Lands, Forest Service, 201 14th Street SW, Suite 1SE, Mail 
Stop 1124, Washington, DC 20024.
     Telephone: 770-540-4800.
     Facsimile: 703-605-5117.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Betty Jewett, National Program 
Specialist, Lands, at 770-540-4800. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern 
Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Land Exchanges.
    OMB Number: 0596-0105.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2022.
    Type of Request: Extension without revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Land exchanges are discretionary, voluntary real estate 
transactions between the Secretary of Agriculture (acting by and 
through the Forest Service) and a non-Federal exchange party (or 
parties). Land exchanges can be initiated by a non-Federal party (or 
parties), an agent of a landowner, a broker, a third party, or a non-
Federal public agency.
    Each land exchange requires preparation of an Agreement to Initiate 
as required by title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 254, 
subpart A--section 254.4--Agreement to Initiate. The Agreement to 
Initiate document specifies the preliminary and non-binding intentions 
of the non-Federal land exchange party and the Forest Service in 
pursuing a land exchange. The Agreement to Initiate can contain such 
information as the description of properties being considered in the 
land exchange, an implementation schedule of action items, 
identification of the party responsible for each action item, as well 
as target dates for completion of each action item.
    As the exchange proposal develops, the Forest Service and the non-
Federal land exchange party may enter into a binding Exchange 
Agreement, pursuant to Title 36 CFR part 254, subpart A, section 
254.14--Exchange Agreement. The Exchange Agreement documents the 
conditions that must be met to complete the exchange. The Exchange 
Agreement can contain information such as identification of parties, 
description of lands and interests to be exchanged, identification of 
all reserved and outstanding interest, and all other terms and 
conditions necessary to complete the exchange.
    The Forest Service collects the information from the non-Federal 
party (or parties) necessary to complete the Agreement to Initiate and 
the Exchange Agreement. The information is collected by Forest Service 
personnel from parties involved in the exchange via telephone, email or 
in person. Data from this information collection is unique to each land 
exchange and is not available from other sources. No standardized forms 
are associated with this information collection.

Estimate of Annual Burden

    Agreement to Initiate: 3 hours.
    Exchange Agreement: 1 hour.
    Type of Respondents: Non-Federal party (or parties) that can 
include landowners, agents of landowners, brokers, a third party or a 
non-Federal public agency.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.826.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 88.
    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.

Chris French,
Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2022-03298 Filed 2-15-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P