[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21084-21085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07701]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Reinstatement

    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 May 11, 
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: Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Reporting Tool.
    OMB Control Number: 0596-0215.
    Summary of Collection: All Federal agencies and the entities 
receiving Federal financial assistance are prohibited from 
discriminating in the delivery of programs and services. Agencies must 
comply with equal opportunity laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 
1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; The 
Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; Section 504 of the

[[Page 21085]]

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Executive orders 
prohibiting discrimination in the delivery of all programs and services 
to the public. Federal agencies and entities receiving Federal 
Financial Assistance are prohibited from discriminating. Federal 
Financial Assistance is defined as, ``Federal monies given by grants, 
cooperative agreements, commercial special use permits, training, loan/
temporary assignment of Federal personnel, loan/use of Federal property 
at below market value.''
    The equal opportunity laws require agencies to conduct compliance 
reviews to ensure that entities receiving Federal Financial Assistance 
from the government are adhering to the nondiscrimination statues. The 
statutes require that prior to awarding support or issuing permits, the 
Federal government shall conduct pre-award reviews to ensure that 
potential recipients understand their responsibilities to provide 
services equitable pursuant to the law. Thereafter, during the 
partnership with the agency, ongoing monitoring will take place to 
ensure the public is being served without any barriers or 
discrimination.
    Need and Use of the Information: Forest Service employees will use 
form FS-1700-6, Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Record, to document 
demographics (race, ethnicity, and gender) and collect information 
regarding actions taken by recipients of Federal financial assistance 
to ensure the public receives services without discrimination or 
barriers to access, and that recipients' employees understand their 
customer services role.
    Collection will occur during face-to-face meetings or telephone 
interviews conducted by Forest Service employees as part of the pre-
award and post award process. The pre-award interview will take place 
prior to the award of a grant, signing of a cooperative agreement, 
letting of commercial special use permit, or similar activity. The post 
award interview will take place once every 5 years, or upon report/
discovery of discrimination.
    The information collected will only be shared with other Federal 
agencies who share in the financial assistance activities with the 
Forest Service. Monitoring reviews have been a responsibility of the 
Federal government since 1964. Without the ability to monitor 
recipients of Federal financial assistance, the Forest Service would 
not be able to ensure compliance with laws and statutes. The Agency 
would not be aware of potential violations, thereby resulting in 
potential discriminatory practices.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit Institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 9,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 18,756.

    Dated: April 6, 2022.
Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-07701 Filed 4-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P