[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 5, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60366-60367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-21570]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Disposal of Mineral Materials

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service is 
seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on 
the revision of a currently approved information collection Disposal of 
Mineral Materials.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before December 5, 
2022 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice and public inspection of the 
comments should be addressed to the person under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 
303-275-5122 or phone: 720-618-9961.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this information collection, 
with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by contacting 
Bruce Schumacher, Paleontology Program Coordinator, USDA, Forest 
Service, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Building 17, Lakewood, CO 80401 or phone: 
720-618-9961 or email: [email protected].
    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 of Collection: Disposal of Minerals Materials.
    OMB Control Number: 0956-0081.
    Type of Review: Revisions of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2024.
    Abstract: The Secretary of Agriculture has the statutory authority 
per 16 U.S.C. 470aaa-3 (section 6304), and as detailed in 36 CFR 291, 
to allow permitted research and collection of paleontological 
resources. This authority stipulates the Secretary may issue a permit 
pursuant to an application, which requires that (1) the applicant is 
qualified to carry out the permitted activity; (2) the permitted 
activity is undertaken for the purpose of furthering paleontological 
knowledge or for public education; (3) the permitted activity is 
consistent with any management plan applicable to the Federal land 
concerned; and (4) the proposed methods of collecting will not threaten 
significant natural resources. Permit applications also require terms 
and conditions as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the 
purposes of the subtitle, including requirements that (1) the 
paleontological resource that is collected from Federal land under the 
permit will remain the property of the United States; (2) the 
paleontological resource and copies of associated records will be 
preserved for the public in an approved repository, to be made 
available for scientific research and public education; and (3) 
specific locality data will not be released by the permittee or 
repository without the written permission of the Secretary.
    Specific Forest Service regulations detailing permitting and the 
need for information collection are at 36 CFR 291.13-291.23.
    This information is used to ensure permit applicants are (1) 
qualified to undertake the proposed research and collection activities, 
(2) to ensure that an approved non-federal repository is willing 
(signed agreement) to accept all paleontological resources (federal 
property) collected under the proposed activity, and (3) to allow 
Forest Service staff to undertake environmental review of the proposed 
activity.
    Permit reporting information is used to contribute toward the 
Forest Service national database documenting paleontological localities 
on National Forest System lands, and to provide accountability for 
federal property held in trust by non-federal partner repositories.
    Information collected includes details of the proposed research 
collection activity including contact information for the permit 
applicant, and a signed repository agreement arranged by the permit 
applicant with a non-federal approved repository to accept Federal 
property in perpetuity at no cost to government. Following completion 
of permitted activities, permit holders are required to submit a final 
report to the Forest Service as detailed in 36 CFR 291.17, and in 
accordance with standard scientific best management practice. The 
process requires no financial information.
    This information collection does not impact small businesses or 
other small entities. There is no fee associated with review of FS-
2800-22A applications, nor issuance of FS-2800-22B permits.
    If the information was not collected, the Forest Service would not 
be able to authorize research and collection of paleontological 
resources, and therefore would not be in compliance with U.S.C. 470aaa-
1 (Sec. 6302. Management.) which states that ``The Secretary shall 
manage and protect paleontological resources on Federal land using 
scientific principles and expertise''.

    Title of Collection: FS-2800-22A application.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 165 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 30.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5.5 hours.

    Title of Collection: FS-2800-22B oversite and report review.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 6.25 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Permit Holders.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 0.25 hours.

    Title of Collection: FS-2800-22C locality form review and database 
entry.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 162.5 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Permit Holders, Repositories.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6.5 hours.

    Title of Collection: Burden Hours for FS-2800-22D specimen.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 162.5 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Permit Holders, Repositories.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6.5 hours.
    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

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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.

    Dated: September 29, 2022.
Deborah Hollen,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2022-21570 Filed 10-4-22; 8:45 am]
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