E8-29515. Information Collection; Role of Communities in Stewardship Contracting Projects

AGENCY:

Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with revision of a currently approved information collection, Role of Communities in Stewardship Contracting Projects.

DATES:

Comments must be received in writing on or before February 13, 2009 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES:

Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Director, Forest Management Staff, USDA Forest Service, Mail Stop 1103, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250.

Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 202-205-1045 or by e-mail to: [e-mail].

The public may inspect comments received at USDA Forest Service, Forest Management, Yates Federal Building, 3rd floor SW wing, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 202-205-1766 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sharon Nygaard-Scott, Forest Service, Forest Management Staff, 202-205-1766. 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: Role of Communities in Stewardship Contracting Projects.

OMB Number: 0596-0201.

Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2009.

Type of Request: Extension with Revision.

Abstract: Section 323 of Public Law 108-7 (16 U.S.C. 2104 Note) requires the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to report to Congress annually on the role of local communities in the development of agreement or contract plans through stewardship contracting. To meet that requirement, the Forest Service conducts surveys to gather the necessary information for use by both Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The survey provides information regarding the:

(a) Nature of the local community involved in developing agreement or contract plans,

(b) Nature of roles played by the entities involved in developing agreement or contract plans,

(c) Benefits to the community and agency by being involved in planning and development of contract plans, and

(d) Usefulness of stewardship contracting in helping meet the needs of local communities.

The Pinchot Institute for Conservation and its sub-contractors collect information through an annual phone survey. The survey queries Federal employees, employees of for-profit and not-for-profit institutions, employees of State and local agencies, and individual citizens who have been involved in stewardship contracting projects about their role in the development of agreement or contract plans.

The information collected through the survey is analyzed by the Pinchot Institute for Conservation and its sub-contractors and used to help develop the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management report to Congress pursuant to Section 323 of Public Law 108-7.

Without the information from this annual collection of data, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will not be able to provide the required annual report to Congress on the role of communities in development of agreement or contract plans under stewardship contracting.

Estimate of Annual Burden: 0.75 hours.

Type of Respondents: Employees of for-profit and non-profit businesses and institutions, as well as individuals.

Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 350

Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 263 hours

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.

Dated: December 5, 2008.

Charles L. Myers,

Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.