2022-03298. 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: [e-mail] .

• 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: [phone].

• 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.