[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18398-18399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9335]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Request for Comments; Public Perceptions
of Land Use Change
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service announces its intent to establish a new information
collection. The new collection will help the Forest Service meet the
needs and expectations of the people who live and work along the
Interstate-90 (I-90) corridor, within and in proximity to, the Mt.
Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests. Respondents will
include wildlife, silviculture, timber, land planning, wildland
conservation, business, and development professionals, biologists, and
residents along the I-90 corridor.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 14, 1999.
ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to Linda Kruger, Research
Social Scientist, Seattle Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Forest Service,
USDA, 4043 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, Washington 98105 or email
r6pnw__seattle@fs.fed.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Kruger, Seattle Forestry
Sciences Laboratory, at (206) 553-7817.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests are in
close proximity to the large, rapidly expanding Seattle, Washington,
area. Urban residents and businesses are making more demands on nearby
National Forest lands. Many urban residents in this metropolitan area
are moving to rural communities or forested housing developments in an
attempt to enjoy the natural environment of the Pacific Northwest,
while maintaining access to a vibrant urban center. Multiple interests,
such as recreation, tourism, housing, access to a vibrant urban center.
Multiple interests, such as recreation, tourism, housing, private-
sector businesses, timber, wildlife, and conservation are competing for
use, within and in proximity to, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee
National Forests along the Washington State I-90 corridor. This
competition and increased demand have already resulted in new ski
resorts, recreational facilities, shopping malls, increased resistance
to timber harvesting, and heavier traffic and congestion.
Data from this information collection will be considered when
revising land and resource management plans and will help the Forest
Service meet multiple-use land management needs of the Mt. Baker-
Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forest lands in close proximity to
the Washington State I-90 corridor.
Description of Information Collection
The following describes the new information collection:
Title: Public Perceptions of Land Use Change.
[[Page 18399]]
OMB Number: New.
Expiration Date of Approval: New.
Type of Request: The following describes a new information
collection requirement and has not received approval by the Office of
Management and Budget.
Abstract: The data in this information collection will be used to
identify the range of perceptions, concerns, and attitudes the public
has toward changes in land use along the Washington State I-90 corridor
within and in close proximity to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee
National Forests. The data also will be used to identify the
characteristics about the I-90 corridor that the respondents value
most; to explore the differences in opinion of various groups on how to
use National Forest and adjacent land; and to ascertain the perceptions
that the diverse group of respondents has regarding the Forest
Service's land management practices and policies. Additionally, the
data will be used for amendments and revisions of forest plans, as well
as in assessing proposed National Forest projects and activities.
Respondents include wildlife, silviculture, timber, land planning,
wildland conservation, business and development professionals,
biologists, and residents along the I-90 corridor.
The Forest Service will provide data from this information
collection to other agencies and organizations, such as city and county
planning commissions, the Washington Department of Natural Resources,
and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust (a non-profit Seattle-based
organization working to create a greenbelt along the I-90 corridor from
Seattle to Ellensburg). The results of the study also will be available
to the participants upon request and will be published in community
newspapers and organization newsletters.
The Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, People and
Natural Resources Program has entered into a cooperative agreement with
the University of Washington to facilitate the collection of
information. University of Washington staff, in collaboration with
Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station staff, will write and
administer the survey and analyze the survey results.
Respondents will be selected in such a way as to help ensure
representation from all interested groups.
University of Washington staff, along with Forest Service staff,
will ask respondents to complete a survey assessing their concerns
about changes in how to use National Forest and adjacent land along the
Washington State I-90 corridor, their familiarity with the issues
related to changes in use of these lands, their attitudes toward
changes in the use of these lands, their ethnic and economic
background, their education level, their name, and their address.
Data gathered in this information collection is not available from
other sources.
Estimate of Burden: 30 minutes.
Type of Respondents: Respondents will include wildlife,
silviculture, timber, land planning, wildland conservation, business
and development professionals, biologists, and residents along the I-90
corridor.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1000.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 500 hours.
Comment Is Invited
The agency invites comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions
of the agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of this agency's estimate of the burden of
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity or the information to be collected; and (d) 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.
Use of Comments
All comments received in response to this notice, including name
and address when provided, will be summarized and included in the
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will
also become a matter of public record.
Dated: April 5, 1999.
Robert Lewis, Jr.,
Acting Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 99-9335 Filed 4-13-99; 8:45 am]
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