2015-07996. Information Collection; Community Forest and Open Space Program

AGENCY:

Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service (FS) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with no revision of a currently approved information collection; Community Forest and Open Space Program.

The Agency is in the process of a proposed rule revision that will include a new information collection request; when the revised rule is final, the Agency will merge the new information collection with this information collection.

DATES:

Comments must be received in writing on or before June 15, 2015 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 Maya Solomon, USDA Forest Service, Cooperative Forestry Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 1123, Washington, DC 20250. Comments may also be submitted electronically via email to [e-mail]. If comments are sent electronically, do not duplicate via regular mail.

The public may inspect comments received at the USDA Forest Service, Yates Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to facilitate entry into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Maya Solomon, Forest Legacy Program Specialist, by phone at 202-206-1376. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Community Forest and Open Space Program.

OMB Number: 0596-0189.

Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2015.

Type of Request: Extension with no change.

Abstract: The purpose of Community Forest Program is to achieve community benefits through grants to local governments, Tribal Governments, and qualified nonprofit organizations to establish community forests by acquiring and protecting private forestlands. This proposed rule includes information requirements necessary to implement Community Forest Program and comply with grants regulations and OMB Circulars. The information requirements will be used to help the Forest Service in the following areas: (1) To determine that the applicant is eligible to receive funds under the program, (2) to determine if the proposal meets the qualifications in the law and regulations, (3) to evaluate and rank the proposals based on a standard, consistent information; and (4) to determine if the projects costs are allowable and sufficient cost share is provided.

Local governmental entities, Tribal Governments, and qualified nonprofit organizations are the only entities eligible for the program, and therefore are the only organizations from which information will be collected.

The information collection currently required for a request for proposals and grant application is approved and has been assigned the OMB Control No. 0596-0227.

Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 150.

Estimated Burden per Response: 22.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.

Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 150.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,778 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 request for Office of Management and Budget approval.

Dated: April 1, 2015.

Victoria C. Christiansen,

Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.