2017-17966. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 21, 2017.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 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 those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques and other forms of information technology.

Comments regarding this information collection received by September 25, 2017 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503. Commentors are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Forest Service

Title: National Visitor Use Monitoring, and Customer and Use Survey Techniques for Operations, Management, Evaluation and Research.

OMB Control Number: 0596-0110.

Summary of Collection: The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 (16 U.S.C., Sec. 1600-1614) and the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) (Pub. L. 103-62) require a comprehensive assessment of present and anticipated uses, demand for and supply of renewable resources from the nation's public and private forests and rangelands. An important element in the reporting is the number of visits to National Forests and Grasslands, as well as to Wilderness Areas that the agency manages. The Forest Service will use the National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) survey to collect the information.

Need and Use of the Information: The Customer and Use Survey Techniques for Operations, Management, Evaluation and Research (CUSTOMER) study combines several different survey approaches to gather data describing visitors to and users of public recreation lands, including their trip activities, satisfaction levels, evaluations, demographic profiles, trip characteristics, spending, and annual visitation patterns. FS will use face-to-face interviewing for collecting information on-site as well as English and Spanish written survey instruments to be mailed back by respondents. The NVUM results and data are a source of data and information in addressing forest land management planning, national strategic planning, service to minorities, and identification of a forest's recreation niche. Conducting the collection less frequently puts information updates out of cycle with forest planning and other data preparations and reporting activities.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.

Number of Respondents: 45,000.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting; Quarterly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 6,386.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.