2015-23406. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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 regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) 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 October 19, 2015 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: Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Reporting Tool.

OMB Control Number: 0596-0215.

Summary of Collection: All Federal agencies and the entities receiving Federal financial assistance are prohibited from discriminating in the delivery of programs and services. Agencies must comply with equal opportunity laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Executive orders prohibiting discrimination in the delivery of all programs and services to the public. The Federal government is required to conduct periodic program compliance reviews of recipients of Federal financial assistance to ensure they are adhering to the nondiscrimination statutes. Forest Service personnel integral to the pre-award and post-award process will collect this information during face-to-face meetings or telephone interviews.

Need and Use of the Information: Forest Service will use form series FS-1700-6, “Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Record” to collect the information and document assisted program compliance. Data collected includes information on actions taken by recipients to ensure the public receives service without discrimination or barriers to access and the recipients' employees understand their customer service responsibilities. The information collected is for internal use only and is utilized to establish and monitor civil rights compliance.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit Institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 11,800.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 11,904.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.