Information Collection; Forest Industries and Logging Operations Data Collection Systems

AGENCY:

Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the renewal of a currently approved information collection, Forest Industries and Residential Fuelwood and Post Data Collection Systems with a revision adding a Logging Operations Data Collection System.

DATES:

Comments must be received in writing on or before September 27, 2016 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: USDA, Forest Service, Attn: Consuelo Brandeis, Southern Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis, 4700 Old Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.

Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 865-862-0262 or by email to: cbrandeis@fs.fed.us.

The public may inspect comments received at the Southern Research Station, 4700 Old Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 865-862-2000 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Consuelo Brandeis, Southern Research Station, at 865-862-2028. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Forest Industries and Logging Operations Data Collection Systems.

OMB Number: 0596-0010.

Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2016.

Type of Request: Extension with Revision.

Abstract: The Forest and Range Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 require the Forest Service to evaluate trends in the use of logs and wood chips, to forecast anticipated levels of logs and wood chips, and to analyze changes in the harvest of these resources from the Nation's forest resource. To collect this information, Forest Service or State natural resource agency personnel use three questionnaires, two of which are collected by personal mill visits or phone calls, or which respondents return in self-addressed, postage pre-paid envelopes, or by email. The logging operations questionnaire will be delivered in person by field personnel collecting tree utilization data at sampled logging sites.

Pulpwood Received Questionnaire: Forest Service personnel use this questionnaire to collect and evaluate information from pulp and composite panel mills in order to monitor the volume, types, species, sources, and prices of timber products harvested throughout the Nation. The data collected will be used to provide essential information about the current use of the Nation's timber resources for pulpwood industrial products and is not available from other sources.

Logs and Other Roundwood Received Questionnaire: This questionnaire is used by Forest Service or State natural resource agency personnel to collect and evaluate information from the other, non-pulp or composite panel, primary wood-using mills, including small, part-time mills, as well as large corporate entities. Primary wood-using mills are facilities that use harvested wood in log or chip form, such as sawlogs, veneer logs, posts, and poles, to manufacture a secondary product, such as lumber or veneer. Forest Service personnel evaluate the information collected and use it to monitor the volume types, species, sources, and prices of timber products harvested throughout the Nation.

Logging Operations Questionnaire: This questionnaire is used by Forest Service or State natural resource agency personnel to collect and evaluate information from logging operations, to help characterize the logging industry and its response to outside influences. The information will be used to measure the health of the logging industry as well as to provide background information for decision-making.

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.