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 28, 2016 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: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
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: Annual Wildfire Summary Report.
OMB Control Number: 0596-0025.
Summary of Collection: The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101) requires the Forest Service (FS) to collect information about wildfire suppression efforts by State and local fire fighting agencies in order to support specific congressional funding requests for the Forest Service State and Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Program. The program provides supplemental funding for State and local fire fighting agencies. The FS works cooperatively with State and local fire fighting agencies to support their fire suppression efforts. FS will collect information using form FS 3100-8, Annual Wildfire Summary Report.
Need and Use of the Information: FS will collect information using form FS-3100-8 to determine if the Cooperative Fire Program funds, provided to the State and local fire fighting agencies have been used by State and local agencies to improve their fire suppression capabilities. The information collected includes the numbers of fires and acres burned on State and private land by cause, such as lightning, campfires, smoking, debris burning, arson, equipment, railroads, children and miscellaneous activities. Information about the importance of the State and Private Cooperative Fire Program will be shared with the pubic. FS would be unable to assess the effectiveness of the State and Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Program if the information provided on FS-3100-8, were not collected.
Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 56.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 28.
Forest Service
Title: Land Exchanges.
OMB Control Number: 0596-0105.
Summary of Collection: Land exchanges are discretionary, voluntary real estate transactions between the Secretary of Agriculture (acting by and through the Forest Service) and a non-Federal exchange party (or parties). Land exchanges can be initiated by a non-Federal party (or parties), and agent of a landowners, a broker, a third party, or a non-Federal public agency. Each land exchange requires preparation of an Agreement to Initiate, as required by Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 254, subpart C, section 254.4—Agreement to Initiate and Exchange. As the exchange proposal develops, the exchange parties may enter into a binding Exchange Agreement, pursuant to Title 36 CFR part 254, subpart A, section 254.14—Exchange Agreement.
Need and Use of the Information: The Agreement to Initiate document specifies the preliminary and on-biding intentions of the non-Federal land exchange party and the Forest Service in pursuing a land exchange. The Agreement to Initiate contains information such as the description of properties considered for exchange, an implementation schedule of action items, identification of the party responsible for each action item, and target dates for completion of action items.
The Exchange Agreement documents the conditions necessary to complete the exchange. It contains information identifying parties, description of lands and interests to be exchanged, identification of all reserved and outstanding interests, and all other terms and conditions that are necessary to complete the exchange.
Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Individuals or households; State, Local or Tribal Government
Number of Respondents: 19.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 124.
Forest Service
Title: The Role of Local Communities in the Development of Agreement or Contract Plans through Stewardship Contracting.
OMB Control Number: 0596-0201.
Summary of Collection: Section 8205 of Public Law 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014, requires the Forest Service (FS) to report to Congress annually on the role of local communities in the development of agreement or contract plans through stewardship contracting. To meet that requirement FS conducts an annual telephone survey to gather the necessary information for FS to develop its annual report to Congress.
Need and Use of the Information: The survey will collect information on the role of local communities in the development of agreement or contract plans through stewardship contracting. The survey will provide information regarding the nature of the local community involved in developing agreement or contract plans, the nature of roles played by the entities involved in developing agreement or contract plans, the benefits to the community and agency by being involved in planning and development of contract plans, and the usefulness of stewardship contracting in helping meet the needs of local communities. FS posts the report on its Web page for viewing by the public. Congress also makes the agency reports available for use by organizations both inside and outside the government.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 75.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
Total Burden Hours: 56.
Forest Service
Title: Post-Decisional Administrative Review Process.
OMB Control Number: 0596-0231.
Summary of Collection: Under 36 CFR part 214, the Forest Service (FS), at its own discretion, provides a process by which holders, operators, and solicited applicants may appeal certain written decisions issued by a Responsible Official involving a written instrument authorizing the occupancy or use of National Forest System (NFS) lands and resources.
Need and Use of the Information: Information is collected and submitted from individuals who are holders or operators of a valid written authorization to occupy or use NFS lands and resources. The appellant must provide name, mailing address, daytime telephone number, email address, signature, and statements of how appellant is adversely affected by decision being appealed; relevant facts underlying the decision; discussion of issues raised by the decision; attempts to resolve issues under appeal with the Responsible Official and a statement of the relief sought. The information is used to review an agency decision on a written authorization against the issues raised by the appellant and determine whether to affirm or reverse the decision.
Description of Respondents: Individuals or households.
Number of Respondents: 226.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 1,808.
Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-20611 Filed 8-26-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P