Notices. Notice

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BILLING CODE 3410-10-M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Information Collection; Request for Comment; Public Attitudes, Beliefs, and Values About National Forest System Land Management AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the new information collection—Public Attitudes, Beliefs, and Values About National Forest System Land Management.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 22, 2006 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: Dr. Daniel W. McCollum, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2150-A Centre Ave., Suite 350, Fort Collins, CO 80526. Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to

(970)295-5959 or by e-mail to: *dmccollum@fs.fed.us.* The public may inspect comments received at Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2150-A Centre Ave., Suite 350, Fort Collins, CO 80526, Room 347 during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to

(970)295-5951 to facilitate entry to the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Daniel W. McCollum, Rocky Mountain Research Station,

(970)295-5962. Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Relay Service

(FRS)at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Public Attitudes, Beliefs, and Values About National Forest System Land Management. *OMB Number:* 0596-New. *Type of Request:* New. *Abstract:* Surveys have been developed for the purpose of providing natural forest land managers and planners with scientifically credible information from a broad and diverse representation of the public, as well as from specific stakeholder groups. The intent of this collection is to obtain information on public attitudes, beliefs, and values that people have for public land and public land use, how those values are affected by public land management, and acceptable tradeoffs in developing alternative management plans. This information is critical to planning and implementing public policy related to national forests in the Southwestern Region. Legal authority for information collection in support of the forest plan revision process in the Southwestern Region comes from several sources: The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Forest Management Act of 1976, and the 2005 NFMA Planning Rule. While social science and economic analyses are not explicitly mentioned in very many places, their use and relevance is implied in many places in natural resource management related legislation. Social science and economics can provide information about public values, preferences, and expectations that needs to be incorporated into the planning and decision making process. Further, social science and economics can provide qualitative and quantitative metrics with which management alternatives and agency performance can be evaluated. Data collected with these survey instruments will provide a baseline from which to monitor national forest use and management as affected by changes in social and economic conditions. In addition, a comparison between response rates to mail-based and web-based surveys will be studied. *Estimate of Annual Burden:* Mail or web-based survey—30 minutes (20,000 respondents); telephone survey of non-respondents to mail and web-based survey—8 minutes (200 respondents). *Type of Respondents:* General public in two different geographical areas. A region-wide survey (Regional Survey) will be administered to the general public within the administrative boundaries of the Forest Service, Region 3 (New Mexico, Arizona, and a few counties in Texas and Oklahoma). The second survey (Test Survey) will be administered to the general public in areas specifically adjacent to four national forests (two in New Mexico, two in Arizona). *Estimated Annual Number of Respondents:* 20,200. *Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent:* 1. *Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:* 10,027 burden hours annually. *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: July 17, 2006. Frederick Norbury, Associate Deputy Chief, NFS. [FR Doc. E6-11677 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Information Collection; Request for Comment; Visitor Permit and Visitor Registration Card AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of information collection 0596-0019 (Visitor Permit and Visitor Registration Card). This information will help the Forest Service ensure that visitors' use of National Forest System lands is in the public interest and compatible with the mission of the agency. DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 22, 2006 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 Wilderness Program Manager; Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Staff, Mail Stop 1125, Forest Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20090-1125. Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to

(202)205-1145 or by e-mail to *sboutcher@fs.fed.us.* The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the Director, Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Staff, 201 14th Street, SW., Washington, DC during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to

(202)205-0818 to facilitate entry to the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Boutcher, Wilderness Information Manager, Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Staff at

(802)951-6771 x1210 or *sboutcher@fs.fed.us.* Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf

(TDD)may call the Federal Relay Service

(FRS)at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Title:* Visitor Permit and Visitor Registration Card. *OMB Number:* 0596-0019. *Expiration Date of Approval:* December 31, 2006. *Type of Request:* Extension of a currently approved collection. *Abstract:* The Organic Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 473), the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131), Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271) and Executive Order 11644 (Use of Off-Road Vehicles in the Public Lands), require the Forest Service manage the forests to benefit both land and people. The information collected from the Visitor's Permit Form (FS-2300-30) and Visitor Registration Card Form (FS-2300-32) will help the Forest Service ensure that visitors' use of National Forest System lands is in the public interest and is compatible with the mission of the agency. Information will be collected from National Forest System land visitors, who will be asked to describe their intended use of the land and their estimated duration of use. *The Visitor's Permit Form (FS-2300-30)* is required for visitors to enter many special management areas on National Forest System Lands, including Wilderness Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, restricted off-road vehicle areas, and campgrounds where use is controlled through reservation and permit systems. The permit is only used where public use levels must be managed and monitored to prevent resource damage, to preserve the quality of the experience, or to maintain public safety. The personal contact generated by issuance of the permit results in improved visitor education and information about proper camping techniques, fire prevention, safety, and sanitation. The information collected from the Visitor's Permit Form may also be used to respond to indicators or standards in a Forest Plan or Wilderness Management Plan. The Visitor's Permit Form captures the visitor's name and address, area to be visited, dates of visit, length of stay, method of travel, number of people, and number of pack and saddle stock (that is, the number of animals either carrying people or their gear) in the group. The Visitor's Permit is usually issued by Forest Service employees at an office location. Visitors may obtain the permit in person or call ahead and provide the required information over the phone. The information collection does not involve the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques. *The Visitor Registration Card Form (FS-2300-32)* is a voluntary registration card, which provides Forest Service managers with an inexpensive means of gathering visitor use information required by management plans, without imposing mandatory visitor permit regulations. Moreover, the information collected can be used to respond to indicators or standards in a Forest Plan or Wilderness Management Plan without requiring a mandatory permit system to gather and record the data. Use of the Visitor Registration Card Form is one of the most efficient means of collecting data from visitors. It allows the Forest Service to collect data in remote locations, where it is not feasible to have permanent staffing. The Visitor Registration Card Form (FS-2300-32) is normally made available at un-staffed entry locations such as trailheads, and is completed by the visitor without Forest Service assistance. The Visitor Registration Card Form provides information from wilderness and special management area visitors including name and address, area to be visited, dates of visit, length of stay, method of travel, number of people, and number of pack and saddle stock (that is, the number of animals either carrying people or their gear) in the group, and number of watercraft or vehicles. The information is collected once from visitors during their visit, and later gathered by Forest Service employees who then analyze the information. The use of these two forms allows managers to identify heavily used areas, to prepare restoration and monitoring plans that reflect where use is occurring, and in extreme cases, to develop plans to move forest users to lesser impacted areas. They also provide managers with information useful in locating lost forest visitors. Not being able to use these forms could result in overuse and site deterioration in some environmentally sensitive areas. Furthermore, without these forms, the Forest Service would be required to undertake special studies to collect use data, and could be pressed to make management decisions based on insufficient or inaccurate data. The information collected will not be shared with other organizations inside or outside the government. *Estimate of Annual Burden:* 3 minutes (FS-2300-30), 3 minutes (FS-2300-32). *Type of Respondents:* Individuals and groups requesting use of National Forest System Wilderness and special management areas. *Estimated Annual Number of Respondents:* 386,400 respondents. *Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent:* 1. *Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:* 19,320 hours. Comment is invited on:

(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

(SEIS)to the Ogden Travel Plan Revision Final Environment Impact Statement (FEIS). The Ogden Travel Plan Revision FEIS evaluated six alternatives for possible travel management of motorized trails and roads. DATES: Scoping will not be conducted in accordance with 40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4). The draft supplemental environmental impact statement is expected in December 2006 and the final supplemental environmental impact statement is expected in March 2007. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Chip Sibbernsen, Ogden District Ranger, 507 25th Street, Ogden, Utah 84401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chip Sibbernsen, District Ranger,

(801)625-5112, Ogden Ranger District, 507 25th Street, Ogden, Utah, 84401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Action On March 20, 2006, District Ranger Chip Sibbernsen made a decision designating routes open for motorized travel use, seasonal and other closures, development of two gravel sources, improvements to two concentrated use areas, and new trail construction on the Ogden Ranger District. The decision also allowed limited use of motor vehicles within 150 feet of designated roads to access dispersed camping sites. The Record of Decision was appealed by four separate parties. Upon review the Appeal Deciding Officer Forest Supervisor Faye Krueger reversed the decision made by Ranger Chip Sibbernsen. The ruling was based on her finding that the environmental analysis and supporting information in the project record were not adequate to support the decision in regard to cumulative effects analysis. The SEIS will be limited in its scope and focus on cumulative environmental impacts directly related to the decision made in March 2006. Responsible Official Chip Sibbernsen, Ogden District Ranger, Ogden Ranger District, 507 25th Street, Ogden, Utah, 84401. Dated: July 18, 2006. Chip Sibbersen, District Ranger. [FR Doc. 06-6422 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am]

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U.S. Code

Proposed rule
Proposed Rules

1 reference not yet in our index

40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4)

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Notices

Notice

U.S.C.§ 473

U.S.C.§ 1131

U.S.C.§ 1271

Fed. Reg.Proposed Rules

Cite40 CFR 1502.9(c)(4)

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