24710 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 82 / Thursday, April 27, 2000 / Notices

Documents and other information

submitted with these applications are

available for review, subject to the

requirements of the Privacy Act and

Freedom of Information Act, by any

party who submits a written request for

a copy of these documents to the

following office within 30 days of the

date of publication of this notice: U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of

Management Authority, 4401 North

Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington,

Virginia 22203. Phone: (703/358–2095);

FAX: (703/358–2298).

Dated: April 24, 2000.

Mark Phillips,

Acting Chief, Branch of Operations, Office

of Management Authority.

[FR Doc. 00–10490 Filed 4–26–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–U

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

Request for Public Comments on

Proposed Information Collection

Submitted to the Office of Management

and Budget for Review Under the

Paperwork Reduction Act

The proposed information collection

described below has been submitted to

the Office of Management and Budget

for approval under the provisions of the

Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.

chapter 35). Copies of the proposed

collection of information may be

obtained by contacting the Bureau’s

clearance officer at the phone number

listed below. OMB has up to 60 days to

approve or disapprove the information

collection but may respond after 30

days; therefore, public comments

should be submitted to OMB within 30

days in order to assure their maximum

consideration. Comments and

suggestions on the proposal should be

made directly to the Desk Officer for the

Interior Department, Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs,

Office of Management and Budget,

Washington, DC 20503 and to the

Bureau clearance officer, U.S.

Geological Survey, 807 National Center,

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston,

Virginia, 20192, (703–648–7313).

Specific public comments are

requested as to:

1. Whether the collection of

information is necessary for the proper

performance of the functions on the

bureaus, including whether the

information will have practical utility;

2. The accuracy of the bureau’s

estimate of the burden of the collection

of information, including the validity of

the methodology and assumptions used:

3. The quality, utility, and clarity of

the information to be collected; and

4. How to minimize the burden of the

collection of information on those who

are to respond, including the use of

appropriate automated, electronic,

mechanical, or other forms of

information technology.

Title: Public knowledge and

perception of Black Tailed Prairie Dogs

in the Midwest region of the United

States.

OMB Approval No.: New collection.

Abstract: The ability to identify

knowledge gaps in the public’s

understanding of the issues concerning

Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys

ludovicianus) is necessary while

conservation efforts involving this

species are in the early planning stages.

The object of this study is to provide

information that is needed to

understand the complexities of wildlife/

human interactions and current land

use and management practices. Any

additional information about this

species can provide data that can help

determine if the species needs to be

included on the Federal list of

threatened and endangered wildlife and

plants. As a result of rapidly declining

populations, increased pressure to

develop habitats, and controversies

about disease vectors associated with

prairie dog communities attention has

focused in the past few years on the

status of this species. The issue of

listing Prairie Dogs as threatened or

endangered species has become a very

important subject for fish and wildlife

managers, political leaders, and

community groups in a 10 state areas of

the Midwest (Texas, New Mexico,

Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, Utah,

Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota,

South Dakota, and Nebraska). Although

the subject has achieved wide attention,

no studies have been conducted that

evaluate public knowledge, perception,

or economic value of prairie dog

communities and management practices

in these areas. Understanding public

knowledge, perception, and values is a

vital component of wildlife

management. Improved understanding

will guide future management practices.

Bureau Form No.: None.

Frequency: One time.

Description of Respondents:

Individual or households.

Estimated Completion Time: 14

minutes per respondent (approximate).

Number of Respondents: 1,740 (2,900

mail surveys).

Burden hours: 406 hours. (The burden

estimates are based on 14 minutes to

complete each questionnaire and a 60%

return rate.)

For Additional Information Please

Contact: Phadrea Ponds, (970) 226–

9445, phadrealponds@usgs.gov.

Bureau clearance officer: John

Cordyack (703) 648–7313.

Dated: February 18, 2000.

Carol F. Aten,

Acting Chief Biologist.

[FR Doc. 00–10491 Filed 4–26–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–Y7–M

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[OR–130–1020–XU; GPO–0197]

Notice of Meeting of the Eastern

Washington Resource Advisory

Council

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,

Spokane District, Interior.

ACTION: Field-trip and meeting of the

Eastern Washington Resource Advisory

Council; May 25, 2000, Whitman and

Adams Counties, Washington.

SUMMARY: The Eastern Washington

Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will

hold a field-trip and meeting on May 25,

2000. The field-trip will commence at

9:00 a.m., at the Spokane District Office

of the Bureau of Land Management

(BLM), 1103 N. Fancher, Spokane, WA

99212–1275. The RAC will visit BLM

lands along Rock Creek in Whitman and

Adams Counties formerly known as the

Escure ranch. The field-trip will adjourn

upon conclusion of business, but no

later than 4:00 p.m. Public comments

will be heard from 10:00 a.m. until

10:30 a.m. at the Escure Ranch

headquarters site. This field-trip is in

lieu of a trip scheduled for April 20,

2000 but canceled due to weather

conditions. If necessary to accommodate

all wishing to make public comments, a

time limit may be placed upon each

speaker. Topics to be discussed include

management of the Rock Creek lands.

Transportation will be provided for RAC

members only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bureau of Land Management, Spokane

District Office, 1103 N. Fancher Road,

Spokane, Washington, 99212–1275; or

call 509–536–1200.

Dated: April 21, 2000.

Joseph K. Buesing,

District Manager.

[FR Doc. 00–10485 Filed 4–26–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–33–P