[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 2409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1011]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WO-260-1030-2-24 1A]


Request for Emergency Clearance of an Information Collection 
Relating to Wild Horses and Burros

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces that we have requested 
emergency approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) by 
January 30, 1998, to collect information relating to certain wild 
horses and burros. The BLM needs this information to issue title to 
adopters of wild horses and burros since 1992 who have not yet received 
title to the animals. We do not anticipate that collecting this 
information will extend beyond the 180-day maximum permitted by 
statute.

DATES: Comments on the request for emergency clearance should be sent 
as soon as possible. Comments on the proposed collection must be 
received by January 30, 1998, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments on the request for emergency clearance 
directly to the Office of Management and Budget, Interior Department 
Desk Officer (1004-NEW), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Washington, D.C. 20503. Please send a copy of your comments to the 
Bureau of Land Management Information Clearance Officer (WO-630), 1849 
C St., N.W., Mail Stop 401 LS, Washington, D.C. 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carole Smith, (202) 452-0367, from whom a copy of the proposed 
emergency collection is available.

NATURE OF COMMENTS: We specifically request your comments on the 
proposed collection in relation to the following:
    (1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for BLM's 
proper functioning, including whether or not the information will have 
practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of BLM's estimate of the burden of collecting the 
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 collecting the information on 
those who are to respond, including using the appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Wild, Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act 
of December 15, 1971, as amended, places these animals under BLM's 
management and protection. BLM must manage these animals so as to 
achieve and maintain a thriving, natural ecological balance on the 
public lands. Maintaining the balance requires removing excess animals 
from the range and offering healthy animals for adoption. These animals 
go to individuals who are qualified to provide humane care and proper 
treatment. If these individuals demonstrate proper treatment and care 
for 1 year, BLM may grant title to not more than four animals per year 
to these individuals.
    The regulations at 43 CFR 4750.5 require BLM to issue titles after 
1 year to adopters who have held the animals for a year and have 
complied with all applicable requirements. Since 1992, about 2,500 
individuals have adopted about 4,000 horses but do not have title to 
them. Untitled animals are Federal property and subject to BLM's 
jurisdiction and oversight. This information collection would assist 
these adopters in getting title to the animals.
    The collection would be conducted as follows: BLM would send 
registered letters to the approximately 2,500 adopters at their 
addresses of record during the first week of February 1998. Respondents 
would be asked to verify preprinted information about each horse or 
burro as accurate or to correct it and would give information about 
what happened to the horse or burro and where it is currently located. 
Those individuals who still have their horses would be asked to title 
them by submitting an application for title. The application requests 
information about the animal(s) and the adopter's name and address and 
also requires a certified statement from a veterinarian or other animal 
professional that the animal or animals were properly cared for and in 
good health. We expect a 30% to 35% response rate to this mailing. 
Individuals who did not respond but for whom letters were not returned 
by the Postal Service would receive a second letter, sent by regular 
mail.
    The time for reading the letter and preprinted information, 
verifying and supplying data and getting a certification as to the 
health of the animal or animals is estimated at 1 hour, 15 minutes per 
response. This time includes 45 minutes for the adopter to fill in the 
required information and 30 minutes for the veterinarian or other 
applicable individual to search his or her records and certify that the 
animals were humanely treated and cared for.
    The BLM needs this information in advance of the time frames 
required by a regular information collection in order to meet its data 
needs and to comply with a settlement in Fund for the Animals and 
Animal Protection League, Inc. v. Shea. The terms of the settlement 
agreement in this lawsuit require BLM to get OMB approval for two forms 
relating to maintenance and care and titling of wild horses and burros. 
The titling effort associated with this collection will assist in 
meeting the terms and intent of the settlement agreement.

    Dated: January 9, 1998.
Carole Smith,
Bureau of Land Management Information Collection Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-1011 Filed 1-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M