[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 138 (Monday, July 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 38807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19215]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection for the Wildland-Urban Interface Series

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service announces its intent to establish a new information 
collection. The new collection is necessary to help the Forest Service 
gain a better understanding of how residents living in urban 
environments perceive the agency's management of National Forest System 
lands, how the agency can better meet the recreational needs of 
residents of all ages who live in urban environments close to National 
Forest System lands, and how the agency can more effectively 
disseminate information to urban residents about National Forest System 
land recreational opportunities. Respondents will be urban residents 
who live close to and visit National Forest System lands, as well as 
urban residents who do not visit.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before September 18, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to: Forest Service, USDA, 
The Wildland-Urban Interface Project, Pacific Southwest Forest 
Experiment Station, 4955 Canyon Crest Dr., Riverside, CA 92507.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Patricia Winter, Pacific Southwest 
Forest Experiment Station, at (909) 680-1557.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collection

    Title: The Wildland-Urban Interface Series.
    OMB Number: New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: New.
    Type of Request: The following describes a new collection 
requirement and has not received approval by the Office of Management 
and Budget.
    Abstract: Forest Service personnel will analyze the collected data 
to gain a better understanding of how residents, living in an urban 
environment close to National Forest System lands, get or receive 
information about recreational opportunities on these lands; how 
residents in urban environments perceive the Forest Service's 
management of the lands; how much residents in urban environments know 
about and what they think about the agency's policies and regulations 
governing the lands; and which recreational activities urban residents 
prefer.
    Forest Service research scientists and technicians will collect the 
data.
    The collected data will include the respondent's gender, age, 
education, ethnic or racial group affiliation, zip code, primary 
language, when they last visited an outdoor public recreational area, 
how many times a year they visit, if they have plans to visit in the 
near future, the types of activities they participate in while visiting 
the recreational sites, how they learned about the recreational area, 
if the area is relaxing or reminds them of other favorite places, if 
they think the area is accessible for the disabled, and the amenities 
they prefer, such as informational signs, well-maintained trails, and 
natural vegetation. Respondents, who have not visited Forest Service 
managed recreational sites, will be asked their reason for not 
visiting.
    This information collection will include mail-in questionnaires, 
telephone interviews, and face-to-face interviews. Participation will 
be voluntary.
    Data gathered in this information collection is not available from 
other sources.
    Estimate of Burden: 15 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals and groups visiting National 
Forest System lands, urban residents living in close proximity to the 
lands, and visitors to outdoor public recreational areas.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 750 hours.

Comments Are Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) 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.

Use of Comments

    All comments received in response to this notice, including the 
name and address when provided, will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 14, 1998.
Robert Lewis, Jr.,
Acting Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 98-19215 Filed 7-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P