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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 249 (Monday, December 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 106422-106423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31346]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Information Collection; Non-Timber Forest Products

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency) is requesting public comment 
on the reapproval and proposed revisions of an approved information 
collection (ICR), 0596-0243, Non-Timber Forest Products.

DATES: Comments on reapproval and the proposed revisions of the ICR 
must be received in writing by February 28, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Forest Service Research and 
Development, 201 14th Street SW, Washington, DC 20250-1124. Comments 
also may be submitted by email to: [email protected].
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be available to 
the public through relevant websites and upon request. Therefore, do 
not include confidential information, such as sensitive personal 
information or proprietary information. An email address associated 
with a comment will be included with the comment when it is made 
publicly available online.
    The public may inspect the draft supporting statements for the ICR 
and comments received at 201 14th Street SW, Washington, DC 20250, on 
business days between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged 
to call ahead at 703-559-2972 to facilitate entry to the building. The 
public may request an electronic copy of the supporting statements and 
comments via return email. Requests should be emailed to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Minde, Social Science Analyst, 
at [email protected] or 703-559-2972. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf and hard of hearing may call 711 
to reach the Telecommunications Relay Service, 24 hours a day, every 
day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Non-Timber Forest Products.
    OMB Number: 0596-0243.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2025.
    Type of Request: Reapproval and proposed revisions of an approved 
ICR.
    Abstract:
    Non-timber forest products are plants, mushrooms, and plant- or 
tree-derived goods like nuts, boughs, sap, and leaves that are 
harvested for use as food, medicine, cultural, artisan, and other 
purposes. Some gathering is planned and systematic, while much of it is 
informal, unplanned, opportunistic, or incidental to other outdoor 
recreation activities. For some people, harvested wild plants and 
mushrooms make up a substantial or nutritionally important part of 
their diet. In other cases, non-timber forest products are locally or 
regionally important products for businesses.
    Many opportunities exist to manage forests and other natural areas 
to enhance the supply of non-timber forest products. This increases the 
benefits they provide to society, individuals, and cultures and helps 
maintain populations of important non-timber forest products in the 
face of changes like invasive species and climate impacts. Potential 
public benefits include improved public health outcomes from outdoor 
activity and access to socially, culturally, and economically 
significant products. Harvesting and consuming non-timber forest 
products also may help supplement food sources for people with limited 
access to fresh, affordable food.
    Many laws and policies direct the Forest Service to consider and 
manage for non-timber forest products for the benefit of the public and 
to meet trust responsibilities to American Indians and Alaskan Natives 
on federal and Tribal lands, e.g., Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 1974, Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
Resources Research Act of 1978. Managing forests and other natural 
areas to provide non-timber forest products in a sustainable way 
requires detailed, science-based information. Gaining new information 
can help us understand how uses of non-timber forest products have 
changed over time in response to management, socio-cultural 
circumstances, the economic conditions of Tribes, and environmental 
forces of change.
    The Forest Service seeks to obtain OMB approval for extension with 
revision to a currently approved information collection to collect 
information from who manage, make policies for, or otherwise have a 
stake in the management of lands where non-timber forest products may 
be harvested.
    Estimated Annual Burden per Response: 25 minutes for survey; 60 
minutes for interview; 90 minutes for focus group.
    Types of Respondents: Individuals and households, businesses and 
non-profit organizations, and state, local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,300.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 276 hours.
    Comment is invited on: (1) whether this collection of information 
is necessary for the stated purposes and

[[Page 106423]]

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 submission request for 
Office of Management and Budget for reapproval of the ICR as revised.

JoLynn Anderson,
Liason.
[FR Doc. 2024-31346 Filed 12-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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