Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 97 / Friday, May 17, 1996 / Notices 24915

acute because of hail storms, wind, and

excess rain thereby severely affecting

livestock feed production and causing

increased economic distress. This

reservation is utilized by members of

the Three Affiliated Tribes for grazing

purposes.

2. The use of feed grain or products

thereof made available by CCC for

livestock feed for such needy members

of the Three Affiliated Tribes using the

Fort Berthold Indian Reservation will

not displace or interfere with normal

marketing of agricultural commodities.

3. Based on the above determinations,

the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation of

North Dakota is declared an acute

distress area and the donation of feed

grain owned by the CCC is authorized

to livestock owners who are determined

by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United

States Department of the Interior, to be

needy members of the Three Affiliated

Tribes utilizing such lands. These

donations by the CCC may commence

upon May 8, 1996, and shall be made

available through June 15, 1996, or such

other date as may be stated in a notice

issued by the Executive Vice President,

CCC.

Signed at Washington, DC, on May 9, 1996.

Grant Buntrock,

Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit

Corporation.

[FR Doc. 96–12380 Filed 5–16–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–05–P

Forest Service

Extension of Currently Approved

Information Collection for Customer

and Use Survey Techniques for

Operations, Management, Evaluation,

and Research

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the

Forest Service announces its intent to

request an extension of a currently

approved information collection related

to visitor use of recreational sites on

National Forest System lands.

DATES: Comments must be received in

writing on or before July 16, 1996.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be

addressed to: H. Ken Cordell, Principal

Investigator, Forest Service, USDA,

Southern Research Station, 320 Green

St., Athens, GA 30602.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

H. Ken Cordell, Outdoor Recreation and

Wilderness Assessment, at (706) 546–

2451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collection

The following describes the

information collection to be extended:

Title: Customer and Use Survey

Techniques for Operations,

Management, Evaluation, and Research.

OMB Number: 0596–0110.

Expiration Date of Approval: June 30,

1996.

Type of Request: Extension of a

previously approved information

collection.

Abstract: The data collected is

evaluated to ensure that the agency

meets its Continuous Improvement

Program and public service goals and

management objectives. National Forest

System land visitors are asked to

respond to questions that include

whether National Forest System land

recreational sites are accessible to

persons with disabilities, whether

access roads are well maintained and

adequate parking is available, if grounds

and rest rooms are clean and drinking

water is safe, and whether agency

personnel are available to answer

questions and offer assistance. Also,

information is collected that reflects the

economic impact National Forest

System land recreational sites have on

local and regional communities. There

are seven general categories of

information requests: a CUSTOMER onsite survey, four site-specific postage

paid mail-in surveys, one expense

related postage paid mail-in survey, and

a CUSTOMER Report Card. Data

gathered in this information collection

is not available from other sources.

Customer On-Site Survey

Abstract: The CUSTOMER On-Site

Survey is a verbal survey administered

by Forest Service personnel or Forest

Service volunteers to visitors of

recreational sites on National Forest

System lands. Answers are filled in by

the survey administrator. Data collected

in the CUSTOMER On-Site survey

include the location of the interview

(e.g., roadside, picnic area, boat ramp,

etc.), distance traveled to the site,

duration of stay at the site, purpose of

the visit, number of people included in

the group, helpfulness of agency

employees, availability of information

about the area, and the opportunity to

see and hear wildlife.

Estimate of Burden: 15 minutes per

response.

Type of Respondents: Visitors

utilizing National Forest System lands

recreational sites.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

10,000.

Estimated Number of Responses per

Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on

Respondents: 2,500 hours.

Customer Postage Paid Mail-In Surveys

Abstract: After the CUSTOMER OnSite Survey has been administered by

Forest Service personnel or volunteers,

visitors using recreational sites on

National Forest System lands are asked

to fill out a postage paid mail-in survey.

Visitors are given only 1 of 4 different

site-specific mail-in surveys used in

conjunction with the CUSTOMER OnSite Survey. Each survey focuses on a

different aspect of the recreational site.

For example, one survey includes

questions about convenience of cooking

grills, picnic tables, cleanliness of

facilities, and adequacy of camp sites.

Another survey includes questions

about the helpfulness of agency

employees, availability of maps for the

area, and whether areas are clearly

marked. A third survey includes

questions about walking trails,

condition of access roads and

availability of parking, information

about historic sites, or absence of

human modifications to the visible

landscape. The fourth site-specific

survey asks questions relating to

availability and condition of boat ramps

and beaches, fishing, swimming or

water-skiing opportunities, and whether

the recreational sites are crowded.

Estimate of Burden: 15 minutes per

response.

Type of Respondents: Visitors

utilizing National Forest System lands

recreational sites.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

10,000.

Estimated Number of Responses per

Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on

Respondents: 2,500 hours.

Customer Postage Paid Mail-In Expense

Survey

Abstract: Visitors at recreational sites

on National Forest System lands are also

given a postage paid mail-in survey

related to their recreational expenses.

They are asked to estimate the dollars

they spent on recreational equipment

and activities and whether the dollars

were spent at or near the recreational

site. The visitors are asked to return the

survey by mail after completing it.

Estimate of Burden: 15 minutes per

response.

Type of Respondents: Visitors

utilizing National Forest System lands

recreational sites.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

10,000.
24916 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 97 / Friday, May 17, 1996 / Notices

Estimated number of Responses per

Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on

Respondents: 2,500 hours.

Customer Report Card

Abstract: The CUSTOMER Report

Card is an on-site survey made available

to visitors at the recreational site. The

purpose of the CUSTOMER Report Card

is to gather data about the experiences

visitors have on National Forest System

land recreational sites, such as how

satisfying the visit was and whether the

recreational site met the visitor’s needs.

When completed, the surveys are placed

in a box located at the recreational site

for this purpose.

Estimate of Burden: 5 minutes per

response.

Type of Respondents: 10,000.

Estimated Number of Responses per

Respondent: 1.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on

Respondents: 834 hours.

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 will be summarized and

included in the request for OMB

approval. All comments will also

become a matter of public record.

Dated: May 13, 1996.

Jack Ward Thomas,

Chief.

[FR Doc. 96–12452 Filed 5–16–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–11–M

Grain Inspection, Packers and

Stockyards Administration

Livestock Care and Handling

Guidelines; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Agency is proposing to

issue livestock care and handling

guidelines to assist the industry in

complying with the provisions of the

Packers and Stockyards Act.

DATES: Comments are invited and

should be submitted by July 16, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to

the Deputy Administrator, Packers and

Stockyards Programs, Room 3039, South

Building, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250–

2800. Comments received may be

inspected during normal business hours

in the Office of the Deputy

Administrator, Packers and Stockyards

Programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan

Van Ackeren, Director, Livestock

Marketing Division, (202) 720–6951.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Because of

public concerns, the Agency initiated a

program to review the services,

facilities, and procedures for receiving

and handling livestock at all stockyards.

Since May 1991, the Agency has

investigated over 1,400 stockyards to

determine whether the livestock

handling practices, services, and

facilities at these stockyards were

adequate to assure livestock are handled

and cared for properly. While most

stockyards have adequate facilities and

exercise good animal care and handling

practices, problems were found to exist

at some stockyards. Some of the

problems encountered at stockyards

included: inadequate facilities; handling

livestock in a manner that could cause

bruising, injury, or unnecessary

suffering, including excessive use of

electric prods or other driving devices;

overcrowding in pens; and not handling

nonambulatory or injured livestock

promptly. In addition, the Agency has

received over 8,000 letters from animal

welfare groups or from individuals not

identified as producers or as members of

any organization concerning the care

and handling of ‘‘downed’’ animals at

stockyards.

While the Agency already has a

regulation (9 CFR 201.82) issued under

the provisions of the Packers and

Stockyards (P&S) Act that requires

stockyard owners to exercise reasonable

care and promptness in providing

stockyard services to prevent shrinkage,

injury, death, or other avoidable loss,

that regulation does not adequately

address the specific problems found in

the Agency’s review of the livestock

handling practices, services, and

facilities of stockyards. The Agency

believes issuing specific livestock care

and handling guidelines to the

stockyard industry would be helpful in

dealing with this issue.

After considering the results of over

1,400 stockyard reviews, and the letters

from concerned citizens, the Agency is

proposing to publish guidelines for the

care and handling of livestock at

stockyards to assist the industry in

complying with the provisions of the

Packers and Stockyards Act. The

guidelines would advise stockyard

owners that they should maintain their

facilities in a manner that avoids risk of

injury, bruising, unnecessary suffering

and stress. The stockyards would be

advised to move, pen, and care for

livestock in a manner that protects the

quality and value of the animal while

also providing for the animal’s welfare.

The guidelines would also advise

stockyard owners of the minimum

standards the Agency considers

necessary for handling nonambulatory

animals.

Section 301(b) of the Packers and

Stockyards Act (7 U.S.C. 201(b)) defines

‘‘stockyard services’’ as any ‘‘services or

facilities furnished at a stockyard in

connection with the receiving, buying or

selling on a commission basis or

otherwise, marketing, feeding, watering,

holding, delivery, shipment, weighing,

or handling, in commerce, of livestock.’’

Section 304 (7 U.S.C. 205) provides that:

‘‘All stockyard services furnished

pursuant to reasonable request made to

a stockyard owner or market agency at

such stockyard shall be reasonable and

nondiscriminatory and stockyard

services, which are furnished, shall not

be refused on any basis that is

unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory

* * *.’’

Section 307(a) (7 U.S.C. 208(a))

provides that: ‘‘It shall be the duty of

every stockyard owner and market

agency to establish, observe, and enforce

just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory

regulations and practices in respect to

the furnishing of stockyard services

* * *.’’ Section 312(a) (7 U.S.C. 213(a))

provides that: ‘‘It shall be unlawful for

any stockyard owner, market agency, or

dealer to engage in or use any unfair,

unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive

practice or device in connection with

determining whether persons should be

authorized to operate at the stockyards,

or with the receiving, marketing,

buying, or selling on a commission basis

or otherwise, feeding, watering, holding,

delivery, shipment, weighing, or

handling of livestock.’’

The Guidelines

Livestock in marketing channels

should be handled and cared for in a

manner that is consistent with the

animals’ well-being and that protects

their quality and value. The Agency

does not condone handling livestock in

any manner that is inconsistent with

good animal husbandry practices and