80 FR 18598 - Information Collection; Community Forest and Open Space Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 66 (April 7, 2015)

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service (FS) is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension with no revision of a currently approved information collection; Community Forest and Open Space Program. The Agency is in the process of a proposed rule revision that will include a new information collection request; when the revised rule is final, the Agency will merge the new information collection with this information collection.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 18598]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07996]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Community Forest and Open Space Program

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service (FS) is seeking comments from all interested individuals 
and organizations on the extension with no revision of a currently 
approved information collection; Community Forest and Open Space 
Program.
    The Agency is in the process of a proposed rule revision that will 
include a new information collection request; when the revised rule is 
final, the Agency will merge the new information collection with this 
information collection.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 15, 2015 
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will 
be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Maya 
Solomon, USDA Forest Service, Cooperative Forestry Staff, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 1123, Washington, DC 20250. Comments 
may also be submitted electronically via email to 
[email protected]. If comments are sent electronically, do not 
duplicate via regular mail.
    The public may inspect comments received at the USDA Forest 
Service, Yates Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 
during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 
facilitate entry into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maya Solomon, Forest Legacy Program 
Specialist, by phone at 202-206-1376. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 
p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Community Forest and Open Space Program.
    OMB Number: 0596-0189.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2015.
    Type of Request: Extension with no change.
    Abstract: The purpose of Community Forest Program is to achieve 
community benefits through grants to local governments, Tribal 
Governments, and qualified nonprofit organizations to establish 
community forests by acquiring and protecting private forestlands. This 
proposed rule includes information requirements necessary to implement 
Community Forest Program and comply with grants regulations and OMB 
Circulars. The information requirements will be used to help the Forest 
Service in the following areas: (1) To determine that the applicant is 
eligible to receive funds under the program, (2) to determine if the 
proposal meets the qualifications in the law and regulations, (3) to 
evaluate and rank the proposals based on a standard, consistent 
information; and (4) to determine if the projects costs are allowable 
and sufficient cost share is provided.
    Local governmental entities, Tribal Governments, and qualified 
nonprofit organizations are the only entities eligible for the program, 
and therefore are the only organizations from which information will be 
collected.
    The information collection currently required for a request for 
proposals and grant application is approved and has been assigned the 
OMB Control No. 0596-0227.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 150.
    Estimated Burden per Response: 22.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Total Annual Responses: 150.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,778 hours.

Comment Is Invited

    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information 
is necessary for the stated purposes and 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 request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: April 1, 2015.
Victoria C. Christiansen,
Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2015-07996 Filed 4-6-15; 8:45 am]
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