82 FR 17795 - Information Collection; Request for Comment; National Visitor Use Monitoring

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 70 (April 13, 2017)

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection, National Visitor Use Monitoring (0596-0110).

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 70 (Thursday, April 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17795-17796]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07488]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; National Visitor Use 
Monitoring

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 is seeking comments from all interested individuals and 
organizations on the extension of a currently approved information 
collection, National Visitor Use Monitoring (0596-0110).

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 12, 2017 
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 Dr. 
Donald B.K. English, Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer Resources, 
Mailstop 1125, Forest Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1125.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 202-205-1145 or by 
email to: [email protected]. The public may inspect comments received 
at the Office of the Director, Recreation, Heritage, and Volunteer 
Resources, 5th Floor South West, Sidney R. Yates Federal Building, 201 
14th Street SW., Washington, DC, during normal business hours. Visitors 
are encouraged to call ahead to (202) 205-9595 to facilitate entry to 
the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Donald B.K. English, Recreation, 
Heritage, and Volunteer Resources staff, at 202-205-9595. Individuals 
who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the 
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339,

[[Page 17796]]

between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Visitor Use Monitoring.
    OMB Number: 0596-0110.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2017.
    Type of Request: Extension with revision.
    Abstract: The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 
requires that Federal agencies establish measurable goals and monitor 
their success at meeting those goals. Two of the items the Forest 
Service must measure are: (1) The number of visits that occur on the 
National Forest System lands for recreation and other purposes, and (2) 
the views and satisfaction levels of recreational visitors to National 
Forest System lands about the services, facilities, and settings. The 
Agency receives requests for this kind of information from a variety of 
organizations, including Congressional staffs, newspapers, magazines, 
and recreational trade organizations.
    The data from this collection provides vital information for 
strategic planning efforts, decisions regarding allocation of 
resources, and revisions of land and resource management plans for 
national forests. It provides managers with reliable estimates of the 
number of recreational visitors to a national forest, activities of 
those visitors (including outdoor physical activities), customer 
satisfaction, and visitor values. The knowledge gained from this effort 
helps identify recreational markets as well as the economic 
contributions visitors' spending has on economic areas around forest 
lands. For the Forest Service, the collection is designed for a five-
year cycle of coverage across all national forests. Conducting the 
collection less frequently puts information updates out of cycle with 
forest planning and other data preparation and reporting activities.
    At recreation sites or access points, agency personnel or 
contractors will conduct onsite interviews of visitors as they complete 
their visit. Interviewers will ask about the purpose and length of the 
visit, the trip origin, activities, annual visitation rates, trip-
related spending patterns, use of recreation facilities, satisfaction 
with agency services and facilities, and the composition of the 
visiting party. Primary analysis of the information for the Forest 
Service and partnering agencies will be performed by Forest Service 
staff in the Washington Office and by scientists in one or more of the 
agency's research stations.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 9 minutes (average).
    Type of Respondents: Visitors to lands and waters managed by the 
U.S. Forest Service.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 45,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,400 hours.
    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: March 30, 2017.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-07488 Filed 4-12-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P