83_FR_46879 83 FR 46700 - Information Collection; Understanding Value Trade-Offs Regarding Fire Hazard Reduction Programs in the Wildland-Urban Interface

83 FR 46700 - Information Collection; Understanding Value Trade-Offs Regarding Fire Hazard Reduction Programs in the Wildland-Urban Interface

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 179 (September 14, 2018)

Page Range46700-46701
FR Document2018-20046

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the renewal of a currently approved information collection, Understanding Value Trade-offs regarding Fire Hazard Reduction Programs in the Wildland-Urban Interface (OMB # 0596-0189), with a revision for the removal of in-depth phone interviews and minor changes in questionnaire.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 179 (Friday, September 14, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 179 (Friday, September 14, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46700-46701]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20046]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Understanding Value Trade-Offs Regarding 
Fire Hazard Reduction Programs in the Wildland-Urban Interface

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 renewal of a currently approved information 
collection, Understanding Value Trade-offs regarding Fire Hazard 
Reduction Programs in the Wildland-Urban Interface (OMB # 0596-0189), 
with a revision for the removal of in-depth phone interviews and minor 
changes in questionnaire.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before November 13, 
2018 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 
Jos[eacute] S[aacute]nchez, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest 
Research Station, 4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, California 92507. 
Comments may also be submitted via facsimile to 951-680-1501, or by 
email to [email protected].
    The public may inspect comments received at the Pacific Southwest 
Research Station, during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged 
to call ahead to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jos[eacute] S[aacute]nchez, by phone 
at 951-680-1560. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Understanding Value Trade-offs Regarding Fire Hazard 
Reduction Programs in the Wildland-Urban Interface.
    OMB Number: 0596-0189.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2018.
    Type of Request: Renewal with revision.
    Abstract: Forest Service and university researchers will collect 
information from members of the public via a brief phone questionnaire 
followed by the respondent's choice of a mail questionnaire or an 
online questionnaire to help forest and fire managers understand value 
trade-offs regarding fire hazard reduction programs in the wildland-
urban interface. Researchers will evaluate the responses of Arizona, 
Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas residents to different scenarios 
related to fire-hazard reduction programs, determine how effective 
residents think the programs are, and calculate how much residents 
would be willing to pay to implement the alternatives presented to 
them. This information will help researchers provide better information 
to natural resource, forest, and fire managers when they are 
contemplating the type of fire-hazard reduction program to implement to 
achieve forestland management planning objectives.
    A random sample of residents of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and 
Texas will be contacted via random-digit dialed telephone calls and 
asked to participate in the research study. If they are willing to 
participate in the study, they will elect to receive an online or paper 
questionnaire and will provide the appropriate address. Though 
different forms, these questionnaires have the same set of questions. 
In this initial call, we will also ask those willing to participate a 
brief set of questions to determine pre-existing knowledge of fuels 
reduction treatments. After completion of the mail or online 
questionnaire, no further contact with the participants will occur. The 
in-depth phone interviews approved in the prior version of this 
information collection will be removed from the protocol in this 
renewal. Additionally, we anticipate adding several questions to the 
questionnaire on emerging issues, including how scenic quality impacts 
resident support for fire-hazard reduction programs.
    A university research-survey center will collect the information 
for the mail and online questionnaires. A Forest Service researcher and 
collaborators at a cooperating university will analyze the data 
collected. Researchers are experienced in applied economic non-market 
valuation research and survey research methods.
    The Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as 
many state agencies with fire protection responsibilities will benefit 
from this information collection. At present, many of these agencies 
with fire protection responsibilities continue an ambitious and costly 
fuels reduction program for fire risk reduction and will benefit from 
public opinion on which treatments are most effective or desirable.
    Estimate of Annual Burden per Respondent: 40 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Members of the public.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,675.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 690 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

[[Page 46701]]

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 
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: August 29, 2018.
Carlos Rodriguez-Franco,
Deputy Chief, Research & Development.
[FR Doc. 2018-20046 Filed 9-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P

46700 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 179 / Friday, September 14, 2018 / Notices Officer at 541–618–2061 or email Programs in the Wildland-Urban A random sample of residents of brianwhite@fs.fed.us. Interface (OMB # 0596–0189), with a Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: revision for the removal of in-depth Texas will be contacted via random- New fees will be implemented at the phone interviews and minor changes in digit dialed telephone calls and asked to following sites: questionnaire. participate in the research study. If they Campgrounds: DATES: Comments must be received in are willing to participate in the study, Butler Bar, Eden Valley, Laird Lake, writing on or before November 13, 2018 they will elect to receive an online or Little Redwood, Oak Flat/Gravel Bar, to be assured of consideration. paper questionnaire and will provide Sunshine Bar. Comments received after that date will the appropriate address. Though Depending on the site, the new be considered to the extent practicable. different forms, these questionnaires recreation fee will be $8 or $10 per ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this have the same set of questions. In this night. notice should be addressed to José initial call, we will also ask those Group Campsites: Sánchez, USDA Forest Service, Pacific willing to participate a brief set of Six Mile and Winchuck. Group Southwest Research Station, 4955 questions to determine pre-existing camping fees will be $50 per night. Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, knowledge of fuels reduction Cabins/lookouts: California 92507. Comments may also treatments. After completion of the mail Ferris Ford Cabin, Store Gulch Guard be submitted via facsimile to 951–680– or online questionnaire, no further Station, and Squaw Peak Lookout. 1501, or by email to jsanchez@fs.fed.us. contact with the participants will occur. Depending on the facility, the overnight The public may inspect comments The in-depth phone interviews fee will be $65 to $125. The pricing received at the Pacific Southwest approved in the prior version of this difference reflects variables such as the Research Station, during normal information collection will be removed number of people who can use the sites, business hours. Visitors are encouraged from the protocol in this renewal. and whether electricity, running water to call ahead to facilitate entry to the Additionally, we anticipate adding and other amenities are provided. building. several questions to the questionnaire Day use areas/interpretive/picnic on emerging issues, including how FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: José sites: scenic quality impacts resident support Diver’s Hole, Foster Bar, Lobster Sánchez, by phone at 951–680–1560. Individuals who use telecommunication for fire-hazard reduction programs. Creek, Quosatana, River Bench, Six A university research-survey center Mile, Store Gulch, Union Wayside, devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800– will collect the information for the mail Natural Bridge, and Rogue Gorge. These and online questionnaires. A Forest day use sites will be $5 per day. The 877–8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including Service researcher and collaborators at a Northwest Forest Pass and all America cooperating university will analyze the the Beautiful—the National Parks and holidays. data collected. Researchers are Federal Recreational Lands passes will SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: experienced in applied economic non- be honored at these sites. Title: Understanding Value Trade-offs market valuation research and survey The Federal Recreation Lands Regarding Fire Hazard Reduction research methods. Enhancement Act (Title VII, Pub. L. Programs in the Wildland-Urban The Forest Service, Bureau of Land 108–447) directed the Secretary of Interface. Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Agriculture to publish a six month OMB Number: 0596–0189. National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife advance notice in the Federal Register Expiration Date of Approval: Service, as well as many state agencies whenever new recreation fee areas are November 30, 2018. with fire protection responsibilities will established. Type of Request: Renewal with benefit from this information collection. revision. Dated: September 6, 2018. Abstract: Forest Service and At present, many of these agencies with Chris French, university researchers will collect fire protection responsibilities continue Acting Deputy Chief, National Forest System. information from members of the public an ambitious and costly fuels reduction via a brief phone questionnaire followed program for fire risk reduction and will [FR Doc. 2018–19966 Filed 9–13–18; 8:45 am] by the respondent’s choice of a mail benefit from public opinion on which BILLING CODE 3411–15–P questionnaire or an online questionnaire treatments are most effective or to help forest and fire managers desirable. Estimate of Annual Burden per DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE understand value trade-offs regarding Respondent: 40 minutes. fire hazard reduction programs in the Type of Respondents: Members of the Forest Service wildland-urban interface. Researchers public. will evaluate the responses of Arizona, Estimated Annual Number of Information Collection; Understanding Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas Value Trade-Offs Regarding Fire Respondents: 1,675. residents to different scenarios related Estimated Annual Number of Hazard Reduction Programs in the to fire-hazard reduction programs, Wildland-Urban Interface Responses per Respondent: 1. determine how effective residents think Estimated Total Annual Burden on AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. the programs are, and calculate how Respondents: 690 hours. ACTION: Notice; request for comment. much residents would be willing to pay Comment is Invited: to implement the alternatives presented Comment is invited on: (1) Whether SUMMARY: In accordance with the to them. This information will help this collection of information is daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the researchers provide better information necessary for the stated purposes and Forest Service is seeking comments to natural resource, forest, and fire the proper performance of the functions from all interested individuals and managers when they are contemplating of the Agency, including whether the organizations on the renewal of a the type of fire-hazard reduction information will have practical or currently approved information program to implement to achieve scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the collection, Understanding Value Trade- forestland management planning Agency’s estimate of the burden of the offs regarding Fire Hazard Reduction objectives. collection of information, including the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Sep 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\14SEN1.SGM 14SEN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 179 / Friday, September 14, 2018 / Notices 46701 validity of the methodology and Federal Information Relay Service the Eastern Region Recreation Resource assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8 Advisory Committee. The applicable the quality, utility, and clarity of the a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday date of implementation of the proposed information to be collected; and (4) through Friday. new fee will be no earlier than six ways to minimize the burden of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The months after publication of this notice. collection of information on original Notice of Intent for public ADDRESSES: Cheat-Potomac Ranger respondents, including the use of comment on the Snow King Mountain District, Attn: Alex Schlueter, 2499 automated, electronic, mechanical, or Resort On-mountain Improvements North Fork Hwy., Petersburg, WV other technological collection Project was published in the Federal 26847. techniques or other forms of information Register on August 3, 2018 (83 FR technology. 38117), announcing a 30-day public FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alex All comments received in response to scoping period. A corrected notice was Schlueter, North Zone Recreation Staff this notice, including names and published on August 14, 2018 (83 FR Officer, 304–257–4488 x7114. addresses when provided, will be a 40215), providing a correction to the Information about proposed fee changes matter of public record. Comments will contact information and clarifying the can also be found on the Monongahela be summarized and included in the end date of the scoping period. National Forests’ website: https:// submission request toward Office of Recognizing a 30-day comment period www.fs.usda.gov/mnf. Management and Budget approval. may be insufficient for comment SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Dated: August 29, 2018. preparation from all interested parties, Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Carlos Rodriguez-Franco, the comment period is being extended Act (Title VII, Pub. L. 108–447) directed until October 4, 2018. A detailed the Secretary of Agriculture to publish Deputy Chief, Research & Development. description of the proposed action, a six month advance notice in the [FR Doc. 2018–20046 Filed 9–13–18; 8:45 am] including maps, and additional Federal Register whenever new BILLING CODE 3411–15–P information, is available at: http:// recreation fee areas are established. www.fs.usda.gov/project/ Once public involvement is complete, ?project=54201. this new fee will be reviewed by the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Dated: September 5, 2018. Eastern Region Recreation Resource Forest Service Allen Rowley, Advisory Committee prior to a final Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National decision and implementation. Bridger-Teton National Forest, Forest System. Dated: August 28, 2018. Jackson Ranger District, Teton [FR Doc. 2018–20044 Filed 9–13–18; 8:45 am] Chris French, County, Wyoming; Snow King BILLING CODE 3411–15–P Acting Deputy Chief, National Forest System. Mountain Resort On-Mountain [FR Doc. 2018–19963 Filed 9–13–18; 8:45 am] Improvements Project Environmental BILLING CODE 3411–15–P Impact Statement DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. Forest Service ACTION:Notice to reopen the public DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE scoping period. Notice of Proposed New Fee Sites; Federal Lands Recreation Forest Service SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, Enhancement Act Bridger-Teton National Forest is issuing Beaverhead-Deerlodge National this notice to advise the public that the AGENCY: Monongahela National Forest, Forest, Madison Ranger District; public scoping period for the Forest Service, USDA. Montana; Strawberry to Cascade preparation of an Environmental Impact ACTION: Notice of proposed new fee Allotment Management Plans Statement on the Snow King Mountain sites. AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. Resort On-mountain Improvements Project has been reopened. SUMMARY: The Monongahela National ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Forest is proposing to charge a environmental impact statement. DATES: Comments concerning the scope reservation fee at the newly constructed of the analysis must be received by Seneca Rocks Picnic Shelter of $75 per SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of October 4, 2018. day plus a $10 service fee. Advance Agriculture, Forest Service will prepare ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: reservations for the shelter will be an environmental impact statement Bridger-Teton National Forest—Jackson available through www.recreation.gov or (EIS) for the Strawberry to Cascade Ranger District, P.O. Box 1689, Jackson, by calling 1–877–444–6777. Use of the allotment management plans (AMPs). WY 83001—attention District Ranger shelter during unreserved times will The proposed project would revise Mary Moore. Comments may be hand- remain free of charge. The final fee price grazing management on the Barnett, delivered to 340 N. Cache St. between will be determined upon further Black Butte, Coal Creek, Cottonwood, 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through analysis and public comment. An Fossil-Hellroaring, Lyon-Wolverine, Friday, excluding holidays. Comments analysis of nearby shelters with similar Poison Basin, and Upper Ruby may be sent via email to: comments- amenities shows that the proposed fee is allotments (sheep grazing portions) in intermtn-bridger-teton-jackson@ reasonable and typical of similar sites in the Gravelly Mountain Range on the daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 307–739– the area. Funds from the fee would be Madison Ranger District of the 5010. used for the continued operation, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: maintenance, and improvements of this (B–D NF). Mary Moore, Jackson District Ranger, site. DATES: Comments concerning the scope marymoore@fs.fed.us or (307) 739–5410. DATES: Comments will be accepted by of the analysis must be received by Individuals who use telecommunication September 30, 2018 so comments can be October 15, 2018. The draft EIS is devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the compiled, analyzed, and shared with expected to be published March 2019 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Sep 13, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\14SEN1.SGM 14SEN1


Document Created: 2018-09-14 03:02:59
Document Modified: 2018-09-14 03:02:59
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice; request for comment.
DatesComments must be received in writing on or before November 13, 2018 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.
ContactJos[eacute] S[aacute]nchez, by phone at 951-680-1560. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
FR Citation83 FR 46700 
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