83 FR 54701 - Information Collection; Request for Comment; Whole Enchilada Trail: Conditions, User Experience & Comment Survey 2019
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 211 (October 31, 2018)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 211 (October 31, 2018)
| Page Range | 54701-54702 | |
| FR Document | 2018-23827 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 54701-54702] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-23827] ======================================================================== Notices Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Notices [[Page 54701]] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Information Collection; Request for Comment; Whole Enchilada Trail: Conditions, User Experience & Comment Survey 2019 AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice, request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the new information collection; Whole Enchilada Trail: Conditions, User Experience & Comment Survey 2019. DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before December 31, 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 Zachary Lowe, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 386, Moab, Utah 84532. Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 435-636-7737 or by email to: [email protected]. The public may inspect comments received at Moab Ranger District, 62 E 100 North, Moab, Utah 84532 during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 435-259-7155 to facilitate an appointment and entry to the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zachary Lowe: Natural Resource Specialist--Recreation. Moab Ranger District, 62 E 100 North, Moab, Utah 435-636-3335. Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: The Whole Enchilada Trail: Conditions, User Experience & Comment Survey 2019. OMB Number: 0596-New. Expiration Date of Approval: N/A. Type of Request: New. Abstract: The Moab Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, in southeastern Utah (Region 4) is looking to amend a 2013 Needs Assessment for Recreation Special Uses. In order to increase commercial use on the Whole Enchilada trail, the 2013 Needs Assessment requires the Moab Ranger District to conduct a recreational carrying capacity study, of which the Whole Enchilada: Conditions, User Experience & Comment Survey 2019, is an integral part of that study. Furthermore, the requested information collection will provide baseline data of use and public perception that will help with future management on this increasingly popular trail. The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-278 Sec. 3), et al., authorizes the collection. The Whole Enchilada is a multi-trail system that spans over 30 miles, descends more than 7000' in elevation, and traverses diverse ecosystems which are managed by two separate, yet cooperating governmental agencies--U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, and the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The popularity and subsequent use of this trail has dramatically increased on all sections of the trail. Thus, natural resource protection and maintaining positive user experiences needs to be, not only assessed, but become a priority management objective, especially for the Moab Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. The data will be collected via traditional paper survey to be conducted at certain trail heads and exit points along the Whole Enchilada trail system. The survey is designed to be completed on site. However, there will be a mail-in option available for those willing but unable to complete the survey on site. The survey consists of 5 pages with 20 questions. There will be tables and chairs set up at trailheads and exits to aid in survey completion. The surveys will be administered by the survey author, Zachary Lowe, by other USFS employees, and volunteers. The survey is scheduled to take place during the peak season of use on the trail system which is mid-September to mid-October of 2019. This survey is intended for use only in 2019 and not for subsequent years nor on any other trails on National Forest System (NFS) or BLM lands. The survey seeks public input, specifically trial users, about the Whole Enchilada trail on NFS lands. The 20 questions have several formats such as multiple choice, binary (yes/no), open-ended, and likert scales (i.e.,1-5 satisfaction scale). The survey is intended for any user of the group willing to take the survey. The targeted user groups include: Individuals, commercially-guided individuals, special use permittees (i.e., outfitters and guides, shuttle companies), non- governmental entities (i.e., trail work organizations, user-group organizations, and/or environmental groups), and other non-Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) affiliated individuals or groups (i.e., other stakeholders and partners). The survey asks for user type (hiker, biker, et al.), user experience levels (beginner, intermediate, et al.), user age and user sex. Access information--specific trailhead, mode of transport to trail heads, access road conditions, quantity of access--is also asked. Survey takers are asked to describe conditions of Forest Service trails and facilities as well as describe their experience and satisfaction on the Whole Enchilada. These questions ask users to rate the acceptability of the trail, facilities, overall use and management of trails, other user groups, user encounters and/or conflicts, perceptions of crowding. Several questions ask about acceptance of potential Forest Service actions to protect resources and provide the best user experience such as additional fees, increased Forest Service presence/patrols, increased trail work, restricted commercial use, increased commercial use, limitations on user type, and other use related issues. The data and information will be complied and analyzed by the author of the survey. All collected data will be run through different statistical analyses by the author and volunteer statisticians to acquire useful and beneficial information about the trail. This data will be used in and presented as part of a recreational carrying capacity study for the Whole Enchilada trail system. The survey will help gauge the public's perception of conditions of trails, facilities, usage and Forest Service [[Page 54702]] managerial actions. The data collected from the public, in concert with the carrying capacity study, will help determine future management objectives and actions related to the Whole Enchilada trail system. If the survey were not to occur, vital stakeholder information would be absent from the recreation carrying capacity study and would be incomplete for all intents and purposes. Without the survey, the subsequent carrying capacity study would be incomplete and lacking baseline data including public perceptions about use and conditions. The aforementioned 2013 Needs Assessment that requires the Manti-La Sal National Forest to conduct a carrying capacity study, and by proxy, a public survey, would be unmet and the Forest Service could not potentially increase commercial use on the Whole Enchilada trail system. This trail has seen increased use and popularity in the last decade and current management standards may be inadequate for natural resource protection and public demand/access to this trail system. Estimate of Annual Burden: Each survey will take anywhere from 15- 20 minutes to complete fully. Type of Respondents: Public individuals: Trail users (hikers, bikers, etc.), outfitter and guides (commercially using the trail), and local business owners (whom use the trail). Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,000 Maximum for one year in 2019. Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20,000 minutes. 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: October 18, 2018. Gregory C. Smith, Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2018-23827 Filed 10-30-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
![54702 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Notices
managerial actions. The data collected request for Office of Management and (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8
from the public, in concert with the Budget approval. a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday
carrying capacity study, will help Dated: October 18, 2018. through Friday. Additional project
determine future management objectives Gregory C. Smith,
information is available on the project
and actions related to the Whole page of the Payette National Forest
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National
Enchilada trail system. Forest System.
website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/
If the survey were not to occur, vital project/?project=54029.
[FR Doc. 2018–23827 Filed 10–30–18; 8:45 am]
stakeholder information would be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
absent from the recreation carrying Granite Meadows Project area totals
capacity study and would be incomplete approximately 83,000 acres, and
for all intents and purposes. Without the DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE includes approximately 70,000 acres of
survey, the subsequent carrying capacity National Forest System (NFS) lands
study would be incomplete and lacking Forest Service within the New Meadows and McCall
baseline data including public Ranger Districts on the Payette National
perceptions about use and conditions. Payette National Forest; Idaho; Granite Forest. Additionally, the project area
The aforementioned 2013 Needs Meadows Project includes approximately 7,000 acres of
Assessment that requires the Manti-La state land and 6,000 acres of private
Sal National Forest to conduct a AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
land, where proposed treatments would
carrying capacity study, and by proxy, ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an
be covered under the Wyden Authority
a public survey, would be unmet and environmental impact statement.
(Wyden Amendment, Section 323(A) of
the Forest Service could not potentially SUMMARY: The Payette National Forest the Department of Interior and Related
increase commercial use on the Whole will prepare an environmental impact Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 as
Enchilada trail system. This trail has statement (EIS) to document the included in Pub. L. 105–277, Div. A,
seen increased use and popularity in the potential effects of the Granite Meadows Section 101(e) as amended by Pub. L.
last decade and current management Project. The Granite Meadows Project is 111–11, Section 3001). Actions
standards may be inadequate for natural located north of New Meadows, Idaho proposed for use under the Wyden
resource protection and public demand/ and north and west of McCall, Idaho on Authority would meet the intent and
access to this trail system. the Boise Meridian, within Adams, requirements of state and federal laws
Estimate of Annual Burden: Each Valley and Idaho Counties. The analysis for actions on private and/or state lands.
survey will take anywhere from 15–20 will evaluate and disclose the effects of The project is located in the Hard Creek,
minutes to complete fully. implementing treatments on the Hartsell Creek-North Fork Payette River,
Type of Respondents: Public National Forest to meet the purpose and Elk Creek-Little Salmon River, Lower
individuals: Trail users (hikers, bikers, need for the project. Proposed Meadows Valley-Little Salmon River,
etc.), outfitter and guides (commercially treatments include timber harvest, Round Valley Creek-Little Salmon
using the trail), and local business thinning, prescribed fire, road River, Sixmile Creek-Little Salmon
owners (whom use the trail). treatments and road decommissioning, River, Box Creek-North Fork Payette
Estimated Annual Number of watershed improvement and restoration River, Fisher Creek, and Payette Lake
Respondents: 1,000 Maximum for one treatments, and recreation subwatersheds with the Little Salmon
year in 2019. improvements. Coordination with and North Fork of the Payette subbasins.
Estimated Annual Number of existing permittees on grazing schedules
Responses per Respondent: 1. Purpose and Need for Action
would also be included to meet the
Estimated Total Annual Burden on purpose and need related to fuels The Granite Meadows project is a
Respondents: 20,000 minutes. reduction. landscape-scale effort to improve
Comment is invited on: (1) Whether conditions across multiple resource
this collection of information is DATES: Comments concerning the scope areas. The need for the project is based
necessary for the stated purposes and of the analysis must be received by on the difference between the existing
the proper performance of the functions December 17, 2018. The draft EIS is and desired conditions. The desired
of the Agency, including whether the expected in late July 2019, and the final conditions for this project are based
information will have practical or EIS is expected in December 2019. upon the Payette Forest Plan (USDA
scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Forest Service 2003), and the Watershed
Agency’s estimate of the burden of the Keith Lannom, Forest Supervisor, 500 N Condition Framework (USDA Forest
collection of information, including the Mission Street, Building 2, McCall, Service 2011).
validity of the methodology and Idaho 83638. Comments may also be There is a need to increase the
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance sent via facsimile to 208–634–0744. diversity and resilience of the landscape
the quality, utility, and clarity of the Comments may also be submitted with an emphasis on promoting early
information to be collected; and (4) through the Granite Meadows Project seral and fire resistent species (e.g.,
ways to minimize the burden of the web page at http://www.fs.usda.gov/ ponderosa pine and western larch), and
collection of information on project/?project=54029. To submit improving watershed function and
respondents, including the use of comments using the web form select integrity. There is also a need to reduce
automated, electronic, mechanical, or ‘‘Comment/Object on Project’’ under the threat of unnaturally high wildfire
other technological collection ‘‘Get Connected’’ on the right panel of intensity, especially in areas adjacent to
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
techniques or other forms of information the project’s web page. communities. Additionally, there is a
technology. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin need to address the potential for user
All comments received in response to Phelps, New Meadows District Ranger, conflict and improve forest user safety,
this notice, including names and 208–347–0300, ephelps@fs.fed.us. and effectively manage areas
addresses when provided, will be a Individuals who use telecommunication experiencing detrimental impacts from
matter of public record. Comments will devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the dispersed or unauthorized recreation.
be summarized and included in the Federal Information Relay Service There is also a need for economic
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:06 Oct 30, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM 31OCN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_54912/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-10-31 00:33:14
Document Modified: 2018-10-31 00:33:14
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice, request for comment. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received in writing on or before December 31, 2018 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. | |
| Contact | Zachary Lowe: Natural Resource Specialist--Recreation. Moab Ranger District, 62 E 100 North, Moab, Utah 435-636-3335. Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 54701 |
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