Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding: whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques and other forms of information technology.

Comments regarding this information collection received by November 27, 2026 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Forest Service

Title: Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Reporting Tool.

OMB Control Number: 0596-0215.

Summary of Collection: All Federal agencies and the entities receiving Federal financial assistance are prohibited from discriminating in the delivery of programs and services. Agencies must comply with equal opportunity laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Executive orders prohibiting discrimination in the delivery of all programs and services to the public. Federal agencies and entities receiving Federal Financial Assistance are prohibited from discriminating. Federal Financial Assistance is defined as, “Federal monies given by grants, cooperative agreements, commercial special use permits, training, loan/temporary assignment of Federal personnel, loan/use of Federal property at below market value.”

The equal opportunity laws require agencies to conduct compliance reviews to ensure that entities receiving Federal Financial Assistance from the government are adhering to the nondiscrimination statues. The statutes require that prior to awarding support or issuing permits, the Federal government shall conduct pre-award reviews to ensure that potential recipients understand their responsibilities to provide services equitable pursuant to the law. Thereafter, during the partnership with the agency, ongoing monitoring will take place to ensure the public is being served without any barriers or discrimination.

Need and Use of the Information: Forest Service employees will use FS-1700-6A, Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Record, to document shared non-discrimination obligations and collect information regarding actions taken by recipients of Federal financial assistance to ensure the public receives services without discrimination or barriers to access. Optional form B documents that recipients' employees understand their customer service role and optional form C is for customers' awareness of their rights of non-discrimination.

Collection form FS-1700-6A, Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Record, will occur during face-to-face meetings or telephone interviews conducted by a Forest Service employee as part of the pre-award and post-award process. The pre-award interview will take place prior to the signing of a cooperative agreement, domestic grant, commercial special use permit award or similar where a non-discrimination clause appears in the agreement. The post award interview will take place either on a five (5) or 10-year basis as instructed in Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 1709.11, Chapter 70 or upon report/discovery of discrimination.

Only general statistical information will be summarized and shared in the Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) annual report. However, if a report or discovery of a discrimination complaint is identified then it will be reported to the USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

Monitoring reviews have been a responsibility of the Federal government since 1964 and continue to be an obligatory activity as outlined in 28 Code of Federal Regulations 42.401-415 and 7 Code of Federal Regulation 15.5. Without the ability to monitor recipients of Federal financial assistance, the Forest Service would not be able to ensure compliance with the civil rights laws, statutes, and current Executive Orders (E.O.). The Agency would not be aware of potential discriminatory practices. Absence of this form leaves the American people and the public that we serve vulnerable to non-merit-based decisions and discrimination.

Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit Institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 11,625.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 52,313.

Forest Service

Title: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Financial Assistance to Facilities that Purchase and Process Byproducts for Ecosystem Restoration (CFDA 10.725) Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance (WPIA).

OMB Control Number: 0596-0254. ( printed page 67810)

Summary of Collection: USDA Forest Service is delivering the Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance (WPIA) as part of Section 40804(b)(3) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Public Law 117-58 (11/15/2021) which directs the USDA Forest Service to provide financial assistance to an entity seeking to establish, reopen, expand, or improve a sawmill or other wood processing facility in close proximity to a unit of federal or Indian land that has been identified as high or very high priority for ecological restoration. According to 2 CFR part 200 and Forest Service Handbook 1509.11, Chapter 20, there is certain narrative and budget information required for the Agency to determine if the project meets the legislative requirements and if the costs are reasonable, allocable, allowable, and necessary for the project. In particular, collection of information is necessary to ascertain if applicants seeking financial assistance do in fact operate facilities in close proximity to a unit of federal or Indian land that has been identified as high or very high priority for ecological restoration.

Need and Use of the Information: Eligible applicants are for-profit entities; state, local governments; Indian Tribes; school districts; community, not-for-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; and special purpose districts ( e.g., public utilities districts, fire districts, conservation districts, and ports).

Applications will be submitted to via email by the date and time as listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity at Grants.gov; searchable and identifiable by the catalog of domestic federal assistance (CFDA) number 10.725. The Forest Service State & Private Forestry will receive, review, and track all applications.

Description of Respondents: State, Local, Tribal governments.

Number of Respondents: 197.

Frequency of Responses: Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 1,034.