Information Collection; Request for Comments; Special Use Administration

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 69 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17608-17611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9044]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comments; Special Use 
Administration

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Forest Service announces its intent to request an extension of a 
currently approved information collection for the administration of 
special uses on National Forest System lands. The information helps the 
Forest Service ensure that the authorized use of Federal land is in the 
public interest and compatible with the mission of the agency. 
Respondents will include individuals, groups, organizations, 
businesses, corporations, and Federal, State, and local governments.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 11, 1999.

ADDRESSES: All comments should be addressed to: Director, Lands Staff 
(mail stop 1124), Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, 
D.C. 20090-6090 or email mscheibe/wo@fs.fed.us.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Scheibel, Lands Staff, at (202) 
205-1264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The forms described in this request for extension of an information 
collection are used by the agency to issue and administer special use 
permits to use or occupy National Forest System lands. The data 
collected will be evaluated by the Forest Service to ensure that the 
authorized use of Federal land is in the public interest and is 
compatible with the mission of the agency. The data will help identify 
environmental and social impacts of special uses and will ascertain 
whether the agency is receiving a fair market

[[Page 17609]]

rental fee for the use of National Forest System lands. The data will 
be collected through application forms and stipulations in operating 
plans and special-use authorizations. There are four general categories 
of information requests: (1) initial and amended application process; 
(2) annual financial information; (3) preparing and updating operation 
and maintenance plans; and (4) compliance reports and information 
updates.

Application Process

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: SF-299, Application for Transportation and Utility Systems 
and Facilities on Federal Lands.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized Forest Service officer to evaluate the applicant's technical 
capability and financial resources, the applicant's proposed 
operations, and the anticipated environmental impacts. This form is 
used by applicants requesting use of National Forest System lands for 
nonrecreational use.
    Estimate of Burden: 8 hours.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, and 
Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 1,500.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 12,000 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: FS-2700-3a, Request for Termination of and Application for 
Special Use Permit.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized Forest Service officer to facilitate issuance of a new 
authorization when private improvements authorized on National Forest 
System lands change ownership.
    Estimate of Burden: 0.5 hours.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, and corporations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 500 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: FS-2700-3b, Special Use Application and Permit for 
Noncommercial Group Use.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized Forest Service officer to evaluate requests, such as group 
gatherings from noncommercial groups, to use National Forest System 
lands. These requests usually involve First Amendment rights that 
require a short, specific time frame (48 hours) for the agency to 
approve or deny the request.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, groups, organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 2,400.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,400 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: FS-2700-3c, Special Use Application and Permit for 
Recreation Events.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized Forest Service officer to evaluate requests for National 
Forest System lands for recreational events.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, groups, organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 2,000.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,000 hours.

Annual Financial Information

    Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the 
Independent Offices Appropriation Act of 1952, and the Office of 
Management and Budget Circular A-25 require the Forest Service to 
collect rental fees that reflect fair market value for the use of 
National Forest System lands. Special use authorizations may contain 
specific terms and conditions requiring the holder to provide the 
authorized officer with the information necessary to calculate fair 
market value rental fees. Procedures for how the information is 
provided and when it is required are contained in the authorization 
terms and conditions. Information requests for financial information 
are provided to the authorized officer in a variety of ways. Several 
examples include gross revenues, value of capitol improvements, number 
of trips or customers served, or a listing of occupants in a 
communications site building.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: FS-2700-7, Reconciliation of Sales for Fee Calculation.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized Forest Service officer to determine the annual rental fee 
due the Federal government for use of National Forest System lands.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 275.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 275 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: FS-2700-8, Reconciliation of Gross Fixed Assets (GFA) to 
Booked Amounts.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized Forest Service officer to determine the annual rental fee 
due the Federal Government for use of National Forest

[[Page 17610]]

System lands based on the gross fixed assets of the entity holding the 
permit.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 275.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 275 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: FS-2700-19, Fee Calculation for Concession Permits.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized Forest Service officer to determine the annual rental fee 
due the Federal Government for concession permits.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 275.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 275 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: FS-2700-19a, USDA Forest Service Fee Calculation For Ski 
Area Permits.
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information provided on this form is used by the 
authorized Forest Service officer to determine the annual rental fee 
due the Federal Government for ski area permits.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 100.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 100 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: Business Practices (No specific agency form).
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information is provided to the Forest Service by the 
holder of the authorization when requested by the authorized Forest 
Service officer or as a term and condition of the authorization. There 
is no specific form involved. The information that is collected is 
usually maintained in a form that is customary for the type of 
business.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 1,675.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.5.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 2,513 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: Preparing and Updating Operation and Maintenance Plans (No 
specific agency form).
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Special use authorizations may contain a clause requiring 
the holder of the special-use authorization to prepare or update an 
operation and maintenance plan, when the authorized Forest Service 
officer determines that the day-to-day operations of the authorized use 
needs to be specified. This information is useful to the holder of the 
special-use authorization and to the Forest Service, because it 
outlines procedures and policies used while the holder conducts 
operations or business on National Forest System lands. Typically, 
operation and maintenance plans include daily operating guidelines, 
fire abatement and control procedures, monitoring guidelines, 
maintenance standards, safety and emergency plans, and inspection 
standards and frequencies. Operation and maintenance plans are not 
required for all special use authorizations, but are usually necessary 
for complex operations, commercial uses, and situations involving 
sensitive environmental areas.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations, Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 35,000.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 35,000 hours.

Description of Information Collection

    The following describes the information collection to be extended:
    Title: Compliance Reports and Information Updates (No specific 
agency form).
    OMB Number: 0596-0082.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Special use authorizations may contain specific terms and 
conditions requiring the holder to provide the authorized Forest 
Service officer with compliance reports, information reports, and other 
information required by Federal law or required to properly manage 
National Forest System lands to ensure adequate protection of forest 
resources and public health and safety. Examples of compliance and 
information requests include dam maintenance inspection reports and 
logs required by the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978, the 
Federal Dam Safety Inspection Act of 1979, and the Dam Safety Act of 
1983; documentation that authorized facilities passed safety 
inspections; documentation showing that the United States is covered in 
an insurance policy; notifications involving changes in corporation or 
partnership status; and documentation of compliance with 
nondiscrimination in Federally assisted programs as required by Title 
VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of respondents: Individuals, businesses, corporations, groups, 
and organizations, Federal, State, and local governments.
    Estimated number of respondents: 13,500.
    Estimated number of responses per respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 13,500 hours.

Comments Are Invited

    The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of this 
agency's estimate of the burden of the

[[Page 17611]]

proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

Use of Comments

    All comments received in response to this notice, including name 
and address when provided, will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 5, 1999.
Robert Lewis, Jr.,
Acting Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 99-9044 Filed 4-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P