Information Collection; Request for Comments; Social Dimensions of Fuel Reduction Treatments in Southern Appalachian Forests, 8337-8338 [05-3121]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 33 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8337-8338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3121]


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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 33 / Friday, February 18, 2005 / 
Notices

[[Page 8337]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comments; Social Dimensions 
of Fuel Reduction Treatments in Southern Appalachian Forests

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 a new information collection, Social Dimensions of 
Fuel Reduction Treatments in Southern Appalachian Forests.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before April 19, 2005 
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 
Robert D. Bixler, Associate Professor, Department of Parks, Recreation 
and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0735.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (864) 656-2226 or 
by e-mail to: twaldrop@fs.fed.us.
    The public may inspect comments received at 263 Lehotsky Hall, 
Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, during normal business 
hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (864) 656-3400 to 
facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert D. Bixler, Associate Professor, 
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, (864) 656-4849. 
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: Social Dimensions of Fuel Reduction Treatments in Southern 
Appalachian Forests.
    OMB Number: 0596-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: New.
    Type of Request: New.
    Abstract: The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act 
of 1978, as amended, authorizes the Forest Service to collect 
information to help identify the range of knowledge, attitudes and 
values interested publics hold toward fuel-load reduction and resulting 
aesthetic and ecological changes. Fuel loads in the forests of the 
southern Appalachian Mountains pose significant risk of wildfire. 
Additionally in the last 20 years, numerous questions have been raised 
about the ecologically- and historically-appropriate vegetation 
patterns that should be present in these forests. Along with ecological 
research on the effects of silvicultural treatments to reduce fuel 
loads and restore historic vegetation patterns, there is a need to 
understand and describe how interested publics will evaluate these 
changes in forest ecology, should they occur. Forest resource managers 
need to consider human interests along with ecological concerns.
    Data for this study will be collected through mail-back 
questionnaires. Faculty within the Department of Parks, Recreation and 
Tourism at Clemson University will supervise all steps of the study. 
The mail-back questionnaire will contain measures of perceptions of 
photographic images of areas burned as part of prescribed fires and 
mechanical thinning. Additional written questions will measure 
participation rates in different wildland recreation activities, 
perceptions of land management agencies, and desirability of a variety 
of ecological changes expected from fuel load reduction, knowledge of 
fuel reduction techniques, and knowledge of historic vegetation 
patterns of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Routine demographic 
data will also be collected.
    The sample will be a purposive sample, designed to maximize the 
variety of interested publics who respond. A mailing will be made to 
residents of counties in North Carolina and Virginia where at least 35 
percent of the area in the counties is USDA Forest Service land. 
Additional samples will be collected in forest recreation areas to 
include a variety of recreationists.
    The results will consist of groupings of respondents based on 
differing perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge about prescribed fire. 
Cluster analysis will be conducted by the faculty at Clemson University 
who designed the study. The results will provide forest scientists and 
land managers information about what values and concerns are present 
among interested publics. These findings will help managers identify 
issues that require education and communication and topics related to 
the social values of forests affected by prescribed fire that will 
require additional in-depth research. Without this initial study in the 
southern Appalachian Mountains, managers will be less likely to 
accommodate social needs related to these forests and more likely to 
mis-communicate with interested publics.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 30 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Landowners near USDA Forest Service land 
within the Southern Appalachian Mountains and wildland recreationists 
using these same areas.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 400.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 200 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

[[Page 8338]]

submission request toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: February 8, 2005.
Bov B. Eav,
Associate Deputy Chief for Research & Development.
[FR Doc. 05-3121 Filed 2-17-05; 8:45 am]
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