Information Collection; Request for Comment; Operating Plans, 61706 [E6-17406]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 202 (Thursday, October 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 61706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17406]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 202 / Thursday, October 19, 2006 / 
Notices

[[Page 61706]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Request for Comment; Operating Plans

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 the extension of a currently approved information 
collection for Operating Plans.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before December 18, 
2006 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 
Lathrop Smith, Forest Management, Mail Stop 1103, Forest Service, USDA, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1103.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (202) 205-1045 or 
by e-mail to: ContractPlans@fs.fed.us.
    The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the 
Director, Forest Management Staff, Forest Service, USDA, Room 3NW, 
Yates Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC, during 
normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (202) 
205-1496 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lathrop Smith, Forest Management, 202-
205-0858. 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: Operating Plans.
    OMB Number: 0596-0086.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2007.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The National Forest Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 472a(14)(c) 
(Act) requires timber sale operating plans on timber sales that exceed 
2 years in length. Operating plans are collected within 60 days of 
award of a timber sale contract and annually thereafter until contract 
is complete. Contracts less than 2 years in length only require an 
annual plan. Each FS-2400-3P, FS-2400-3S, FS-2400-3T, FS-2400-6, FS-
2400-6T, timber sale contract, and FS-2400-13 and FS-2400-13T 
Integrated Resource contract lists the information requirements for the 
subject contract. The information collection under each contract varies 
depending on the size, scope and length of the contract but generally 
includes descriptions showing planned periods for and methods of road 
maintenance and road construction, timber harvesting, stewardship work 
(Integrated Resource Contracts only), slash disposal, and erosion 
control measures. Plans may also be required to address measures 
contractors will use to protect public safety in work areas, prevent 
and control fires, and prevent and control spills of petroleum 
products.
    Contracting Officers collect this information from contractors. 
There is no prescribed format for the collection of this information, 
which may be submitted in the form of charts or letters.
    The information is needed by the agency for a variety of uses 
associated with the administration of Timber Sale and Integrated 
Resource contracts including: (1) To plan and schedule contract 
administration workloads, (2) to plan and schedule the delivery of 
government furnished materials needed by contractors, (3) to assure 
public safety in the vicinity of contract work, (4) to identify 
contractor resources that may be used in emergency fire fighting 
situations, and (5) to determine contractor eligibility for additional 
contract time.
    Without accurate plans showing when and how a contractor intends to 
operate, the Forest Service will be hindered in fulfilling its 
contractual obligations to cooperate with and not hinder the 
performance of the contractor. Such delays can lead to disputes, claims 
and possible default, as well as other problems. The Forest Service 
needs this information to help determine if a contractor is eligible 
for additional contract time (if needed).
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1.6 hours per response.
    Type of Respondents: Contractors of Timber Sale and/or Integrated 
Resource contracts.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2,500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.8.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,200 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 request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: October 9, 2006.
Frederick Norbury,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. E6-17406 Filed 10-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P