Information Collection; National Woodland Owner Survey, 15123-15124 [E8-5710]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 56 / Friday, March 21, 2008 / Notices
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. 2011,
et seq., and the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2008, the
Department makes commodities and
administrative funds available to States
for use in providing nutrition assistance
to those in need through TEFAP. In
accordance with 7 CFR 251.3(h), 60
percent of each State’s share of TEFAP
commodities and administrative funds
is based on the number of people with
incomes below the poverty level within
the State and 40 percent on the number
of unemployed persons within the State.
State officials are responsible for
establishing the network through which
the commodities will be used by eligible
recipient agencies (ERAs) in providing
nutrition assistance to those in need,
and for allocating commodities and
administrative funds among those
agencies. States have full discretion in
determining the amount of commodities
that will be made available to ERAs for
use in preparing meals and/or for
distribution to households for home
consumption.
The types of commodities the
Department expects to make available to
States for distribution through TEFAP in
FY 2008 are described below.
Surplus Commodities
Surplus commodities donated for
distribution under TEFAP are
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)
commodities purchased under the
authority of section 416 of the
Agricultural Act of 1949, 7 U.S.C. 1431
(section 416) and commodities
purchased under the surplus removal
authority of section 32 of the Act of
August 24, 1935, 7 U.S.C. 612c (section
32). The types of commodities typically
purchased under section 416 include
dairy, grains, oils, and peanut products.
The types of commodities purchased
under section 32 include meat, poultry,
fish, vegetables, dry beans, juices, and
fruits.
In FY 2008, the Department
anticipates that there will be sufficient
quantities of cherry products, grapefruit
juice, tomatoes, green beans, carrots,
peas, spinach, canned beef stew, canned
beef, and canned pork to support the
distribution of these commodities
through TEFAP. Other surplus
commodities may be made available to
TEFAP throughout the year. The
Department would like to point out that
commodity acquisitions are based on
changing agricultural market conditions;
therefore, the availability of
commodities is subject to change.
Approximately $16.9 million in
surplus commodities acquired in FY
2007 are being delivered to States in FY
2008. These commodities include
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:33 Mar 20, 2008
Jkt 214001
canned chicken, peanut butter, instant
milk, apple juice, applesauce, apricots,
frozen asparagus, canned asparagus,
cherry apple juice, lamb leg roast, lamb
shoulder chops.
15123
Dated: March 13, 2008.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E8–5760 Filed 3–20–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
Purchased Commodities
In accordance with section 27 of the
Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. 2036,
and the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2008, the Secretary is directed to
purchase annually, through FY 2008,
$140 million worth of commodities for
distribution through TEFAP. These
commodities are made available to
States in addition to those surplus
commodities which otherwise might be
provided to States for distribution under
TEFAP. However, the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2008, permits
States to convert any or their entire fair
share of $10 million of these funds to
administrative funds to pay costs
associated with the distribution of
TEFAP commodities at the State and
local level.
For FY 2008, the Department
anticipates purchasing the following
commodities for distribution through
TEFAP: dehydrated potatoes, frozen
ground beef, frozen whole and cut-up
chicken, frozen ham, frozen turkey
roast, blackeye beans, great northern
beans, light kidney beans, light red
kidney beans, lima beans, pinto beans,
egg mix, lowfat bakery mix, egg noodles,
white and yellow corn grits, macaroni,
oats, peanut butter, whole grain rotini,
roasted peanuts, rice, spaghetti,
vegetable oil, bran flakes, corn flakes,
oat cereal, rice cereal, corn cereal, and
corn and rice cereal; and the following
canned items: green beans, blackeye
beans, refried beans, vegetarian beans,
carrots, cream corn, whole kernel corn,
peas, sliced potatoes, pumpkin,
spaghetti sauce, spinach, sweet
potatoes, tomatoes, diced tomatoes,
tomato sauce, mixed vegetables, low salt
tomato soup, apple juice, cherry apple
juice, cranapple juice, grape juice,
grapefruit juice, orange juice, tomato
juice, apricots, applesauce, mixed fruit,
peaches, pears, plums, beef, beef stew,
chicken, pork, tuna, and turkey.
The amounts of each item purchased
will depend on the prices the
Department must pay, as well as the
quantity of each item requested by the
States. Changes in agricultural market
conditions may result in the availability
of additional types of commodities or
the non-availability of one or more types
listed above.
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; National
Woodland Owner Survey
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice; request for comment.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments
from all interested individuals and
organizations on the reinstated
information collection, National
Woodland Owner Survey.
DATES: Comments must be received in
writing on or before May 20, 2008 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 Brett
Butler, USDA Forest Service, 160
Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA 01003.
Comments also may be submitted via
facsimile to (413) 545–1860 or by e-mail
to bbutler01@fs.fed.us.
The public may inspect comments
received at 160 Holdsworth Way, Room
303, Amherst, MA 01003 during normal
business hours. Visitors are encouraged
to call ahead to (413) 545–1387 to
facilitate entry to the building.
Additional comments can be viewed at
www.fia.fs.fed.us/nwos.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brett Butler, Northern Research Station,
(413) 545–1387. 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: National Woodland Owner
Survey.
OMB Number: 0596–0078
(reinstatement).
Type of Request: Reinstatement.
Abstract: The Forest Service’s Forest
Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program
conducts the National Woodland Owner
Survey (NWOS) to increase our
understanding of:
• Who owns the forests of the United
States;
• Why they own it;
• How they have used it; and
• How they intend to use it.
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21MRN1
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
15124
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 56 / Friday, March 21, 2008 / Notices
This information is used by policy
analysts, foresters, educators, and
researchers to facilitate the planning
and implementation of forest policies
and programs.
The Forest Service’s direction and
authority to conduct the NWOS is from
the Forest and Range Land Renewable
Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the
Forest and Range Land Renewable
Resources Act of 1978. These acts assign
responsibility for the inventory and
assessment of forest and related
renewable resources to the Forest
Service. Additionally, the importance of
an ownership survey in this inventory
and assessment process is highlighted in
Section 253(c) of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education
Reform Act of 1998 and the
recommendations of the Second Blue
Ribbon Panel on the Forest Inventory
and Analysis Program.
Previous iterations of the NWOS were
conducted in 1978, 1993, and 2002–
2006. Approval for the last iteration of
the NWOS expired on December 31,
2006. Between 2002 and 2006, the
NWOS was implemented on an annual
basis to provide more robust and current
information and to conform with the
overall FIA sampling protocols. As
planned, approval for the information
collection was allowed to lapse after
2006, to permit a full assessment of the
program that has now been completed.
If reinstated, the NWOS will operate for
another 5-year cycle, with federal
approval being sought as necessary to
cover the full survey cycle, before the
next full reassessment occurs.
Information will be collected related to:
• The characteristics of the owners’
landholdings;
• Ownership objectives;
• Forest use and management;
• Owners’ concerns;
• Future uses of the forest land; and
• Landowner demographics.
The NWOS provides widely cited
benchmarks for the number, extent, and
characteristics of private forest land
owners of the United States. These
results have been used to assess the
sustainability of forest resources at
national, regional, and state levels; to
implement and assess forest land owner
assistance programs; and to answer a
variety of questions with topics ranging
from fragmentation to the economics of
private timber production.
The respondents will be a statistically
selected group of individuals, families,
American Indian tribes, partnerships,
corporations, nonprofit organizations,
and other private groups that own forest
land in the United States. Public records
will be used to collect names and
addresses for a systematic set of points
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:33 Mar 20, 2008
Jkt 214001
identified as forest land. The number of
forest-land owners to be contacted in
each state will be determined by the
number of private forest-land owners
and the sampling intensity.
The NWOS will utilize a mixed-mode
survey technique involving a selfadministered mail questionnaire and
telephone interviews. First, a pre-notice
letter or postcard will be sent to all
potential respondents describing this
information collection and explaining
why the information is being collected.
Second, a questionnaire with a cover
letter and pre-paid return envelope will
be mailed to the potential respondents.
The cover letter will reiterate the
purpose of this information collection
and provide the respondents with all
legally required information. Third, a
reminder will be mailed to thank the
respondents and encourage the nonrespondents to respond. Those who
have yet to respond will be sent a new
questionnaire, cover letter, and pre-paid
return envelope. Telephone interviews
will be used for follow-up with nonrespondents.
FIA personnel will administer the
mail portion of this information
collection. The telephone follow-ups
will be conducted by the National
Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Data will be
compiled and edited by FIA personnel.
FIA personnel will analyze the
collected data. National, regional, and
state-level results will be distributed
through print and/or electronic media.
This information collection will
generate scientifically based, up-to-date
information about private forest-land
owners in the United States. The results
of these efforts will provide more
reliable information on this important
and dynamic segment of the United
States population, thus facilitating more
complete assessments of the country’s
forest resources, and improved planning
and implementation of forestry
programs.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 20
minutes.
Type of Respondents: Individuals,
families, American Indian Tribes,
partnerships, corporations, nonprofit
organizations, and other private groups
that own forest land.
Estimated Annual Number of
Respondents: 7,500.
Estimated Annual Number of
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 2,500 hours.
Comment Is Invited
Comment is invited on: (1) Whether
this collection of information is
necessary for the stated purposes and
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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
submission request toward Office of
Management and Budget approval.
Dated: March 14, 2008.
David A. Cleaves,
Associate Deputy Chief, Research &
Development.
[FR Doc. E8–5710 Filed 3–20–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Black Hills National Forest, Bearlodge
Ranger District, WY and Northern Hills
Ranger District, SD, North Zone Range
08 Analysis
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement;
cancellation.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: On November 5, 2007, the
Federal Register published a Notice of
Intent (NOI) to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the North Zone Range 08 Analysis
on the Black Hills National Forest (72
FR 62428–62429). The responsible
officials for this analysis have decided
that the preparation of an
Environmental Impact Statement is not
warranted for this project. An
Environmental Assessment will be
prepared for the North Zone Range 08
analysis. The responsible officials will
document their rationale in a Finding of
No Significant Impact (FONSI) to be
subsequently prepared. The FONSI will
accompany the Decision Notice for this
project. The Notice of Intent is hereby
cancelled.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alice Allen, Environmental
Coordinator, TEAMS Enterprise, Forest
E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM
21MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 56 (Friday, March 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15123-15124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5710]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; National Woodland Owner Survey
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 reinstated information collection, National
Woodland Owner Survey.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before May 20, 2008
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 Brett
Butler, USDA Forest Service, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA 01003.
Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (413) 545-1860 or
by e-mail to bbutler01@fs.fed.us.
The public may inspect comments received at 160 Holdsworth Way,
Room 303, Amherst, MA 01003 during normal business hours. Visitors are
encouraged to call ahead to (413) 545-1387 to facilitate entry to the
building. Additional comments can be viewed at www.fia.fs.fed.us/nwos.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Butler, Northern Research
Station, (413) 545-1387. 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: National Woodland Owner Survey.
OMB Number: 0596-0078 (reinstatement).
Type of Request: Reinstatement.
Abstract: The Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA)
program conducts the National Woodland Owner Survey (NWOS) to increase
our understanding of:
Who owns the forests of the United States;
Why they own it;
How they have used it; and
How they intend to use it.
[[Page 15124]]
This information is used by policy analysts, foresters, educators, and
researchers to facilitate the planning and implementation of forest
policies and programs.
The Forest Service's direction and authority to conduct the NWOS is
from the Forest and Range Land Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974
and the Forest and Range Land Renewable Resources Act of 1978. These
acts assign responsibility for the inventory and assessment of forest
and related renewable resources to the Forest Service. Additionally,
the importance of an ownership survey in this inventory and assessment
process is highlighted in Section 253(c) of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 and the recommendations of
the Second Blue Ribbon Panel on the Forest Inventory and Analysis
Program.
Previous iterations of the NWOS were conducted in 1978, 1993, and
2002-2006. Approval for the last iteration of the NWOS expired on
December 31, 2006. Between 2002 and 2006, the NWOS was implemented on
an annual basis to provide more robust and current information and to
conform with the overall FIA sampling protocols. As planned, approval
for the information collection was allowed to lapse after 2006, to
permit a full assessment of the program that has now been completed. If
reinstated, the NWOS will operate for another 5-year cycle, with
federal approval being sought as necessary to cover the full survey
cycle, before the next full reassessment occurs. Information will be
collected related to:
The characteristics of the owners' landholdings;
Ownership objectives;
Forest use and management;
Owners' concerns;
Future uses of the forest land; and
Landowner demographics.
The NWOS provides widely cited benchmarks for the number, extent,
and characteristics of private forest land owners of the United States.
These results have been used to assess the sustainability of forest
resources at national, regional, and state levels; to implement and
assess forest land owner assistance programs; and to answer a variety
of questions with topics ranging from fragmentation to the economics of
private timber production.
The respondents will be a statistically selected group of
individuals, families, American Indian tribes, partnerships,
corporations, nonprofit organizations, and other private groups that
own forest land in the United States. Public records will be used to
collect names and addresses for a systematic set of points identified
as forest land. The number of forest-land owners to be contacted in
each state will be determined by the number of private forest-land
owners and the sampling intensity.
The NWOS will utilize a mixed-mode survey technique involving a
self-administered mail questionnaire and telephone interviews. First, a
pre-notice letter or postcard will be sent to all potential respondents
describing this information collection and explaining why the
information is being collected. Second, a questionnaire with a cover
letter and pre-paid return envelope will be mailed to the potential
respondents. The cover letter will reiterate the purpose of this
information collection and provide the respondents with all legally
required information. Third, a reminder will be mailed to thank the
respondents and encourage the non-respondents to respond. Those who
have yet to respond will be sent a new questionnaire, cover letter, and
pre-paid return envelope. Telephone interviews will be used for follow-
up with non-respondents.
FIA personnel will administer the mail portion of this information
collection. The telephone follow-ups will be conducted by the National
Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Data
will be compiled and edited by FIA personnel.
FIA personnel will analyze the collected data. National, regional,
and state-level results will be distributed through print and/or
electronic media.
This information collection will generate scientifically based, up-
to-date information about private forest-land owners in the United
States. The results of these efforts will provide more reliable
information on this important and dynamic segment of the United States
population, thus facilitating more complete assessments of the
country's forest resources, and improved planning and implementation of
forestry programs.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 20 minutes.
Type of Respondents: Individuals, families, American Indian Tribes,
partnerships, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and other private
groups that own forest land.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 7,500.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,500 hours.
Comment Is Invited
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 submission request
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.
Dated: March 14, 2008.
David A. Cleaves,
Associate Deputy Chief, Research & Development.
[FR Doc. E8-5710 Filed 3-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
