Information Collection: Assessing Technology Transfer Activities of the National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, & Genetics Resources, 64110-64111 [2020-22396]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
64110
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 197 / Friday, October 9, 2020 / Notices
Corps of Engineers (USACE) will decide
whether to issue a Clean Water Act,
Section 404 individual Department of
Army permit for placement of fill or
dredge material in waters of the United
States based on USACE’s determination
of compliance with the Environmental
Protection Agency’s 404(b)(1)
Guidelines (40 CFR 230), including
selection of the least environmentally
damaging practicable alternative and the
public interest review finding at 33 CFR
320.4(a).
Scoping Process
This Notice of Intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the SEIS through
internal and external input on the
issues, impacts, and alternatives to
consider. The Forest Service will invite
the public to participate in virtual
scoping meetings in Angoon, Hoonah,
and Juneau, Alaska. These meetings will
be posted on the Forest’s website at
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/
?project=57306 and will be advertised
in the Juneau Empire and in the
Ketchikan Daily News, the newspaper of
record, to announce the date, time,
place and purpose of the public scoping
meetings.
Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR
218, subparts A and B, regarding the
project-level predecisional
administrative review process, apply to
projects and activities implementing
land management plans that are not
authorized under the Healthy Forest
Restoration Act. Only individuals or
entities who submit timely and specific
written comments concerning the
project during this or another
designated public comment period
established by the Responsible Offical
will be eligible to file on objection. It is
important that reviewers provide their
comments at such times and in such
manner that they are useful to the
agency’s preparation of the SEIS.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions.
Comments received in response to
this solicitation, including names and
addresses of those who comment, will
be part of the public record for this
proposed action. Comments submitted
anonymously will be accepted and
considered, however, anonymous
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:26 Oct 08, 2020
Jkt 253001
commenters will not gain standing to
object as defined in 36 CFR 218.2.
Allen Rowley,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest
System.
[FR Doc. 2020–22440 Filed 10–8–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection: Assessing
Technology Transfer Activities of the
National Center for Reforestation,
Nurseries, & Genetics Resources
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to conduct
assessment of technology transfer
activities by the National Center for
Reforestation, Nursery, and Genetic
Resources.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments
from all interested individuals and
organizations on the new information
collection, Assessing Technology
Transfer Activities of the National
Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, &
Genetics Resources. The United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA),
United States Forest Service (Forest
Service), National Center for
Reforestation, Nursery, and Genetic
Resources (RNGR) supports the
production of native plant materials for
reforestation and restoration activities
throughout the Nation and its insular
areas. RNGR transfers important,
science-based information to the
managers of Federal, State, Tribal, other
government entities, and private
nurseries and farms.
DATES: Comments must be received in
writing on or before December 8, 2020
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 Kasten
Dumroese, USDA Forest Service, Rocky
Mountain Research Station, 1221 South
Main Street, Moscow, ID 83843.
Comments also may be submitted via
facsimile to 208–883–2318 or by email
to: kas.dumroese@usda.gov.
The public may inspect comments
received at 1221 South Main Street,
Moscow, ID 83843 during normal
business hours. Visitors are encouraged
to call ahead to 208–882–3557 to
facilitate entry to the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kasten Dumroese, USDA Forest Service,
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Rocky Mountain Research Station,
kas.dumroese@usda.gov or 208–883–
2324. 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: Assessing Technology Transfer
Activities of the National Center for
Reforestation, Nurseries, & Genetics
Resources.
OMB Number: 0596–NEW.
Type of Request: NEW.
Abstract:
Purpose and Need for Action
The Social and Economic Sciences
Research Center (SESRC) at Washington
State University will collaborate with
RNGR to assess the current and future
needs for information technology and
services via a survey of nurseries and
farms that produce native plant
materials for reforestation and
restoration throughout the U.S. This
assessment will help RNGR better
understand how these managers are
using RNGR’s current products and if
information can be shared more
effectively and efficiently through new
tools and techniques.
The United States Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, National
Center for Reforestation, Nursery, and
Genetic Resources (RNGR) supports the
production of native plant materials for
reforestation and restoration activities
throughout the Nation and its insular
areas. RNGR transfers important,
science-based information through onsite visits, regional meetings, webinars,
website, books, and newsletters to the
managers of Federal, State, Tribal, other
government entities, and private
nurseries and farms that produce native
plant materials for reforestation and
restoration.
Because of the rapid changes in
technology and the ways
communication now occurs, RNGR
seeks to better understand how these
managers are using RNGR’s current
products and if information can be
shared more effectively and efficiently
through new tools and techniques. In
addition, RNGR desires to focus
technology transfer on issues pertinent
to the managers’ emerging needs.
The Washington State University,
Social and Economic Sciences Research
Center will design a survey and collect
information through a mail and web
survey of the approximately 1,200
managers of Federal, State, Tribal, other
government entities, and private
nurseries and farms that produce native
plant materials for reforestation and
E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM
09OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 197 / Friday, October 9, 2020 / Notices
restoration. Information collected will
include the name and address of the
nursery, whether it is primarily for
reforestation or restoration, what current
RNGR products and tools the managers
use and how effective are those
products and tools, and what new
technologies and approaches to
transferring information might better
serve managers. The Social and
Economic Sciences Research Center will
ensure survey validity and analyze and
synthesize the information so that
RNGR can implement the findings.
If the survey is not completed, RNGR
may continue to use less effective and
efficient methods to share science-based
information with the managers Federal,
State, Tribal, other government entities,
and private nurseries and farms that
produce native plant materials for
reforestation and restoration. The goal of
this survey is to implement more costeffective methods of technology transfer
delivered to managers in the best format
for them.
Proposed Action
The assessment will utilize survey
methods. Survey data will be collected
using two modes: (1) electronic (via
web) and (2) mail delivered paper
questionnaire. All 1,200 users of RNGR
resources will be contacted with the
following protocols:
• The first mailing will be mailed
using first class postage and will
include a letter of invitation to complete
the survey online with URL, access
code;
• Email reminders to participants
(those with email addresses) will be sent
approximately one week after the
invitation letter. Multiple email
reminders may be sent (3 days in
between email waves). Email messages
will be sent to one respondent at a time
to minimize spam filter effect. Email
messages will come from an@wsu.edu
email address, which will be ‘‘white
listed;’’
• The questionnaire is approximately
8 pages, printed on 2 sheets of 11x17
paper folded in half. A unique ID
(access code) will be printed on the
questionnaire for tracking purpose.
There will be 2 separate questionnaires
for the (1) user and (2) non-user groups;
• Questionnaires will be mailed in
6x9 envelopes with first class postage
and will include a personalized letter
(containing a URL and access code for
online option) and a business reply
return envelope and personalized letter;
• Reminder/thank you post cards or
letters will be mailed 7 to 10 days after
the questionnaire mailing; and
• In addition, we will also attempt to
contact organizations in the lists via
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:26 Oct 08, 2020
Jkt 253001
telephone to identify the appropriate
individuals to contact with regards to
the survey. The phone attempts will be
conducted after mailing of the paper
questionnaire and will reach out to the
remaining non-respondents. These
phone attempts will serve as an
additional reminder to complete the
survey.
Follow-Up Semi-Structured Interview
For those who did not respond to the
survey, especially those in the non-user
group, we will conduct a follow up
semi-structured interview via phone
with audio recording. The interview
will serve two main purposes (1) to
determine the reason for not responding
to the survey, and (2) to gather more indepth information about unmet needs or
reasons for not using RNGR support
services that may or may not be
addressed in the quantitative survey.
For those who responded to the
survey, some of the responses may
warrant further investigation, such as
new ideas or issues that were not
included in the survey questions. Each
interview will take approximately 30 to
45 minutes to complete and will be
conducted after the survey data
collection period is concluded. Data
collected via the above methods will be
summarized and analyzed in a technical
report. The information will be used to
refine the strategic plan for RNGR.
Responsible Official
The responsible official will be Kasten
Dumroese, USDA Forest Service, Rocky
Mountain Research Station, 1221 South
Main Street, Moscow, ID 83843.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Given the purpose and need, the
responsible official will determine
whether the proposed actions comply
with all applicable laws governing
Forest Service actions and whether the
proposed action meets the purpose and
need for action. With this information,
the responsible official must decide
whether to select the proposed action or
one of any other potential alternatives
that may be developed, and what, if any,
additional actions should be required.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the assessment
questionnaire and survey protocols.
Public comments regarding this
proposal are requested in order to assist
in identifying issues and opportunities
associated with the information
collection protocols.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether
this collection of information is
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
64111
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.
Affected Public: Managers of Federal,
State, Tribal, other government entities,
and private nurseries and farms that
produce native plant materials for
reforestation and restoration.
Estimate of Burden per Response: 20
minutes.
Estimated Annual Number of
Respondents: 1,200.
Estimated Annual Number of
Responses per Respondent: One.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 400 hours.
Comment is Invited: 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.
Steven W. Koehn,
Director, Cooperative Forestry, State and
Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2020–22396 Filed 10–8–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting
of the Rhode Island Advisory
Committee
Commission on Civil Rights.
Announcement of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission), and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), that a planning meeting of the
Rhode Island State Advisory Committee
to the Commission will convene by
conference call, on Tuesday, November
17, 2020 at 12 p.m. (ET). The purpose
of the meeting is to discuss the
Committee’s project on licensing for
formerly incarcerated individuals.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM
09OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 197 (Friday, October 9, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64110-64111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22396]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection: Assessing Technology Transfer Activities
of the National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, & Genetics
Resources
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to conduct assessment of technology transfer
activities by the National Center for Reforestation, Nursery, and
Genetic Resources.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and
organizations on the new information collection, Assessing Technology
Transfer Activities of the National Center for Reforestation,
Nurseries, & Genetics Resources. The United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), United States Forest Service (Forest Service),
National Center for Reforestation, Nursery, and Genetic Resources
(RNGR) supports the production of native plant materials for
reforestation and restoration activities throughout the Nation and its
insular areas. RNGR transfers important, science-based information to
the managers of Federal, State, Tribal, other government entities, and
private nurseries and farms.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before December 8,
2020 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
Kasten Dumroese, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station,
1221 South Main Street, Moscow, ID 83843.
Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to 208-883-2318 or by
email to: [email protected].
The public may inspect comments received at 1221 South Main Street,
Moscow, ID 83843 during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged
to call ahead to 208-882-3557 to facilitate entry to the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kasten Dumroese, USDA Forest Service,
Rocky Mountain Research Station, [email protected] or 208-883-2324.
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: Assessing Technology Transfer Activities of the National
Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, & Genetics Resources.
OMB Number: 0596-NEW.
Type of Request: NEW.
Abstract:
Purpose and Need for Action
The Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC) at
Washington State University will collaborate with RNGR to assess the
current and future needs for information technology and services via a
survey of nurseries and farms that produce native plant materials for
reforestation and restoration throughout the U.S. This assessment will
help RNGR better understand how these managers are using RNGR's current
products and if information can be shared more effectively and
efficiently through new tools and techniques.
The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
National Center for Reforestation, Nursery, and Genetic Resources
(RNGR) supports the production of native plant materials for
reforestation and restoration activities throughout the Nation and its
insular areas. RNGR transfers important, science-based information
through on-site visits, regional meetings, webinars, website, books,
and newsletters to the managers of Federal, State, Tribal, other
government entities, and private nurseries and farms that produce
native plant materials for reforestation and restoration.
Because of the rapid changes in technology and the ways
communication now occurs, RNGR seeks to better understand how these
managers are using RNGR's current products and if information can be
shared more effectively and efficiently through new tools and
techniques. In addition, RNGR desires to focus technology transfer on
issues pertinent to the managers' emerging needs.
The Washington State University, Social and Economic Sciences
Research Center will design a survey and collect information through a
mail and web survey of the approximately 1,200 managers of Federal,
State, Tribal, other government entities, and private nurseries and
farms that produce native plant materials for reforestation and
[[Page 64111]]
restoration. Information collected will include the name and address of
the nursery, whether it is primarily for reforestation or restoration,
what current RNGR products and tools the managers use and how effective
are those products and tools, and what new technologies and approaches
to transferring information might better serve managers. The Social and
Economic Sciences Research Center will ensure survey validity and
analyze and synthesize the information so that RNGR can implement the
findings.
If the survey is not completed, RNGR may continue to use less
effective and efficient methods to share science-based information with
the managers Federal, State, Tribal, other government entities, and
private nurseries and farms that produce native plant materials for
reforestation and restoration. The goal of this survey is to implement
more cost-effective methods of technology transfer delivered to
managers in the best format for them.
Proposed Action
The assessment will utilize survey methods. Survey data will be
collected using two modes: (1) electronic (via web) and (2) mail
delivered paper questionnaire. All 1,200 users of RNGR resources will
be contacted with the following protocols:
The first mailing will be mailed using first class postage
and will include a letter of invitation to complete the survey online
with URL, access code;
Email reminders to participants (those with email
addresses) will be sent approximately one week after the invitation
letter. Multiple email reminders may be sent (3 days in between email
waves). Email messages will be sent to one respondent at a time to
minimize spam filter effect. Email messages will come from [email protected]
email address, which will be ``white listed;''
The questionnaire is approximately 8 pages, printed on 2
sheets of 11x17 paper folded in half. A unique ID (access code) will be
printed on the questionnaire for tracking purpose. There will be 2
separate questionnaires for the (1) user and (2) non-user groups;
Questionnaires will be mailed in 6x9 envelopes with first
class postage and will include a personalized letter (containing a URL
and access code for online option) and a business reply return envelope
and personalized letter;
Reminder/thank you post cards or letters will be mailed 7
to 10 days after the questionnaire mailing; and
In addition, we will also attempt to contact organizations
in the lists via telephone to identify the appropriate individuals to
contact with regards to the survey. The phone attempts will be
conducted after mailing of the paper questionnaire and will reach out
to the remaining non-respondents. These phone attempts will serve as an
additional reminder to complete the survey.
Follow-Up Semi-Structured Interview
For those who did not respond to the survey, especially those in
the non-user group, we will conduct a follow up semi-structured
interview via phone with audio recording. The interview will serve two
main purposes (1) to determine the reason for not responding to the
survey, and (2) to gather more in-depth information about unmet needs
or reasons for not using RNGR support services that may or may not be
addressed in the quantitative survey.
For those who responded to the survey, some of the responses may
warrant further investigation, such as new ideas or issues that were
not included in the survey questions. Each interview will take
approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete and will be conducted after
the survey data collection period is concluded. Data collected via the
above methods will be summarized and analyzed in a technical report.
The information will be used to refine the strategic plan for RNGR.
Responsible Official
The responsible official will be Kasten Dumroese, USDA Forest
Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 1221 South Main Street,
Moscow, ID 83843.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Given the purpose and need, the responsible official will determine
whether the proposed actions comply with all applicable laws governing
Forest Service actions and whether the proposed action meets the
purpose and need for action. With this information, the responsible
official must decide whether to select the proposed action or one of
any other potential alternatives that may be developed, and what, if
any, additional actions should be required.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the assessment questionnaire and survey protocols.
Public comments regarding this proposal are requested in order to
assist in identifying issues and opportunities associated with the
information collection protocols.
Comments are 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.
Affected Public: Managers of Federal, State, Tribal, other
government entities, and private nurseries and farms that produce
native plant materials for reforestation and restoration.
Estimate of Burden per Response: 20 minutes.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 1,200.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 400 hours.
Comment is Invited: 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.
Steven W. Koehn,
Director, Cooperative Forestry, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2020-22396 Filed 10-8-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
