Agency information collection activities: Proposed collection; comment request,

[Federal Register: September 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 175)]

[Notices]

[Page 49145-49146]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr10se99-47]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Information Collection; Request for Comments; Publication Comment Cards

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service announces its intention to establish a new information collection. The collected information will help the Forest Service prepare scientific research publications that better serve those who request them. Information will be collected from individuals, institutions, organizations, and interest groups who receive scientific research publications produced by the Forest Service Southern Research Station.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before November 9, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Marketing, Communications Office, Southern Research Station, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 2680, Asheville, NC 28802.

Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (828) 257-4840 or by email to mcarlson/srs@fs.fed.us.

The public may inspect comments received at the Southern Research Station, 200 Weaver Boulevard, Asheville, North Carolina. Visitors are urged to call ahead to facilitate entrance into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Carlson, Communications Staff, at (828) 257-4849.

Description of Information Collection

The following describes the new information collection:

Title: Publication Comments Card.

OMB Number: New.

Expiration Date of Approval: New.

Type of Request: This is a new information collection and has not received approval from the Office of Management and Budget.

Abstract: Executive Order 12862, issued September 11, 1993, directed Federal agencies to change the way they do business, to reform their management practices, to provide service to the public that matches or exceeds the best service available in the private sector, and to establish and implement customer service standards to carry out principles of the National Performance Review. In response to this Executive Order, the Forest Service Southern Research Station developed a ``Publication Comment'' Card for inclusion when distributing scientific research publications.

Since the early 1920's, Southern Research Station scientists have published the results of their studies on temperate and tropical forests, forest resources, and forest products, as well as important conclusions about the dynamics of natural timber stands and plantations, watershed management, and wildlife habitats. These studies have provided long-term data that has

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become increasingly valuable to landowners and others involved in natural resource land management. Data from the Publication Comment Card will help the Southern Research Station assess if Station publications meet the customer's expectations and address the customer's needs. The collected information also will help scientists and authors provide relevant information on effective, efficient, responsible land management in the Southern United States.

Forest Service research personnel will enclose Publication Comment Cards when providing publications to recipients in person or by mail. These Cards and some Station publications also will be made available via the Internet. The Card includes the following statements that will be rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being ``Strongly agree'' and 5 being ``Strongly disagree.''

1. The information is what I expected, based on the title and abstract.

2. The publication is well organized.

3. The content is presented clearly.

4. The technical subject matter was explained sufficiently to meet my needs.

5. The graphics (Photographs, tables, charts) were helpful.

6. This research information is useful to me.

7. I will continue to request Southern Research Station publications.

Respondents will complete the Publication Comment Cards and return them in person or mail them back to the Southern Research Station via surface mail or electronically via the Internet.

Data gathered in this information collection is not available from other sources.

Estimate of Burden: 5 minutes.

Type of Respondents: Respondents will include U.S. citizens; citizens of other countries; landowners or land lessees; timber customers; other forest-products customers; research scientists; special-use customers; educators; librarians; historians; writers; representatives of other Federal, State, county, or local Government agencies and representatives of foreign governments.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 19,500.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,625 hours.

Comment is Invited

The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the proposed 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Use of Comment

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

Dated: September 2, 1999. Robert Lewis, Jr. Deputy Chief for Research and Development.

[FR Doc. 99-23592Filed9-9-99; 8:45 am]

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