Information Collections: Clauses and Forms for Operating Plans and Agreements for Powerline Facility Operation and Maintenance, Inspections, and Vegetation Management and Clause for Vegetation Management Pilot Program Projects

Published date13 May 2021
Citation86 FR 26205
Record Number2021-10125
SectionNotices
CourtForest Service
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 91 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 91 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
                [Notices]
                [Pages 26205-26206]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2021-10125]
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                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                Forest Service
                Information Collections: Clauses and Forms for Operating Plans
                and Agreements for Powerline Facility Operation and Maintenance,
                Inspections, and Vegetation Management and Clause for Vegetation
                Management Pilot Program Projects
                AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
                ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
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                SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
                Forest Service is seeking comments on two new information collections,
                Forms and Clauses for Operating Plans and Agreements for Powerline
                Facility Operation and Maintenance, Inspections, and Vegetation
                Management and Clause for Vegetation Management Pilot Program Projects.
                DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before July 12, 2021.
                ADDRESSES: Commenters are encouraged to submit comments by email, if
                possible. You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
                 Email: [email protected].
                 Mail: USDA Forest Service, Attention: Lands, 1400 Independence
                Avenue, Southwest, Mailstop 1124, Washington, DC 20250-1124.
                 Facsimile: 703-605-5117.
                 All comments, including names and addresses when provided, will be
                placed in the record and will be available for public inspection and
                copying. The public may review the new information collections, and
                comments on the new information collections, on the Forest Service
                forms web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/lands-and-realty-management/forms. Comments will be summarized in the Forest
                Service's request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the
                new information collections and will be addressed in a Federal Register
                notice of the final revisions to the approved information collections.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reggie Woodruff, Energy Program
                Manager, at 202-205-1196 or via email at [email protected].
                Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the hearing-impaired
                (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339 24
                hours a day, every day of the year.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                 Title: Clauses and Forms for Operating Plans and Agreements for
                Powerline Facility Operation and Maintenance, Inspections, and
                Vegetation Management.
                 OMB Number: 0596-NEW.
                 Type of Request: New.
                 Abstract: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 amended the
                Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) to add section 512,
                which requires the Forest Service to collect information from owners
                and operators of powerline facilities for development of operating
                plans and agreements governing vegetation management, operation and
                maintenance, and inspection of powerline facilities on National Forest
                System (NFS) lands. The collected information will be evaluated by line
                officers and realty specialists at Forest Service field units where
                powerline facilities are located to implement the requirements of
                section 512 of FLPMA regarding operating plans and agreements governing
                vegetation management, operation and maintenance, and inspections of
                powerline facilities.
                 Affected Public: Individuals, the private sector (business and
                nonprofit entities and state, local, and tribal governmental entities).
                 Estimate of Burden per Response: 240 hours.
                 Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 10.
                 Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
                 Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,400 hours.
                 Title: Clause for Vegetation Management Pilot Program Projects.
                 OMB Number: 0596-NEW.
                 Type of Request: NEW.
                 Abstract: Section 8630 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
                (Farm Bill) gives the Forest Service discretion to authorize vegetation
                management pilot program projects under lower liability standards to
                holders of an authorization for a powerline facility or natural gas
                pipeline. These pilot projects may be conducted only on NFS lands that
                are not covered by the special use authorization for the powerline
                facility
                [[Page 26206]]
                or natural gas pipeline. The pilot projects must be conducted outside
                the linear right-of-way for the associated powerline facility or
                natural gas pipeline; may not extend more than 150 feet from either
                side of the powerline facility or natural gas pipeline; and may not
                have a total width of more than 200 feet including both sides of the
                powerline facility or natural gas pipeline. In addition, the pilot
                projects may not overlap with vegetation management conducted under the
                special use authorization for the powerline facility or natural gas
                pipeline, including removal and pruning of hazard trees outside the
                linear right-of-way for a powerline facility. The liability provisions
                in a special use permit for a pilot project have no effect on the
                liability provisions in the special use authorization for the powerline
                facility or natural gas pipeline, including the liability provisions
                that apply to removal and pruning of hazard trees inside and outside
                the linear right-of-way. Proposed new clause B-39 in Forest Service
                Handbook 2709.11, Chapter 50, section 52.2, would provide for
                authorizing vegetation management pilot projects consistent with
                section 8630 of the Farm Bill and Title V of the Federal Land Policy
                and Management Act, section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act, and their
                implementing regulations.
                 Affected Public: Individuals, the private sector (business and
                nonprofit entities and state, local, and tribal governmental entities).
                 Estimate of Burden per Response: 32 hours.
                 Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2.
                 Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
                 Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 64 hours.
                 Comment is invited on: (1) Whether these collections of information
                are 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 collections of information
                on respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical,
                or other technological collection techniques or other forms of
                information technology.
                Gregory C. Smith,
                Director, Lands and Realty Management, National Forest System.
                [FR Doc. 2021-10125 Filed 5-12-21; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
                

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