[Federal Register: September 29, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 188)]
[Notices]
[Page 56887-56888]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29se05-28]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Day Use on the National Forests of
Southern California
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 from all interested individuals and
organizations on the extension information collection, Day Use on the
National Forests of Southern California.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before November 28,
2005.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to Dr.
Deborah J. Chavez, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 4955 Canyon
Crest Drive, Riverside, CA 92507. Comments also may be submitted via
facsimile to (909) 680-1501, or send an e-mail to dchavez@fs.fed.us.
The public may inspect comments received at the address above
during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to
(909) 680-1500 to facilitate entry to the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Deborah J. Chavez, Pacific
Southwest Research Station, (909) 680-1558, e-mail to
dchavez@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for
the deaf may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-
8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including
holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Day Use on the National Forests of
Southern California.
OMB Number: 0596-0129.
Expiration Date of Approval: 3/31/2006.
Type of Request: Extension.
Abstract: Users of urban proximate National Forests in Southern
California come from a variety of ethnic/racial, income, age,
educational, and other socio-demographic backgrounds. The activities
pursued, information sources utilized, and site attributes preferred
are just some of the items affected by these differences. Past studies
completed through previously approved collections
[[Page 56888]]
have provided baseline information from which managers have made
decisions, revised forest plans, and renovated/redesigned recreation
sites. Additional information is needed for the managers of National
Forests in Southern California, in part to validate previous results
and in part because of the continuously changing profile of the visitor
population recreating on the National Forests of Southern California.
In the absence of the resultant information from the proposed series,
the Forest Service will be ill-equipped to implement management changes
required to respond to the needs and preferences of day use visitors.
Data will be collected from visitors at outdoor recreation day use
sites (these include developed picnic areas, general forest day use
sites, off-road staging areas, trails, etc.) on National Forests in
Southern California. Sites, dates of data collection, and individuals
participating in the study will be randomly selected for inclusion in
the study. Survey instruments will be available in English and Spanish
and bilingual research teams will collect the data. Participation in
this study is voluntary. The maximum amount of completion time will
average 15 minutes or less. Participants will answer questions on the
following topics: socio-demographic profile; National Forest visitation
history and patterns; activity patterns; information and communication;
site amenities/characteristics; perceptions about the environment and
land uses; and general comments. Urban National Forests in Southern
California have used the information to assist in effective management
of recreation activities in the region studied. Data collected
previously has been used by the agency to institute forest newspapers,
add site renovations to an existing picnic area, and in forest
planning. Results have been presented at local, national and
international meetings, and have been published in several outlets.
Data generated through this collection will be utilized in a similar
manner as well as provide opportunities for comparisons of visitor
profile and use shifts over time. Data will be evaluated and analyzed
by Dr. Deborah J. Chavez at the Pacific Southwest Research Station.
Consequences for not collecting this data would be (a) decreased
service delivery due to decreased quality and breadth of information
provided to resource managers on the socio-demographic profile of
visitors, visitation history and patterns, information and
communication, site amenities/characteristics, perceptions about the
environment and land uses, (b) decreased ability to continue to expand
approved research work unit's assigned study topics such as
understanding visitor profiles, (c) increased response time for
inquiries into topics from managers and university contacts, (d)
increased dependency on cooperator availability to carry out research
unit mission, and (e) loss of information represented in follow-up
longitudinal studies.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 15 minutes per respondent.
Type of Respondents: Recreation visitors to urban National Forests
in Southern California.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 600 per year.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1 per year.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 150 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 submission for Office
of Management and Budget approval.
Dated: September 14, 2005.
Ann M. Bartuska,
Deputy Chief for Research & Development.
[FR Doc. 05-19424 Filed 9-28-05; 8:45 am]
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