[Federal Register: March 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 42)]
[Notices]               
[Page 10952-10953]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03mr06-27]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

 
Information Collection; Request for Comment; Recreation Fee 
Administration

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 with revision of information collection 
for the administration of recreation fees on National Forest System 
lands. The information provides for consistent collection of fees for 
use of government facilities and services. Respondents will include 
individuals.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before May 2, 2006 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 
Jennifer Eberlien, Recreation Staff, Mailstop 1125, USDA, Forest 
Service 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1125.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to Jennifer Eberlien 
(202) 205-1145 or by e-mail to:

[[Page 10953]]

recreation2300@fs.fed.us. If comments are sent by e-mail or facsimile, 

the public is requested not to send duplicate comments via mail. Please 
confine comments to issues pertinent to the proposed extension with 
revisions of the currently approved information collection, explain the 
reasons for any recommended changes, and where possible, reference the 
specific item being addressed.
    The public may inspect comments received in the Office of the 
Director, Recreation and Heritage Staff, 4th Floor South, Sidney R. 
Yates Federal Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20024 on business days between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (202) 205-1169 to facilitate 
entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Eberlien, Recreation and 
Heritage Staff, at (202) 205-1169. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, 
including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Recreation Fee Administration.
    OMB Number: 0596-0106.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 1, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension with Revision.
    Abstract: The Federal Lands Recreation and Enhancement Act (16 
U.S.C. 6801-6814) authorizes the Forest Service to collect recreation 
fees for use of government facilities and services.
    Two categories of information are collected through two forms. The 
first, FS-2300-26, Recreation Fee Envelope, is a form used to document 
when visitors pay a required recreation fee. The second, FS-2300-43, 
The Rules of Occupancy for Short-term, Non-Commercial Use of Government 
Facilities, is used to schedule requests for use and occupancy of 
government owned facilities. Previously designated as FS-2700-3e under 
0596-0082, the Forest Service proposes to redesignate this form under 
0596-0106 as FS-2300-43.
    Currently, the information collected for FS-2300-26 includes a 
visitor's vehicle license number and registered state, Golden Passport 
Number (if applicable), number of days paid, and dollar amount 
enclosed. The Forest Service is not proposing to change this 
information. This information is used to ensure that visitors have paid 
a required recreation fee.
    Currently, the information collected for FS-2300-43 includes a 
renter's contact information such as name, address, and phone number. 
The information will be collected when the visitor is paying the 
recreation fee or when a person is applying for rental of a government 
owned facility. The Forest Service is proposing to change only the 
number of the form.
    The information will be collected by Federal employees and agents 
who are authorized to collect the recreation fees or rent government 
facilities. A national forest may use zip codes to help determine where 
the national forest's visitor base originates. Personal information 
such as names, addresses, and vehicle registration will not be 
maintained. Collecting this information is important to ensure that the 
national forests are able to evaluate whether a visitor has paid a 
required recreation fee and to rent a government owned facility.
    If unable to collect this information, national forests would not 
be able to verify who has paid a recreation fee. National forests would 
not be able to schedule and rent government-owned facilities to the 
public successfully.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: (1) FS-2300-26 estimated 3 minutes; (2) 
FS-2300-43 estimated 15 minutes.
    Type of Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: FS-2300-26 estimated 2 
million. FS-2300-43 estimated 10,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: FS-2300-26--1; 
FS-2300-43--1
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: FS-2300-26--1,666 
hours; FS-2300-43--42 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 request for Office of 
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: February 27, 2006.
Gloria Manning,
Associate Deputy Chief, NFS.
[FR Doc. E6-3078 Filed 3-2-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-11-P