[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 109 (Monday, June 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31784-31785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12812]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Evaluation of the Environmental
Intervention Handbook
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 new information collection, Evaluation of the
Environmental Intervention Handbook.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 6, 2004
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
Patricia L. Winter, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service,
USDA, 4955 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, CA 92507.
Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (909) 680-1501 or
by e-mail to: [email protected].
The public may inspect comments received at 4955 Canyon Crest
Drive, Riverside, CA 92507; building one reception during normal
business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (909) 680-1500
to facilitate entry to the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia L. Winter, Pacific Southwest
Research Station, USDA FS, (909) 680-1557.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Evaluation of the Environmental
Intervention Handbook.
OMB Number: 0596--New.
Expiration Date of Approval: New.
Type of Request: New.
Abstract: Forest Service and university researchers will contact
recipients of a handbook designed to help resource managers reduce
depreciative activities. Through those contacts they will evaluate the
uses of the handbook, barriers to usage, and the need for revision of
the handbook or creation of supplementary materials. This will help the
researchers improve their ability to provide information to natural
resource managers on reducing activities like littering, vandalism, and
[[Page 31785]]
other activities that cause damage. To gather the information, a mini-
survey will be sent through the mail to all handbook recipients. Those
agreeing to participate further will participate in a more in-depth
survey, conducted by e-mail, telephone or mail, based on respondent
preference. Follow-up telephone contacts may occur if we need to
clarify responses to the in-depth survey.
The information will be collected and analyzed by a Forest Service
researcher and analyst/technicians, and a researcher at a cooperating
university. Both researchers are experts in applied social psychology
and survey research.
1. Respondents to the mini survey will be asked about recollection
of the handbook, about the role of depreciative activities in their own
work settings, and about their willingness to participate in the in-
depth survey. Respondents to the in-depth survey will be asked to
assess the impact of depreciative activities in natural resource
settings, their opinion of availability of materials to assist resource
managers in addressing depreciative activities, to rate a series of
aspects of the intervention handbook, and to provide some basic
soiodemographic information for purposes of comparison to other
respondents.
2. All recipients of the Environmental Intervention Handbook will
be contacted. Responses will be voluntary and confidential.
3. Responses will be used to evaluate the application and uses of
the handbook, the need for revision of the handbook, and the need for
additional tools or supplementary information to be used with handbook.
Without the proposed information collection, assessment of how the
Handbook was used, how well it worked, whether or not we need to revise
it, and if we need to provide additional tools will not be known. This
information will help the researchers supply information to natural
resource managers on methods to decrease depreciative activities. The
information can also be shared with other researchers who are
developing methods for reducing depreciative activities.
Estimate of Annual Burden: The average annual burden estimated per
respondent is 32 minutes, based on 50 respondents at 8 minutes for the
mini-survey, 45 respondents at 20 minutes for the in-depth survey, and
20 respondents at 15 minutes for the follow-up.
Type of Respondents: Respondents include natural resource managers
in State, Regional, and county agencies, academicians, environmental
educators, consultants, and researchers.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: Fifty respondents will be
contacted.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: A maximum of
three responses per year will be requested.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The annual burden on
respondents that is estimated for this information collection is 26.7
hours.
Comment is Invited:
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 request
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.
Dated: May 28, 2004.
Ann M. Bartuska,
Deputy Chief for Research and Development.
[FR Doc. 04-12812 Filed 6-4-04; 8:45 am]
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