[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17147-17148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9233]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Requested

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In conjunction with new export application procedures, the 
Forest Service announces its intent to establish new recordkeeping and 
reporting requirements. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995, the Forest Service is requesting public comment on the 
information collection requirements of the draft procedures prior to 
requesting Office of Management and Budget review and approval of the 
information collection requirements.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Bill Wilson, Forest Management, 
USDA Forest Service, PO Box 21628, Juneau, Alaska 99801-1628.
    The public may inspect comments at the following office: Forest 
Management Staff, Room 559E, Federal Building, 709 W. 9th Street, 
Juneau, Alaska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bill Wilson, Forest Management Staff, telephone: (907) 586-7915.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description of Information Collection

    Title: Alaska Log Export.
    OMB Number: Application pending.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: This is a new information collection requirement 
that has not received approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget.
    Type of Respondents: Respondents are business or other for-profit 
entities, including small businesses.
    Abstract: A purchaser of a National Forest System timber sale 
contract in Alaska may apply to the Regional Forester for a permit to 
export Western red cedar, utility logs, and/or chip logs. To strengthen 
an export application, a purchaser may provide documents to support 
arguments regarding the absence of an Alaskan market for such species, 
log grade, or product. This documentation may include a copy of a 
published advertisement or notice of the logs being available, signed 
letters from processors declining to purchase the available logs, price 
offers, or any other evidence demonstrating a lack of market. In 
addition, if an application is approved, the purchaser will be required 
to provide the contracting officer with the log scale summaries which 
document the actual volume of export. The specific information 
collection includes:

Western Red Cedar for Alaska Consumption

    Purchasers with Western red cedar designated for consumption in 
Alaska may apply for an export permit to the Pacific Northwest if there 
is no bona fide Alaska market.
    Estimate of Burden: 2 hours per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20.

Surplus Western Red Cedar

    Purchasers with Western red cedar designated for consumption in the 
Pacific Northwest may apply for an export permit to other countries if 
there

[[Page 17148]]

is no bona fide Pacific Northwest market.
    Estimate of Burden: 2 hours per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20.

Utility and Pulp Logs

    Purchasers with utility and pulp logs may apply for an export 
permit if there is no bona fide Alaska market.
    Estimate of Burden: 2 hours per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 40.

Reporting Exports

    Purchasers must provide the Regional Forester with scale reports to 
document any volume exported.
    Estimate of Burden: 1 hour per response.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20.

Comments are Invited

    The Forest Service invites comments on: (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Forest Service, including whether the information 
will have a practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Forest Service'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 collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.

Use of Comments

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

    Dated: April 3, 1998.
Ronald E. Stewart,
Acting Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 98-9233 Filed 4-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M