From: Subject: FR Doc E7-366 Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2007 22:33:17 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-366.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3028 FR Doc E7-366 
[Federal Register: January 12, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 8)]
[Notices]              =20
[Page 1487]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12ja07-29]                        =20

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

=20
Information Collection; Timber Purchaser Cost and Sales Data

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; Request for Comment.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the=20
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and=20
organizations on the extension of a currently approved information=20
collection, Timber Purchaser Cost and Sales Data.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before March 13, 2007=20
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will=20
be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to=20
Forest Management, Attn: Lathrop Smith, Mail Stop 1103, Forest Service,=20
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1103.
    Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (202) 205-1045 or=20
by e-mail to: cost_collecting@fs.fed.us.
    The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the=20
Director, Forest Management Staff, Forest Service, USDA, Room 3 NW.,=20
Yates Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Visitors=20
are encouraged to call ahead to (202) 205-1496 to facilitate entry into=20
the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lathrop Smith, Timber Staff, Forest=20
Management at (202) 205-0858. Individuals who use TDD may call the=20
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every=20
day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Timber Purchaser Cost and Sales Data.
    OMB Number: 0596-0017.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2007.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The Forest Service sells timber and other forest products=20
on national forest lands to achieve policies set forth in the Multiple-
Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960, and the Forest and Rangeland Renewable=20
Resources Planning Act of 1974. Timber must not be sold for less than=20
the appraised value (Pub. L. 94-588). The Forest Service may not sell=20
timber below a minimum stumpage rate established by the Chief of the=20
Forest Service, ensuring that timber sales recover some of the costs=20
associated with preparation and administration of timber sales.
    Forest Service timber appraisers develop advertised prices using=20
transaction evidence or a residual value form of appraisal. The Forest=20
Service collects and uses the following to develop transaction evidence=20
and residual value appraisal systems: (1) Product value, (2)=20
manufacturing cost, (3) falling and bucking costs, (4) skidding and=20
loading costs, and (5) hauling costs.
    In many areas, the Forest Service purchases lumber product values=20
from the Western Wood Products Association. The Forest Service, via=20
contracting officers, also collects data from timber purchasers and=20
uses it to develop fair market average value and cost information for=20
appraisals, as well as advertised prices for national forest timber.=20
Forest Service staff at the Albuquerque Service Center analyzes the=20
data. All data collected is subject to verification.
    Standard timber sale contract forms FS-2400-6 and FS-2400-6T=20
contain a provision requiring timber purchasers to furnish data to the=20
Forest Service upon request. The Forest Service consulted with several=20
timber industry groups during the development of this standard contract=20
provision, including but not limited to: Western Wood Products=20
Association, National Forest Products Association, Western Forest=20
Industries Association, and Industrial Forestry Association.
    States and other agencies also use the data in appraisals.=20
Additionally, timber purchasers rely upon cost collection to help with=20
independent appraisals of Federal timber and to estimate the cost of=20
subcontracting aspects of Federal timber harvest activities.
    The data is collected from various sources, ranging from paper to=20
electronic media. The Forest Service does not provide forms for the=20
collection of this data. Some firms mail the data to the Forest=20
Service, others provide access to records and duplication equipment,=20
and some firms provide on-site access to electronic data. Data gathered=20
is not available from other sources.
    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1 hour per request.
    Type of Respondents: Timber sale purchasers.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 20.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20 hours.
    Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information=20
is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the=20
functions of the agency, including whether the information will have=20
practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's=20
estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the=20
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance=20
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;=20
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on=20
respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or=20
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information=20
technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names=20
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record.=20
Comments will be summarized and included in the request for Office of=20
Management and Budget approval.

    Dated: December 21, 2006.
Frederick Norbury,
Associate Deputy Chief.
 [FR Doc. E7-366 Filed 1-11-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-11-P