The National Visitor Use Monitoring
survey estimates the number of recreation visits that occur on
lands in the National Forest System. Recreation is one of the key
outputs identified in the Forest Service's strategic plan and in
the National Forest Management Act. Credible science-based
estimates of recreation visitation are critical elements of agency
performance reporting and resource planning. The NVUM program
develops estimates for each national forest of the national forest
visits. On an annual basis the Forest Service is required to report
to Congress on the agency's effectiveness in utilizing appropriated
funds. The NVUM results and data are an essential information
source in addressing forest land management planning, facility
master planning, regional- and local-level agency-mandated business
planning, national strategic planning, Civil Rights issues
regarding service to minorities, and identification of individual
forest recreation niches. This request also includes extension of
the NVUM survey protocol to several Department of Interior
agencies.
There has been a slight
increase in the number of respondents per year from about 65,400 to
69,900. The increase reflects collaboration with DOI agencies who
wish to use this collection to obtain estimates of recreation
visitation, and FS entities who want to increase sampling intensity
to better estimate their own visitation patterns and visitor
characteristics. Note: The expiration date and revision number will
be changed on the final printed survey documents. Expiration date
will be set by OMB, and this will be revision 8 of the survey.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.