Justification

Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change

OMB 0596-0082: Special Uses

July 2008

On June 17, 2008, OMB approved a no material/nonsubstantive change request for information collection 0596-0082 (Special Uses). Since that request was submitted to OMB, additional forms have been identified as needing OMB approval. The first is a modification to a currently approved form, FS-2700-31 (Electric Transmission Line Easement); in addition, two new forms need OMB approval, FS-FG-2 (Flaming Gorge Outfitter/Guide Reservoir/High Country Trip Ticket Request) and FS-FG-3 (Flaming Gorge Outfitter/Guide River Trip Ticket Request.

Item 1: FS-2700-31 – Electric Transmission Line Easement:

This is a minor update. Changes were made to the form to make the form consistent with other forms and to address the importance of the Vegetation management for Reliability as required by Executive Order 13212 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 1211 (amending Section 215 of the Federal Power Act).

Item 2: FS-FG-2 – Flaming Gorge Outfitter/Guide Reservoir/High Country Trip Ticket Request and FS-FG-3 – Flaming Gorge Outfitter/Guide River Trip Ticket Request:

In an effort to simplify the things for citizens filling out the FS-FG-1 (approved by OMB on June 17, 2008) the Forest Service has created two additional versions of this forms. The first new form (FS-FG-2) is for guiding on reservoirs and in the high country, the second new form (FS-FG-3) is for guiding on rivers. These two forms will be used in conjunction with previously approved FS-FG-1.

The information collection and burden hours are accounted for under current OMB approval. Burden hours, number of responses, and costs associated with this information collection remain unchanged. The proposed forms are for use by the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area on a trial basis; if the trial is successful, the forms will be included in the next renewal of this information collection.

The subject forms were created using Formatta software. To view the form, users must download a free Formatta Form Filler, available from Formatta Corporation at www.formatta.com or open the Microsoft Word document attached to this request (which contains screen prints of the Formatta version of the form).

Supplemental Information to Supporting Statement, Part A for FS-FG-2 and FS-FG-3

2. How, by whom, and for what purpose the information will be used

Information requests for the issuance and administration of special use authorizations can be categorized as follows: (1) information required from proponents and applicants to evaluate proposals and applications to use or occupy NFS lands; (2) information required from applicants to complete special use authorizations; (3) annual financial information required from holders to determine land use fees; (4) information required from holders to prepare and update operating plans; (5) information required from holders to prepare and update maintenance plans; and (6) information required from holders to complete compliance reports and information updates. The six categories cover all information collection requirements involved in administration of the special uses program, including application and reporting forms; authorization forms; supplemental special use authorization clauses in Forest Service Handbook 2709.11, chapter 50, and information collection requirements not associated with an approved standard form.

FS-FG-2 and FS-FG-3 fall into category (6) – Information required from holders to complete compliance reports and information updates. This category currently has no Forest Service forms associated with it.

Category 6: Compliance Reports and Information Updates

Special use authorizations may contain a clause requiring the holder to provide the authorized officer with compliance reports, information reports, and other information required by federal law or to manage NFS lands to address protection of national forest resources and public health and safety.

3. Consideration of use of improved technology

These forms are for use by Outfitter and Guides operating within the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, via the Internet. They formalize the transaction and expedite the process by providing the ability to conduct business via the Internet.

4. Efforts to identify duplication

These forms are not currently available from any other source. They are part of a prototype test. If successful, the forms will be included (as is or revised) in the renewal package for this information collection. At that time, it would be available for use by all Forest Service offices.

5. Methods used to minimize burden, if collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities

These forms will minimize the collection burden for small businesses (outfitters and guides) by providing a means to submit required information via the Internet. This will allow submitters to provide the information at a time and from a location that is convenient.

12. Estimate of the burden on respondents resulting from the information collection

Currently the burden hours for Category 6 are 30,000 hours. Total burden hours for Category 6 and the entire information collection will not change.

14. estimate of annual cost to the Federal government resulting from the information collection

The total estimated annual cost to the Federal government resulting from the information collection will not change.

17. Request not to display the expiration date

The Forest Service was granted an exemption from displaying the OMB expiration date on the current Paperwork Reduction Act submission. We are requesting approval to not display the OMB expiration date on forms FS-FG-2 and FS-FG-3.