Meeteetse Conservation district

Meeteetse Conservation District
P.O. Box 237
Meeteetse, WY 82433
(307) 868-2484
Email: [email protected]

February 12, 2009
via E-mail to: [email protected]
Director
Forest Management Staff
USDA Forest Service
Mail Stop 1103, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.
Washington, DC 20250.
Re: Information Collection; Role of Communities in Stewardship Contracting
Projects OMB Number: 0596-0201

Dear Director,
In reference to (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. It appears that the collection of
this information is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the
functions of the agency. After reading through the Programmatic Monitoring of the Role
of Communities in Stewardship Contracting Final Report for FY 2006 and FY 2007, the
information appears to have practical utility.
In reference to (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. The
validity of the methodology and assumptions used appear to be sound. We do not feel is
in our scope to comment on the agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of
information.
In reference to 3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected. It would be helpful to compare information collected in previous years with
subsequent years. In addition, it may prove beneficial to report the results by region in
conjunction with reporting the results nationally. For the FY 2007 report, the use of the
Regional Vetting Analysis enhanced the quality of information obtained and should be
used again in following years. Specifically, the recommendations for improvements made
by the regional teams should be implemented where appropriate and evaluated for
effectiveness.

In reference to (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. Ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents should be asked of
the respondents during surveys. The quality of information collected through the various
collection techniques should also be evaluated. For example, is it possible to obtain the
same quality of information from an email than a phone call? In the FY 2006 report it
indicated that phone calls were used because it was believed that the one-on-one
approach would more accurately capture perceptions than other information collecting
techniques. This still needs to be considered.
Thank you for allowing our input into your process.
Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Emily Ewart
Emily Ewart
Resource Specialist, Meeteetse Conservation District