The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to sponsor visitor use surveys for the Headwaters Forest Reserve and the King Range National Conservation Area (KRNCA). The KRNCA survey will focus on the Lost Coast Trail which follows the King Range Wilderness coastline and is used by the majority of visitors.
The Secretary of the Interior acquired the lands comprising the Headwaters Reserve under the authority of the 1998 Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Public Law 105-83 (codified at 16 USC 471j), and established the KRNCA under the authority of Public Law 91-476 (codified at 16 USC 460y  460y-9). The Headwaters Reserve and the KRNCA are managed by the BLM Arcata Field Office in Northern California and are part of BLM's National Landscape Conservation System.
The proposed visitor use surveys would contribute to the implementation of the Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for the Reserve and the KRNC that the BLM approved in 2004 and 2005, respectively. In order to achieve resource protection and recreation goals set forth in the RMPs, BLM must gather accurate data regarding visitor use characteristics. Baseline studies of visitor use characteristics were conducted in the Reserve and the KRNCA in 1999 and 2003, respectively. These past studies provided comprehensive information about visitors' demographics and visitors' views on facilities, conflicts, existing and proposed management actions, resource conditions, and desires for the area. Since those initial studies, several changes have occurred in each area, including the addition of new facilities, and implementation of new management actions, and increasing annual visitation. A new visitor use study is needed in each area to determine changes in visitor characteristics, including demographics, usage, user conflicts, and perspectives toward management programs and facilities. The IC methods will include conducting on-site interviews with visitors on a stratified random sampling basis and distributing mail-back questionnaires. The IC will take place during the summer season when visitation rates are highest. Data will be analyzed and a final report developed for both the Headwaters Reserve and the KRNCA. This collection of information will enable the BLM to respond to problems, protect natural and cultural resources, and develop appropriate interpretive programs.
US Code:
16 USC 460y - 460y-9
Name of Law: King Range National Conservatoin Area
US Code:
16 USC 471j
Name of Law: Headwaters Forest and Elk River Property Acquisition
US Code:
5 USC 306
Name of Law: Government Performance and Results Act
US Code:
31 USC 1115-1119
Name of Law: Government Pewrformance and Results Act
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.
30-day notice.pdf
Supporting_statement_B-6-1-2012.docx
2013 LCT reminder postcard for OMB.doc
Headwaters Visitor Interview