20200211 SF-299_SuptStmt FINAL

The Supporting Statement for 0596-NEW

Special Uses – SF-299 Application for Transportation, Utility Systems, Telecommunications and Facilities on Federal Lands and Property

February2020

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Iden­tify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

This information collection is used by the Forest Service to evaluate and ensure that authorized uses of National Forest System (NFS) lands are in the public interest and are compatible with the agency’s mission. The information helps the agency identify environmental and social impacts of special uses for purposes of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and program administration. In addition, the agency uses the information to ascertain whether the land use fee being charged for special use authorizations is based on market value. The information is collected through application forms and terms and conditions in special use authorizations and operating plans. Ongoing uses must be monitored to ensure compliance with the terms of the corresponding authorizations. In certain situations, information from the authorization holder is the only way the Forest Service can verify compliance with the terms of an authorization.

Several statutes authorize the Forest Service to issue and administer authorizations for use and occupancy of National Forest System (NFS) lands and require the collection of information from the public for those purposes. The laws for authorizing the use and managing these uses of NFS lands include:

1. The Organic Administration Act of 1897 (16 U.S.C. 551);

2. Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1761-1771);

3. The Act of March 4, 1915 (16 U.S.C. 497);

4. The National Forest Ski Area Permit Act (16 U.S.C. 497b);

5. Section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 185);

6. The National Forest Roads and Trails Act (FRTA, 16 U.S.C. 532-538);

7. Section 7 of the Granger-Thye Act (16 U.S.C. 480d);

8. The Act of May 26, 2000 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6d);

9. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801-6814);

10. Act of September 3, 1954 (68 Stat. 1146; 43 U.S.C. 931c, 931d);

11. Archeological Resource Protection Act of October 31^st , 1979 (16 U.S.C.1996)

12. The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended

13. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Forest Service regulations implementing these authorities, found at 36 CFR part 251, subpart B, contain information collection requirements, including submission of applications, execution of forms, and imposition of terms and conditions that entail information collection requirements, such as the requirement to submit annual financial information; to prepare and update an operating plan; to prepare and update a maintenance plan; and to submit compliance reports and information updates. The information collection requirements described in this request are necessary for the Forest Service to issue and administer special use authorizations to use and occupy NFS lands under these authorities.

From time to time, the agency will be making minor changes to the forms included in this approval. These revisions will not materially change the information collection, but rather the terms and conditions and legal authorities that govern special use permits.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

1. What information will be collected - reported or recorded? (If there are pieces of information that are especially burdensome in the collection, a specific explanation should be provided.)

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. None of the requested information is especially burdensome. When requested, financial information is the same information, and in the same level of detail, that must be supplied to the IRS or maintained under traditional sound business management practices.

Category 1: The Application Process

The application includes both the proposal to use NFS lands and the application for an authorization. When a proposal is accepted it moves forward as an application. The information in this process identifies the applicant, is used to determine if a requested use can be authorized and provides the required information for the authorization. The typical application information in the application process is:

(1) identification of the applicant;
(2) a description of the proposed use;

(3) the location and duration of the proposed use;

(4) the technical and financial capability of the applicant;

(5) alternative locations considered for the proposed use, including non-federal lands;

(6) anticipated environmental impacts associated with the proposed use and proposed mitigation of those impacts; and

(7) information needed to recover agency costs to process an application and monitor a special use authorization. The authorized officer evaluates this information and makes a decision to grant or deny the application.

Please refer to question 12 for a list of the individual forms.

2. From whom will the information be collected? If there are different respondent categories (e.g., loan applicant versus a bank versus an appraiser), each should be described along with the type of collection activity that applies.

The Forest Service collects the information from proponents and applicants and those holding a special use authorization. On average, 6,873 SF-299 applications were received annually from 2016-2018. Of the 6,873 authorizations, the proportions are as follows: 29 percent are individuals (single person, husband and wife, or family trust); 58 percent are private sector businesses (sole proprietor, partnerships, corporations, schools, and charities); and 13 percent encompass governmental entities (federal, state, local, county, and tribes). This breakdown has been verified in 2019.

These uses of NFS lands range from an individual’s driveway, to interstate gas lines; from a single boat dock to multi-million-dollar recreation resorts; from a small (fee exempt) not-for-profit utility to multi-national corporations and federal power organizations.

3. What will this information be used for - provide ALL uses?

The information collected is used to issue permits and leases, enforce compliance with agreements, produce reports to ensure fees are paid (such as Recreation Residence Cabins) and to monitor growth of the Special Use Program. This helps with budget forecasting and program development.

4. How will the information be collected (e.g., forms, non-forms, electronically, face-to-face, over the phone, over the Internet)? Does the respondent have multiple options for providing the information? If so, what are they?

Typically, the information is collected via delivery of the form via hard copy mail, FAX or in electronic format via e-mail. Since most of these forms are legally binding Agreements, they require a signature for the attestation or acceptance, with an original signature.

4. How frequently will the information be collected?

It varies. Based on the length of the authorization, forms have a duration ranging from a short-term of a day or year, to a long-term up to 40 years. Thus depending on the use type, information can be collected with varying frequencies. Large resorts may provide fee information on a monthly basis whereas a Special Use Permit for signage may not be needed for another 20 years.

4. Will the information be shared with any other organizations inside or outside USDA or the government?

The information is not shared in any routine or established manner.

Information is released in certain situations such as audits by USDA Office of the Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office, and yearly requests for certain information relevant to local taxing authorities for their Possessory Interest Taxes.

4. If this is an ongoing collection, how have the collection requirements changed over time?

The SF-299 Application for Transportation & Utility Systems & Facilities on Federal Lands is being removed from OMB Control No. 0596-0082 collection and is submitted for review to be approved as a common form. Modifications to the form include the addition of terms related to telecommunications to make clear that the form is to be used by proponents and applicants who wish to locate or modify communications facilities on federal lands or buildings.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

Routine and reoccurring information can be delivered to the agency by the applicant or authorization holder using the information technology employed in the normal course of business. The agency uses e-mail and FAX to improve delivery of services and plans to use improved technology when it is available.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar infor­mation already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes descri­bed in Item 2 above.

Executive Order 13821 Streamlining and Expediting Requests to Locate Broadband Facilities in Rural America directed GSA to coordinate with the heads of Federal property managing agencies to evaluate the effectiveness of GSA’s existing Common Form Application and determine whether any revisions to the GSA Common Form Application were appropriate. This effort identified that most agencies were using the SF-299 as the application for locating or modifying communications facilities or uses on federal property, not GSA’s Common Form Application. The agencies collectively decided that the SF-299, with minor modifications, would be adopted as the common form.

Additionally, Section 606(b)(2), division P, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, also known as the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless Act (MOBILE NOW Act), requires GSA to develop a common form for applications for easements, rights-of-way, and leases. The common form is to be used by all executive agencies and applicants with respect to the buildings or other property of each agency.

The use of standard forms tends to reduce requests for extraneous information and allows the applicant to provide data in a more efficient manner than if several different forms were required. The modification of the SF-299 for telecommunication purposes reduces the applicants’ need to use agency specific forms when applying for telecommunication use at different agencies.

The Forest Service has determined that the information the agency needs to process special use applications and monitor special use authorizations for use of NFS lands is not available from other governmental and private entities.

To avoid duplication of effort, the Forest Service is consolidating authorizations, when appropriate, into one authorization, thereby eliminating multiple billings and the individual data required by each authorization.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

This information collection does impact small business or other small entities. While many small entities (individuals, businesses, organizations and governmental units) qualify for fee exemptions or waivers, there is no waiver from compliance with required environmental laws and receiving the appropriate legal instrument for their occupancy and use of NFS lands.

The methods used to minimize burden include collecting only the minimal information necessary to calculate the land use fee and to verify a basic level of maintenance at the site is required. Financial information, when required, involves records typically maintained in the normal course of business. No unusual information is required to determine the land use fee.

The Forest Service waives the required cost reimbursement when the impact to the agency is less than 8 hours.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

If the collection is not conducted or conducted less frequently there will be a loss to the Federal Treasury of the required receipts from use of NFS lands and reimbursement of agency costs, costs incurred only due to the special benefit provided to that entity. All of these receipts are required to be paid either annually or as a condition of receiving their unique benefit.

Additionally, based on prior experience – when authorizations are not administered correctly – adverse impacts to the environmental resource within the National Forests occur. Facilities improperly located and constructed most likely result in aesthetic damage, soil loss, and water pollution. Soil loss, water pollution, and adverse impacts to plants and animals and their habitat will also occur without the appropriate administration of the use of NFS lands.

The Forest Service collects the information that is used to determine whether the use meets applicable regulations. The use could not be evaluated without the information collected.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

• Requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

The SF-299 Application for Transportation, Utility Systems, Telecommunications and Facilities on Federal Lands does not require the applicant to report quarterly information.

• Requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of informa­tion in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

The SF-299 Application for Transportation, Utility Systems, Telecommunications and Facilities on Federal Lands does not require the applicant to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it.

• Requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;

The SF-299 Application for Transportation, Utility Systems, Telecommunications and Facilities on Federal Lands does not require the applicant to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years.

• In connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

The SF-299 Application for Transportation, Utility Systems, Telecommunications and Facilities on Federal Lands is not connected with a statistical survey

• Requiring the use of a statis­tical data classi­fication that has not been re­vie­wed and approved by OMB;

The SF-299 Application for Transportation, Utility Systems, Telecommunications and Facilities on Federal Lands does not require the use of a statistical data classification.

• That includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by au­thority estab­lished in statute or regu­la­tion, that is not sup­ported by dis­closure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unneces­sarily impedes shar­ing of data with other agencies for com­patible confiden­tial use; or

The SF-299 Application for Transportation, Utility Systems, Telecommunications and Facilities on Federal Lands does not include such a pledge of confidentiality.

• Requiring respondents to submit propri­etary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demon­strate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permit­ted by law.

There are no other special circumstances. The collection of information is conducted in a manner consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons out­side the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and record keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years even if the col­lection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

The request for public comment on the modifications of the SF-299 Application for Transportation, Utility Systems, Telecommunications and Facilities on Federal Lands and Property was published in the federal register as a notice on April 25, 2019 (84 Fed. Reg. 17376). The comment period ended June 24, 2019. The Forest Service received four comments from the public.

A 30-day comment period was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A Federal Register Notice (84 FR 37986) was published on August 5, 2019, and comment period ended September 4, 2019. No comments were received during this 30-day comment period.

Comment #1
Name	Kristin Kahler Realty Specialist Forest Service WO Business Operations, Enterprise Program p: 720-594-9852 [email protected] 30403 Kings Valley Dr, Ste 2-115 Conifer, CO 80433
Comment	1. Addition of a box for Email Address. 2. Relocate phone number blank to an area that is more visible. It is often not filled out due to the current location. 3. Addition of a selection for “ Existing improvements, no changes on the ground. Skip to signature.” - Something to that affect. This should be AFTER the proposal description however as we still need those details, updated maps, etc… Often times we have people buying rec residence cabins or property with a driveway permit and most of the application does not apply. They have no idea how to fill it out and we spend a lot of time going through it with them. 4. Make signature area more visible, it is often missed.
Response	Comments 1 & 2: The email and telephone number are requested in the address field “Name, title, address, email and telephone number of applicant (include area code and zip codes)”. Comment 3: This exists as “b. Renewing existing authorization number” Comment 4: No change. The form field and font characteristics are consistent with the other fields.
Comment #2
Name	Chad Parker RD, Washington, DC <[email protected]> Assistant Administrator, Telecommunication Programs USDA , Rural Development
Comment	Please see comments below regarding the updating of Standard Form 299: 1) Somewhere in the area of the form between fields 6 and 7 should add the question of “Has the applicant obtained or is eligible to obtain financing for this specific facility pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended? (This includes RUS loans made by the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program under Title II and III of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 or by the Rural Broadband Loan under Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936), Yes or No? If yes, provide the borrower designation and loan designations under which the facility was financed and the year the loan was made (i.e., MT 500 Q loan, 1987)” 2) Included in field 20 should be the request, and space, to provide the name(s), title(s), email address(s), telephone number(s) and mailing address(s) of the contacts at the Federal Department(s)/Agency(ies) where this application is being filed if they are known through prior contact or referral.
Response	Comments 1 & 2 GSA Standard Forms are designed to be usable by all departments and agencies of the federal government. The form fields are agency neutral. The addition of Rural Development’s information request is agency specific, which is not consistent with the neutrality of the form. This would also encourage other departments and agencies to add agency specific information requests to the SF-299.
Comment #3
Name	Bruce Grimm ZIP/Postal Code: 98287-0312 Email Address: [email protected]
Comment	In RE: FS-2019-0004-0001 Federal Register Number 2019-08320 The Forest Service has a duty and responsibility as well as an interest in the land use situation of the properties it manages. Use of the SF-299 Form for easements and right of way application is appropriate but information gathering can be improved. Events point the moral sometimes. Once a project begins, the connection between land use decisions and who it affects can become a moot issue. Although 36 CFR Part 251 in part governs use, occupancy and rights of way reserved by a grantor of lands to the United States, the application form above could be further enhanced thus streamlining the process if the following elements of the work are brought out specifically: Liability issues and cleanup responsibility including compensation to the government landowner. In construction, uses such as depth of cover, impact on roads, construction methods and time of year when construction will occur. There are undoubtedly reciprocal forces that bind federal agencies together and it is essential that decisions based on the application are made so that it does not make for a maladjusted land use system.
Response	The SF-299 is the application form to be used by a proponent/applicant when they wish to occupy and use federal property (lands and buildings).The application form is used to determine the scope of the proposed use or activity, whether or not that use or activity is consistent with the agency’s management objectives, or whether or not the proponent/applicant is technically and financially capable of constructing, operating, maintaining and terminating that use. This information is used to develop the proposed action. The affected agency is responsible for evaluating and analyzing the environmental and social impacts of that proposed action. If the decision is made to authorize the use, the agency issues an authorization that contains the appropriate terms and conditions to protect the environment, the public and the interests of the United States. The authorizations commonly include construction plans, and long-term operation and maintenance plans that incorporate Best Management Practices and other stipulations to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects on soil, water quality, and riparian resources.
Comment #4
Name	Jean Public <[email protected]>
Comment	this is outrageous., comcast is worth trilliosn of dollars and they get to just plunk down their crap anywhere on the land we all own - all 328 millino of us.we cant let all these commercial profiteers run wild through our national lands. this is far too sweeping and should be fought back against at every turn. comcast is a trillion dollars company, as are the other broadbands, and they should be paying and pyaing heavy for any uses of our open space. the open space is precous. it shoudl not be given away for profiteers to run rampant on. this is an awful law that needs to be foiugh back aginast. i am not in favor of this allowance of cmmercial trillion dollars massive profiteers to run rampant on our national lands for their product. they can buy private land, they dont have to have access to run their crap through our open space. our open space has privacy rights for the trees and animals and birds we want to protect there.e it does not exist just as open land for this commercial trillionaire t destroy. this is wrong. absolutely wrongl. this comment is for the pubcil rcord. please receipt. jean publiee [email protected]
Response	The SF-299 is the application form to be used by a proponent/applicant when they wish to occupy and use federal property (lands and buildings).The application form is used to determine the scope of the proposed use or activity, whether or not that use or activity is consistent with the agency’s management objectives, or whether or not the proponent/applicant is technically and financially capable of constructing, operating, maintaining and terminating that use. This information is used to develop the proposed action. The affected agency is responsible for evaluating and analyzing the environmental and social impacts of that proposed action. If the decision is made to authorize the use, the agency issues an authorization that contains the appropriate terms and conditions to protect the environment, the public and the interests of the United States. The authorizations commonly include construction plans, and long-term operation and maintenance plans that incorporate Best Management Practices and other stipulations to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects on soil, water quality, and riparian resources.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than re-enumeration of contractors or grantees.

The Forest Service does not provide any gift or payment to the respondents regarding information collection requirements of 36 CFR Part 251, Subpart B, for Special Uses.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) protects proprietary and confidential information.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

This kind of information is not requested, is not needed, nor provided to the Agency by applicants or holders of a Special Use authorization.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated.

• Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form.

a) Description of the collection activity

b) Corresponding form number (if applicable)

c) Number of respondents

d) Number of responses annually per respondent,

e) Total annual responses (columns c x d)

f) Estimated hours per response

g) Total annual burden hours (columns e x f)

There is an existing burden for this information collection under 0596-0082 that will now be transferred to this new information collection. Previously, the Forest Service received 6,836 SF-299 applications for a variety of uses on National Forest System lands.

One application is required for each special use request. If a party was interested in a special use authorization in more than one National Forest or more than one site within a National Forest, they would need to submit separate applications for each site. This information collection includes the development of narratives for plan development and thus requires several hours to complete. Based on the length of narrative and complexity of information requested, the Forest Service estimates an average of 8 hours per collection.

Agency	Number of Applications received for all uses FY-2019	Estimated hours to complete SF-299 by applicant	Total Burden hours for applicants
Forest Service	6,873	8	54,984

• Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.

Estimated Annualized Cost to Respondents-Forest Service

(a) Description of the Collection Activity	(b) Estimated Total Respondents	(c) Hours per response		(d) Estimate annual burden (hours)	(e)* Estimated Average Wage per Hour	(f) Fringe Benefit	(f) Estimated Cost to Respondents
Application Process
Agricultural	253	8		2,024	$14.49	$6.62	$42,726.64
Communication	568	8		4,544	$37.06	$16.94	$245,376
Education	109	8		872	$43.06	$19.68	$54,709.28
Forestry	63	8		504	$24.42	$11.16	$17,932.32
Mining	6	8		48	$47.32	$21.63	$3,309.60
Motion Picture	2,155	8		17,240	$41.75	$19.08	$1,048,709.20
Realty	95	8		760	$37.95	$17.34	$42,020.40
Research	633	8		5,064	$59.54	$27.21	$439,302.00
Transportation	1,544	8		12,352	$49.45	$22.60	$889,961.60
Utilities	787	8		6,296	$21.46	$9.81	$196,875.92
Waste	62	8		496	$23.79	$10.87	$17,191.36
Other Uses	598	8		4,784	$24.98	$11.42	$174,137.60
Totals	6,873	--		54,984	---	--	$3,172,251.92

The Mean average hourly rate of $24.98 for all occupations from the most recent (2017) Bureau of Labor Statistics was used rounded to $25 (https://www.bls.gov/oes/2018/may/oes_nat.htm#00-0000). The salaries of employees supporting these authorizations range from high values in the Utility industry to lower values of the retail and recreation industries.

Mean fringe benefit rate of 45.7% taken from Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employer Cost for Employee Compensation June 2019. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf

13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information, (do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in items 12 and 14). The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component annualized over its expected useful life; and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.

There are no capital/start-up or operation and maintenance costs associated with this collection.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Provide a description of the method used to estimate cost and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

The response to this question covers the actual costs the agency will incur as a result of implementing the information collection. The estimate should cover the entire life cycle of the collection and include costs, if applicable, for:

• Employee labor and materials for developing, printing, storing forms

• Employee labor and materials for developing computer systems, screens, or reports to support the collection

• Employee travel costs

• Cost of contractor services or other reimbursements to individuals or organizations assisting in the collection of information

• Employee labor and materials for collecting the information

• Employee labor and materials for analyzing, evaluating, summarizing, and/or reporting on the collected information

Estimated Annual Cost to the Government

ACTION ITEM	PERSONNEL	HOURLY RATE	HOURLY FRINGE RATE	HOURS PER APPLICATION	NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS	TOTAL HOURS	SALARY TOTAL
The Application Process	Resource Specialists GS9 Step 5	$24.15	$11.04	8	6,873	54,984	$1,934,886.96

Hourly Rate taken from https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2019/GS_h.pdf, 2019 General Schedule (Base), Cost to Government calculated at hourly wage. The rate for a GS 9 / Step 5 is $ 24.15.

Mean fringe benefit rate of 45.7% taken from Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employer Cost for Employee Compensation June 2019. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in items 13 or 14 of OMB form 83-I.

This is a new information collection but uses an existing form. The form was previously included in information collection 0596-0082. The Forest Service reported on all burden under this form including the use of the form by other federal agencies. Under this information collection request, the Forest Service proposes to make this form a common form. As such, the Forest Service will only be reporting on the burden associated with the use of this form for the Forest Service. All other agencies that use this form will need to request to use the common form and report their burden separately.

When the Forest Service renews information collection 0596-0082 (expiration August 31, 2020), the burden associated with SF-299 will be removed from the collection as it will now be captured under this new information collection.

16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication.

There are no plans to publish the results of this information collection.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

The Forest Service requests an exemption from displaying the OMB expiration date on this Information Collection submission. Many of the Authorizations are valid for periods of up to 40 years from the date of execution. Holders of Forest Service Special Use authorizations often confuse OMB’s expiration date with the Forest Service’s date for expiration of the authorized use, or with the date a form was last revised (usually to reflect corrections due to typographical errors, misspellings, and so forth).

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in item 19, "Certification Requirement for Paperwork Reduction Act."

There are no exceptions to the certification statement. The agency is able to certify compliance with all provisions under Item 19 of OMB form 83-I, Certification Requirements for Paperwork Reduction Act.

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