Notice2024-24996
Information Collection; Significant Cave Nomination Application
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 28, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension without change to a currently approved collection information collection, Significant Cave Nominations under the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 208 (Monday, October 28, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85492-85493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24996]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Significant Cave Nomination Application
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and
organizations on the extension without change to a currently approved
collection information collection, Significant Cave Nominations under
the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before December 27,
2024 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to
Limaris Soto, Lands, Minerals, and Geology, 1617 Cole Boulevard,
Building 17, Lakewood CO 80401. Comments also may be submitted via
facsimile to 303-275-5122 or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#09656064687b607a277a667d66497c7a6d68276e667f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fe9297939f8c978dd08d918a91be8b8d9a9fd0999188">[email protected]</span></a>.
Comments submitted in response to this notice may be made available
to the public through relevant websites and upon request. For this
reason, please do not include in your comments information of a
confidential nature, such as sensitive personal information or
proprietary information. If you send an email comment, your email
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the
internet. Please note that responses to this public comment request
containing any routine notice about the confidentiality of the
communication will be treated as public comments that may be made
available to the public notwithstanding the inclusion of the routine
notice.
The public may inspect the draft supporting statement and/or
comments received at 1617 Cole Boulevard, Building 17, Lakewood, CO
80401, during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call
ahead to 720-827-8912 to facilitate entry to the building. The public
may request an electronic copy of the draft supporting statement and/or
any comments received be sent via return email. Requests should be
emailed to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b1712161a0912085508140f143b0e081f1a551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="365a5f5b57445f451845594259764345525718515940">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Limaris Soto, Lands, Minerals, and
Geology, by phone at 720-827-8912 or email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#026e6b6f63706b712c716d766d42777166632c656d74"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85e9ece8e4f7ecf6abf6eaf1eac5f0f6e1e4abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>.
Individuals who use telecommunications devices for the deaf and hard of
hearing may call 711 to reach the Telecommunications Relay Service, 24
hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Significant Cave Nomination Application.
OMB Number: 0596-0244.
Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2024.
Type of Request: Extension without change to a currently approved
collection.
Abstract: The information covered in this request applies to caves
on Federal lands administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service. The Forest Service proposes to collect the information
in this request in accordance with the Federal Cave Resources
Protection Act (FCRPA) [Pub. L. 100-691, 107 Stat. 4546] and
regulations at 36 CFR 290 (Cave Resources Management) which require the
Secretary of Agriculture to identify and protect significant caves on
National Forest System lands.
The Forest Service must collect this information to comply with the
FCRPA (16 U.S.C. 4301-4310) and its implementing regulations at 36 CFR
290 that contain criteria for the identification of significant caves.
The information collection is also responsive to requirements of the 36
CFR part 290--Cave Management regulations that specify the process for
nomination of significant caves and assessment of whether the listed
criteria for a cave to be considered significant have been met. 36 CFR
290.3(a) states that significant cave nominations will be accepted by
the Forest Supervisor where the cave is located.
The Forest Service uses the information in a cave nomination to
determine if specified criteria are met for the nominated cave to be
listed as significant in accordance with the FCRPA and regulations at
36 CFR 290.3. The information is necessary for full compliance with
agencies' responsibilities to identify and protect significant caves
and their resources. Nominations are voluntary. The information
collected in the Significant Cave Nomination Worksheet includes:
<bullet> The name, address, and telephone number of the individual
or organization submitting the nomination. This allows us to confirm
the source of the information;
<bullet> The name of the cave, which is necessary for the listing
of caves and to ensure there are no duplications;
<bullet> The location of the cave, which is essential for
verification, management, and future planning purposes;
<bullet> The name of the agency and the administrative unit, which
is necessary to ensure that the application is forwarded to the
appropriate agency office;
<bullet> A discussion of how the cave meets the criteria, which is
the key aspect of the nomination, and is used to determine whether the
cave should be designated as significant;
<bullet> Studies, maps, research papers, and other supporting
documentation, which are important in the significance evaluation;
<bullet> The name, address, and telephone number of the individual
who is knowledgeable about the resources in the cave, which are
necessary in case the information in the nomination is unclear or there
is a need for additional information to complete the evaluation;
<bullet> The date that the nomination is submitted, which is
essential for tracking purposes; and
<bullet> The signature and title of the individual submitting the
nomination, which is necessary to confirm that it is an official
nomination.
The Forest Service collects the information from anyone who wishes
to nominate a cave to be considered significant. Caves can be nominated
by the public, Forest Service partners, other government agencies, and
Forest Service staff. The information collected is used to determine
whether a nominated cave meets specified criteria to be considered
significant per the FCRPA and 36 CFR 290.
Forest Service Manual 2880.43 states that the Forest Supervisor
must ensure that all caves within their jurisdictions are evaluated in
accordance with the FCRPA and 36 CFR 290 and make a determination of
significant caves nominated for such designation. Under the FCRPA the
Secretary shall request that the list of significant caves shall be
updated periodically, after consultation with appropriate private
sector interest, including cavers. If agencies did not collect cave
nominations, they might not become aware of potentially significant
caves' existence or might have insufficient information upon which to
base a judgment as to their significance. As a result, it is likely
that agencies would not be able to comply fully with their statutory
responsibilities to identify and protect significant caves
[[Page 85493]]
and their resources. The information is collected on occasion, which is
the minimum frequency necessary to comply with the statute.
Affected Public: Individuals and Households.
Estimate of Burden per Response: 11 hours.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 10.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 110.
Comment Is Invited
Comment is invited on: (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; (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; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (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.
All comments received in response to this notice, including names
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record.
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request for
Office of Management and Budget approval.
Christopher French,
Deputy Chief for National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2024-24996 Filed 10-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 28, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.