Federal Register: December 31, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 249)
DOCID: fr31de07-25 FR Doc E7-25408
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCID: fr31de07-25
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Information Collection; Foreign Travel Proposal
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before February 29, 2008 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the new information collection, Foreign Travel Proposal.
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Title: Foreign Travel Proposal.
OMB Number: 0596New.
Type of Request: New.
Abstract: The Forest Service is seeking approval to collect information from individuals traveling to foreign countries on behalf of the Agency. The collection of this information is necessary to facilitate timely issuance of foreign travel authorizations, including the release, issuance, and/or renewal of official United States government passports; issuance of necessary visas; and country clearance. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, International Programs Travel Section uses FS65001, Foreign Travel Proposal, to collect the information.
Information collected includes the traveler's destination, purpose of trip, and dates of travel. Also collected are name, address, contact telephone numbers, birth date and place, social security numbers, passport information, security clearance, as well as contacts at each destination and hotel information. Analysis of the information for accuracy is routine.
Use of the information provided by the traveler or their designee depends upon circumstances. Name, place of birth, and passport goes to each destination's United States embassy via a country clearance cable and is necessary to obtain the embassy's approval of travel. Security clearance is necessary to allow the traveler entry to specific areas within United States embassies abroad. The embassies use the destination information for contact purposes, and it is for the safety of the traveler.
Without collection of this information, the Forest Service cannot
provide support to international programs or other countries who have
requested assistance. Collection of this information occurs each time a
nonfederal traveler requests approval for foreign travel on behalf of
the Forest Service. The International Programs Travel Section does
maintain files beyond the end of each trip. Shredding of records
containing the collected information occurs upon the completion of the associated trip.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 15 minutes.
Type of Respondents: Personal services agreement employees, personal services contractors, contractors, and volunteers.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6.25 hours.
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 request for Office of Management and Budget approval.
Dated: December 17, 2007.
Abigail R. Kimbell,
Chief, Forest Service.
[FR Doc. E725408 Filed 122807; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341011P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Sandra Farber, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, International Programs, Travel Section, 540 6592973. Individuals who use TDD may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 18008778339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.