1004-0058_Supporting Statement - Re-submission July 2021

Re-Submission – July 2021

u.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEment

paperwork reduction act submission

Supporting Statement A

Forest Management Decision Protest Process and

Log Export and Substitution (43 CFR Parts 5000 and 5420)

OMB Control Number 1004-0058

Terms of Clearance: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provided no terms of clearance when it last approved the collections of information under this OMB control number in February 2021 (See OMB Notice of Action (NOA) dated February 12, 2021). On February 12, 2021, OMB requested that the BLM withdraw the information collection request (ICR) submitted in association with the final rule titled, “Forest Management Decision Protest Process and Timber Sale Administration” indicating that the BLM should resubmit ICR once the new BLM leadership had a change to review and approve the content as contained therein. The OMB action on that ICR was “Withdraw and continue”. Since that OMB action, the new BLM leadership has determined that it supports the underlying final rule as well as this related ICR.

Abstract: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) collects the information from respondents in order to determine if they are qualified by statute to purchase Federal timber resources originating from public lands managed by the BLM.

Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.

In connection with our final rule (RIN 1004-AE61, “Forest Management Decision Protest Process and Timber Sale Administration”), the BLM revised OMB Control Number 1004-0058 pertaining to its regulations for protests of forest management decisions and the administration of the timber sale process. That final rule revised 43 CFR parts 5000, 5400, 5420, 5440, 5450, 5460, 5470, and 5500. Portions of that final rule amended the currently approved information collections at 43 CFR 5003.3 and 43 CFR 5424.1, and OMB approved these revisions in February 2021 (see question 2 below). Since OMB last approved the collections of information under OMB control number 1004-0058, the BLMs has determined that one of the approved forms (Form 5450-017) lacks utility and can be discontinued from use.

The BLM uses the information to:

• Enforce statutory restrictions on:

1. exports of unprocessed timber purchased from Federal lands west of the 100^th meridian in the contiguous 48 states;

2. the use of such timber in substitution for exported timber originating from private lands; and

3. the purchase of such timber by a person who has exported such timber during the preceding 24-month period;

• Collect disposition data (i.e. how much timber is harvested or processed by small businesses) that help the Small Business Administration establish targets for the BLM to set aside a percentage of sales that must be offered exclusively to small businesses for certain geographical areas; and

The following authorities necessitate this collection of information:

• Section 15 of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 644;

• The Timber Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief Act, 16 U.S.C. 620 – 620j;

• The Materials Act, 30 U.S.C. 601 – 604;

• The Oregon and California Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 2601;

• 13 CFR 125.2(c); and

• 43 CFR parts 5000 and 5420.

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. Be specific. If this collection is a form or a questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.

The information collection requirements contained in 43 CFR 5003.3 and 43 CFR 5424.1 are explained below.

43 CFR 5003.3: The BLM collects information at 43 CFR 5003.3 in a non-form format. This rule revises § 5003.3 to eliminate the protest process and replace it with a requirement to provide an opportunity for public participation prior to issuing a forest management decision.

Public Participation 43 CFR 5003.3 – Revisions to § 5003 remove the current protest process and replaces it with a requirement to provide an opportunity for public participation as described below:

(a) 5003.3(a) currently authorizes protests of a forest management decision to be filed within 15 days of the publication of a notice of decision or notice of sale in a newspaper of general circulation. The final rule replaces the protest process with a requirement to provide an opportunity for public participation prior to issuing a forest management decision under § 5003.2.

(b) The Final deletes § 5003.3(b).

(c) The Final deletes § 5003.3(c).

(d) The Final deletes § 5003.3(d).

(e) The Final deletes § 5003.3(e).

(f) The Final deletes § 5003.3(f).

43 CFR 5424.1: Revisions to § 5424.1 update the regulation in accordance with the Forest Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief Act of 1990, as amended.

The BLM uses two forms to collect the information described at 43 CFR 5424.1.

Export Determination (Form 5450-17) – Revisions to §§ 5424.1(a)(1) and (a)(2) update the reporting requirement for purchasers and affiliates to report the export of private timber from within 1 year to 2 years.

The BLM uses this form to determine whether Federal timber has been substituted for exported unprocessed private timber.

In revised Form 5450-17 (Export Determination), the BLM requires applicants to disclose:

1. The location of the processing facility to determine the tributary area;

2. An answer (yes or no) to the question, “Have you exported private timber from lands tributary to the above processing facility within the last 24 months?”

3. If the answer is “yes” to the above question, the date of the last export sale;

4. The names of affiliates (as defined at 43 CFR 5424.0-5) who have exported private timber from lands tributary to the above processing facility within the last 24 months and date of last export sale;

5. The name of the firm for identification purposes;

6. Signature of signing officer;

7. Title of signing officer; and

8. Date.

Log Scale and Disposition of Timber Removed Report (Form 5460-15)

When logs are sold, in order to determine the basis for a sale price in a standard way, the logs are "scaled" which means they are measured, identified as to species, and deductions for defects assigned to produce a net volume of merchantable wood. The Log Scale and Disposition of Timber Removed Report (Form 5460-15) requires purchasers to disclose:

1. The name of the processing facility where title to Federal timber was transferred;

2. For each processing facility and each tree species: the species, volume units, gross volume, volume by disposition category, and cull-log volume;

3. A calculation showing a total for each and all processors for the timber data provided in (b);

4. Selection indicating by whom the timber was scaled;

5. The scaling methods/rules used;

6. An opportunity to provide clarifying comments;

7. Signatures, titles, business addresses, and signature dates of the certifying officials acknowledging the certification statement; and

8. The name, title, and corporate seal of the witnessing corporate officer acknowledging authority of the corporate certifying official, when appropriate.

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 and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements.

Forms 5450-17 is electronically available to the public in fillable, printable format on BLM’s Forms Web site at http://www.blm.gov/noc/st/en/business/eForms.html. A respondent may choose to submit either of these forms electronically by scanning and then emailing them to the appropriate BLM office. Form 5460-15 is electronically available to the BLM in non-fillable, printable format on BLM’s internal website. The BLM provides printed copies of the form for completion by all timber-sale purchasers.

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.-

For the Export and Substitution data, there is no duplication of this information with other programs. This information comes from private company records and is unique to each company and cannot be obtained from another source. Each purchaser or affiliate is the only source of its own timber-volume disposition.

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

All purchasers of BLM timber are required to complete the forms including small businesses and business that qualify as such under Small Business Administration. We limit the required information to the minimum necessary to maintain a complete and accurate record of export restrictions and timber disposition on BLM timber sales, and whether there was a substitution of Federal timber for exported private timber. Each form is collected once per timber sale contract.

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 BLM does not collect the information, it would be impossible to determine if there was any substitution in violation of the regulations and contract terms, and the BLM would not be able to evaluate the market conditions affecting small business entities.

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;

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

* requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

* requiring respondents 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;

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

* 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

* requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, 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.

No special circumstances require the collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines. We do not exceed the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5(d).

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 in response to the PRA statement associated with the collection over the past three years, 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 recordkeeping, 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 three 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.

On June 8, 2020, we published a proposed regulation (RIN 1004-AE61, “Forest Management Decision Protest Process and Timber Sale Administration” 85 FR 35049). The proposed rule solicited comments for a period of 60 days. We did not receive any comments related to information collection in response to the proposed rule. Additionally, the BLM did not receive any comments in response to the final rule published on December 12, 2020 (85 FR 82359).

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

We do not provide payments or gifts to the respondents.

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

We provide no assurance of confidentiality.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and 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.

We do not require respondents to answer questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

* Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

* If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.

* Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here.

Under the final rule, we anticipate any changes to the recently approved burden estimates under this collection. We anticipate receiving 300 annual responses totaling 300 annual burden hours. The total dollar value of the annual burden hours is approximately $26,481 (rounded).

We estimate the hourly cost burdens for respondents using Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2019 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. As shown below in Tables 12-1 and 12-2, we multiplied the mean hourly wage for each occupational code by 1.43 to account for benefits in accordance Bureau of Labor (BLS) News Release USDL-20-1232, June 18, 2020, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—March 2020.

Table 12-1: Hourly Cost Calculation for Forms 5450-17, 5460-15, and 5460-17

Position and BLS Occupation Code	Mean Hourly Wage	Hourly Rate with Benefits
Purchasing Manager, 11-3061	$61.73	$88.27

Hour and cost burdens to respondents include time spent for researching, preparing, and submitting information. Table 12-2, below, shows our estimates of the annual hour and hour-related cost burdens. The estimated hourly wage was calculated as shown in Table 12-1.

The frequency of response for each of the forms is “on occasion,” and is based upon the cost for each individual timber contract a purchaser is awarded, which may run for a few months or up to three years. The annual rate is entirely dependent on the number of contracts the BLM issues. The BLM provides the timber purchaser a copy of the forms at the beginning of the contract term and notifies the purchaser that the information is required at the end of the contract period. The forms use the Purchasing Manager hourly wage in the cost estimate.

Table 12-2: Estimates of Annual Hour and Cost Burdens

Requirement	Average Number of Annual Respondents	Average Number of Responses Each	Average Number of Annual Responses	Average Completion Time per Response (hours)	Estimated Annual Burden Hours	Hourly Rate	$ Value of Annual Burden Hours
Export Determination, 43 CFR 5424.1 (Form 5450-17)
Private Sector	100	1	100	1	100	88.27	8,827.00
Log Scale and Disposition of Timber Removed Report (Form 5460-15)
Private Sector	100	1	100	1	100	88.27	8,827.00
Totals:	200		200		200		$ 17,654

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual non-hour cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected in item 12.)

* The cost estimate 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. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information (including filing fees paid for form processing). Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

* If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

* Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There is no non-hour burden estimate associated with this information collection. Applicants incur no annual capital or start-up costs, no recurring annual costs to prepare or respond to the information collection, and no fees.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

We estimate the total annual cost to the Federal Government to administer this information collection is $11,794. To calculate salary costs, we used Office of Personnel Management Salary Table 2020-POR to obtain the most up-to-date wages for staff. In accordance with BLS News Release USDL-20-1232, June 18, 2020, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—March 2020, we multiplied the salaries by 1.59 to calculate the fully burdened wages for each staff member. We estimated the percentage of time spent by each staff person annually to administer this information collection.

Table 14-1 – Weighted Hourly Cost Calculations

Position/Cost	Grade/ Step	Hourly Rate	Fully Burdened Rates (x1.59)	% of Time on Collection	Weighted Cost	Total Weighted Cost (See Table 14-2)
Processing Forms
	GS-11/05	$ 37.09	$ 58.97	100%	$ 58.97	$ 58.97

The estimated processing time is based on the BLM's experience and includes comparisons of the collected data with a review of BLM’s contract-activity monitoring reports including the transportation and disposition of logs. The estimated hourly wage with benefits is shown at Table 14-1, above. Table 14-2, below, shows the annualized Federal costs for each aspect of the collection.

Table 14-2 — Estimated Annual Cost to the Government

Type of Response	Number of Responses	Hours Per Response	Total Hours	Weighted Hourly Cost	Total Cost
Export Determination, 43 CFR 5424.1 (Form 5450-17)
	100	1	100	$ 58.97	$ 5,897
Log Scale and Disposition of Timber Removed Report (Form 5460-15)
	100	1	100	58.97	5,897
Totals:	200	—	200	—	$ 11,794

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.

The BLM is requesting to discontinue the Form 5460-17. The BLM has determined that the Form 5460-17 no longer has utility for the BLM for the purposes of Timber Export Substitution monitoring. For that reason, we would like to retire the form. The removal of this form is estimated to result in an annual burden reduction of 100 hours.

The BLM made a change in the final rule by eliminating the protest process in §5003.3 and replacing it with a requirement to provide an opportunity for public comment and participation. The resulting burden changes are a reduction of 25 annual responses and 250 annual burdens.

Additionally, the BLM is making a no material non-substantive change to the Form 5450-17. The revised form does not request any new or different information. Question 1 of the form has been revised to further clarify that a respondent is not eligible to purchase a Federal timber until at least 24 months from the date for which they last exported unprocessed private timber, or if a sourcing area is established, have you exported private timber from lands tributary to the above processing facility. This is not a new requirement. The BLM has determined that this revision serves only to enhance clarity.

Table 15-1 -- Summary of Burden Changes

	Annual Responses	Annual Burden Hours	Annual Cost Burden
Current Burden Inventory	325	550	$0
Requested Burden	200	200	$0
Difference	-125	-100	$0
Program Change	-125	-100	0
Due to New Statue	0	0	0
Due to Agency Discretion	-125	-100	0
Violation (Lapsed or Unapproved Collection)	0	0	0
Adjustment	0	0	$0

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

We have no plans to publish the information in this 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.

We will display the expiration date of the OMB approval on the relevant forms. Additionally, the OMB control number and expiration date available at www.reginfo.gov.

18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."

There are no exceptions to the certification requirements listed in 5 CFR 1320.9.

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