Overview
Title
Information Collection; Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. Forest Service wants to hear from people about a plan that helps small businesses buy tree wood from forests. They check every few years to make sure small business rules are fair, and they're asking for ideas to make the program even better before April 26, 2021.
Summary AI
The Forest Service of the USDA is inviting public comments regarding the continuation of a current information collection program, known as the Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program. This initiative aims to ensure that small businesses have the opportunity to purchase timber from the National Forest System. Every five years, the Forest Service evaluates and adjusts the amount of timber reserved for small businesses, considering factors like manufacturing capability and business size changes. The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and ways to enhance the process of this information collection by April 26, 2021.
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 with no revision of a currently approved information collection, Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program; Appeal Procedures on Recomputation of Shares.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register details the Forest Service's request for public comments regarding the continuation of the Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program, specifically focusing on the procedures for appealing the recomputation of timber shares. This program is vital for ensuring that small businesses have equitable opportunities to purchase timber from national forests, with adjustments made every five years based on various factors such as manufacturing capability and business size changes.
General Summary
This notice is part of the USDA's efforts to collect feedback on an ongoing information collection program aimed at supporting small businesses engaged in timber purchasing. The document outlines the process for appealing decisions affecting timber shares set aside for small businesses and invites comments on several aspects, including the necessity of the information collection and potential ways to reduce the burden on respondents. Public feedback is requested by April 26, 2021, and this input will contribute to the administrative process of updating and refining the program.
Significant Issues or Concerns
There are a few critical issues and concerns identified in the document. Firstly, the procedures for appealing recomputation decisions appear complex and could be burdensome for small businesses, especially for those without legal expertise or administrative support. This complexity may discourage participation or lead to mistakes in the appeal process.
Secondly, the lack of a detailed discussion on transparency measures or audits for verifying recomputations could raise questions about potential bias or errors, which might favor particular companies. Additionally, the communication regarding confidentiality of comments is unclear, potentially discouraging public engagement due to privacy concerns.
Furthermore, the estimated burden on respondents, calculated at nine hours per response, seems excessive for the tasks described. This indicates a need for evaluating how to reduce this burden, potentially through streamlined processes or better use of technology.
Impact on the Public
The document's implications for the general public relate primarily to engagement opportunities in the administrative processes of federal programs. Improved transparency and simplified procedures could foster greater trust and participation among stakeholders, including small businesses and the communities they support.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For small businesses, the program is particularly significant as it ensures access to timber resources that might otherwise be dominated by larger companies. However, the complexities of the appeals process and the perceived high burden of compliance could disadvantage some small enterprises. Simplified procedures and clarified guidelines would positively impact these stakeholders by making participation more accessible.
Conversely, if the issues identified are not addressed, small businesses may face difficulties in navigating the program, potentially limiting their ability to benefit fully from the resources intended for them. Ensuring equitable access to these resources is crucial for maintaining the economic vitality of small businesses dependent on timber sales.
Overall, while the continuation and adjustment of the program aim to support small businesses, addressing the identified concerns will be key to optimizing its fairness and effectiveness. Public feedback will play a critical role in shaping these adjustments to provide balanced opportunities for all stakeholders involved.
Issues
• The document does not specify any transparency measures or audits for verifying the correctness of recomputations of timber shares, which could lead to potential bias or errors in favor of particular companies.
• The abstract and summary sections are largely redundant, both describing the information collection extension with no revision; condensing these sections could improve clarity.
• The procedures for appealing recomputation decisions are complex and require specific steps that could be burdensome for small businesses without legal or administrative support.
• The communication language around confidentiality in comments is unclear, which might discourage public participation due to privacy concerns.
• The notice requires comments by a specific deadline without mentioning possible consequences for late submissions, potentially causing confusion.
• The estimated burden per response (9 hours) and total annual burden (720 hours) seem high for the task described, suggesting a need for evaluation on reducing this burden.
• The text discusses regulations and laws (e.g., National Forest Management Act, Small Business Act) without explaining their relevance, making it difficult for individuals without specific legal training to fully understand the implications.