Notice2024-19201
Agency Information Collection Activities; Administration of Volunteer.gov Website and Associated Volunteer Activities
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
August 27, 2024
Issuing agencies
Interior Department
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior (Interior) are proposing to renew an information collection with minor revisions.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 166 (Tuesday, August 27, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68642-68644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19201]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
[PPWOIRADA1/PRCRFRFR6.XZ0000/PR.RIRAD1801.00.1; OMB Control Number
1093-0006]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Administration of
<a href="http://Volunteer.gov">Volunteer.gov</a> Website and Associated Volunteer Activities
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Information Collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior (Interior) are
proposing to renew an information collection with minor revisions.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
September 26, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice to <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this particular
information collection by selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for
Public Comments'' or by using the search function. Please provide a
copy of your comments to Nicholas Solomon, 1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240; or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#711f1812191e1d10022e021e1d1e1c1e1f311f01025f161e07"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b1dfd8d2d9deddd0c2eec2dedddedcdedff1dfc1c29fd6dec7">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 1093-0006 in the subject line of your
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information
about this ICR, contact Nicholas Solomon by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2846414b404744495b775b4744474547466846585b064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d5bbbcb6bdbab9b4a68aa6bab9bab8babb95bba5a6fbb2baa3">[email protected]</span></a>, or by telephone at 202-604-1727. Individuals
in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have
a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United
States should use the relay services offered within their country to
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.
You may also view the ICR at <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we
provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an
opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing
collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our
information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting
burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection
requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.
A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on
March 14, 2024 (89 FR 18665). No comments were received.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other
Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are
especially interested in public comment addressing the following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this 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) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. Before including your address, phone number, email
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you
should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal
identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we
will be able to do so.
Abstract: Various laws, statutes, and regulations, to include the
Volunteers in the Parks Act of 1969 (54 U.S.C. 102301), Public Lands
Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1721 et. seq.), the Outdoor Recreation Authority
(16 U.S.C. 4601), Volunteers in the National Forests Program (16 U.S.C.
558 a-d), and the Forest Foundation Volunteers Act (16 U.S.C. 583j),
authorize Federal land management agencies to work with volunteers,
youth, and partner organizations to plan, develop, maintain, and manage
projects and service activities on public lands and adjacent projects
throughout the nation. We use volunteers, youth programs, and
partnerships to aid in disaster response, interpretive functions,
visitor services, conservation measures and development, research and
development, recreation, and or other activities as allowed by an
agency's policy and regulations. Providing, collecting, and exchanging
written and electronic information is required from potential and
selected program participants of all ages so they can access
opportunities and benefits provided by agencies guidelines. Those under
the age of 18 years must have written consent from a parent or guardian
to participate in volunteer activities.
[[Page 68643]]
These forms, available for prospective volunteers to complete
electronically or as paper forms, serve two functions:
Recruiting potential volunteers, and
Formalizing agreements between current volunteers and the agencies
with which they are volunteering.
The customer relationship management web-based portal,
<a href="http://Volunteer.gov">Volunteer.gov</a>, is the agencies' response to meeting the public's
request for improved digital customer services to access and apply for
engagement opportunities. Under one security platform parameter, the
<a href="http://Volunteer.gov">Volunteer.gov</a> website provides prospective and current program
participants the ability to establish an account for electronic
submission of program applications and to obtain status of applications
and enrollments. Current functionality provides information digitally
on benefits and requirements and facilitates improved tracking of
volunteer service hours. As field level programs transition to using
<a href="http://Volunteer.gov">Volunteer.gov</a>, these data points may be tracked either manually or
digitally and are accessible from agency volunteer program
coordinators.
This information collection specifically minimizes the burden on
the respondents. While electronic records provide a means to streamline
data collection and allow participant access to track benefits and
control the sharing of their data, the participating agencies will
continue to provide accessible paper versions of the volunteer forms
upon request and in special circumstances where the digital alternative
is not possible.
Participating Agencies
Department of the Interior: All Interior offices and units,
including National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau
of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and U.S.
Geological Survey.
Department of Agriculture: U.S. Forest Service and Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
Department of Defense: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Department of Commerce: National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration--Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
Common Forms
Form OF-301--Volunteer Application: Individuals interested in
volunteering may access the <a href="http://Volunteer.gov">Volunteer.gov</a> website to complete an on-
line application on the <a href="http://Volunteer.gov">Volunteer.gov</a> website. Alternatively, they may
contact any agency listed above to request a Volunteer Application
(Form OF-301). We collect the following information from applicants via
Form OF-301:
<bullet> Name and contact information (address, telephone number,
and email address);
<bullet> Date of birth;
<bullet> Preferred work categories;
<bullet> Interests;
<bullet> Citizenship status;
<bullet> Available dates and preferred location;
<bullet> Physical limitations; and
<bullet> Lodging preferences.
Information collected using this form or <a href="http://Volunteer.gov">Volunteer.gov</a> assists
agency volunteer coordinators and other personnel in matching
volunteers with agency opportunities appropriate for an applicant's
skills, physical condition, and availability.
Form OF-301A--Volunteer Service Agreement: We use this form to
establish agreements for volunteer services between Federal agencies
and individual or group volunteers, to include eligible international
volunteers. We require the signature of parents or guardians for all
applicants under 18 years of age. We collect the following information
from volunteers via Form OF-301A:
<bullet> Name and contact information (address, telephone number,
and email address);
<bullet> Date of birth (proposed new data field);
<bullet> Citizenship information; and,
<bullet> Emergency contact information.
Form OF-301A describes the service a volunteer will perform, and
asks a volunteer to confirm their understanding of the purpose of the
volunteer program, their fitness and ability to perform the duties as
described, and whether they consent to being photographed.
Form OF-301B--Volunteer Group Sign-up: We use this form to document
awareness and understanding by adult individuals in groups about the
volunteer activities between a Federal agency and a partner
organization with group participants, and accompanies the Form OF-301a.
We collect the following information from volunteers via Form OF-301b:
<bullet> Name and contact information (address, telephone number,
and email address);
<bullet> Month and year of birth;
<bullet> Confirmation of understanding of the purpose of the
volunteer program;
<bullet> Fitness and ability to perform the duties as described;
and
<bullet> Whether they consent to being photographed.
Each participating agency must request OMB approval of, and report
their own burden associated with, the use of common forms OF-301, OF-
301A, and OF-301B in order to be authorized to participate in this
information collection. Interior will not assume the burden for any
agencies other than its own bureaus and offices that participate in the
volunteer program.
Revisions
Minor revisions are being proposed for the forms to correct
grammatical mistakes, provide clarity for users, and to remove
unnecessary requests for information. All revisions proposed are based
on participating agency and volunteer input. A summary of those
revisions is below.
OF 301 (Volunteer Service Application)
Note: Optional. Volunteers use this to express general
interest, not to apply to a specific volunteer opportunity.
<bullet> Title: Remove ``-NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES'' from the
title, resulting in the title of ``Volunteer Service Application''
<bullet> Burden Statement: Correct grammar
<bullet> Privacy Act Statement: Correct grammar
OF 301a (Volunteer Service Agreement)
Note: individual volunteers use this to apply and agree to a
specific volunteer opportunity.
<bullet> Title: Remove ``-NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES'' from the
title, resulting in the title of ``VOLUNTEER SERVICE AGREEMENT''
<bullet> Box 4: Correct grammar
<bullet> Box 12c.: Updating to ``Military affiliation (Select one):
Active Duty, Veteran, None''
<bullet> Box 27: Correct grammar
<bullet> Box 28: Add clarifying language ``(Last, First)''
<bullet> Box 45: Remove Box ``45. Total Hours Completed''
<bullet> Box 46: Update Box number to ``45.''
<bullet> Privacy Act Statement: Correct grammar
OF 301b (Volunteer Sign-up Form for Groups)
Note: volunteers in a group use this to agree to a specific
volunteer opportunity.
<bullet> Title: Remove ``Natural & Cultural Resources'' from the title,
resulting in the title of ``VOLUNTEER SERVICE AGREEMENT--Volunteer
Sign-up Form for Groups''
<bullet> Instructions: Correct grammar
<bullet> Burden Statement: Correct grammar
<bullet> Privacy Act Statement: Correct grammar
[[Page 68644]]
<bullet> Footer: Adjusted page numbers to allow for multiple copies of
the second page to be printed.
Title of Collection: Administration of <a href="http://Volunteer.gov">Volunteer.gov</a> website and
Associated Volunteer Activities.
OMB Control Number: 1093-0006.
Form Number: OF-301, OF-301A, and OF-301B.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals and private sector
(cooperating associations and partner organizations) interested in
volunteer opportunities.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 526,775.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 526,775.
Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 5 minutes to 15
minutes, depending on activity.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 99,109.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: Typically once per year.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: There are no non-hour
cost burdens associated with this information collection.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Jeffrey Parrillo,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-19201 Filed 8-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4334-63-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 27, 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.