Information Collection; Volunteer Application and Agreement for Natural and Cultural Resources Agencies, 27825-27826 [2021-10910]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 98 (Monday, May 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27825-27826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10910]


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 98 / Monday, May 24, 2021 / Notices

[[Page 27825]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Information Collection; Volunteer Application and Agreement for 
Natural and Cultural Resources Agencies

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

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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 with revision of a currently approved 
information collection entitled, Volunteer Application for Natural and 
Cultural Resources Agencies.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before July 23, 2021 
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will 
be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Commenters are encouraged to submit comments by email, if 
possible. You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: Merlene Mazyck, Volunteers & Service, Forest 
Service, USDA, 201 14th St. SW, Washington, DC 20250-1125.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Forest Service, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250.
    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 request an electronic copy of the draft supporting 
statement and/or any comments received be sent via return email. 
Requests should be emailed to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Merlene Mazyck, Volunteers & Service, 
202-205-0650. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Information Collection; Volunteer Application and Agreement 
for Natural and Cultural Resources Agencies.
    OMB Number: 0596-0080.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2021.
    Type of Request: Extension with revisions of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Federal natural resource agencies are authorized to work 
with volunteers and volunteer organizations to plan, develop, maintain, 
and manage volunteer projects and service activities. In order to 
effectively engage volunteers across the country, participating 
agencies collect information, including personally identifiable 
information, from citizens and permanent residents who express interest 
and then agree to volunteer. Individuals under the age of 18 years must 
have written consent from a parent or guardian.
    Authorizing Legislation: Relevant laws and regulations include 
Public Law 92-300, Volunteers in the National Forest Act of 1972; 
Public Law 116-9, John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and 
Recreation Act; 16 U.S.C. 558a-d, Volunteers in the National Forests 
Program; 16 U.S.C. 583 j-4, Forest Foundation Volunteers; 16 U.S.C. 
1246, Administration and development of national trails system; 16 
U.S.C. 1250, Volunteer trails assistance; and 31 U.S.C. 3325 which 
authorizes payment of vouchers.
    Participating Agencies: Volunteer programs of the following natural 
resource management agencies are included:
     Department of Agriculture: U.S. Forest Service and Natural 
Resources Conservation Service;
     Department of Interior: 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 Defense: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and
     Department of Commerce: National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration--Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
    The Office of Management and Budget's volunteer 301 forms suite 
includes an application for the public to express interest in 
volunteering, an agreement form documenting conditions of engagement 
between the federal agency and the volunteer or volunteer group, and a 
group sign up form. The volunteer 301 suite of forms will expire 
October 31, 2021 and the Information Collection Request (ICR) is being 
transferred to the National Park Service (NPS). In accordance to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act, the information collection must be complete 
prior to the expiration date to ensure Agencies are able to utilize the 
forms if the NPS is unable to complete a new Volunteer forms suite.

Forms

    OF-301 Volunteer Application: Individuals interested in 
volunteering may access the National Federal volunteer opportunities 
website (https://www.volunteer.gov/s/), individual agency websites, 
and/or contact agencies to request a Volunteer Application (OF-301). 
Applicants provide name; address; telephone number; age; email address; 
preferred work categories; qualifications, skills, and experiences; 
citizenship status; indication of past volunteer work; interest in 
supervising volunteers; objectives for volunteering (optional); 
indication of physical limitations; available dates; preferred 
location(s); lodging preferences; interest in other federal agencies; 
and how they heard about volunteer opportunities. Information collected 
using this form assists agency volunteer coordinators and other 
personnel in matching volunteers with opportunities appropriate for an 
applicant's skills and physical condition and availability.

[[Page 27826]]

Signature of a parent or guardian is mandatory for applicants under 18 
years of age.
    OF-301a Volunteer Service Agreement: This form is used by 
participating natural resource agencies to document agreements for 
volunteer services between a Federal agency and individual or group 
volunteers, including international volunteers. Applicants provide 
name; address; telephone number; email address; date of birth; 
citizenship/residency status; ethnicity, race, and gender (optional); 
veteran status (optional); indication of disability (optional); and 
emergency contact information. Signature of a parent of guardian is 
mandatory for applicants under 18 years of age.
    OF-301b Volunteer Group Sign-Up: This form is used by participating 
resource agencies to document awareness and understanding by 
individuals in groups about the volunteer activities between a Federal 
agency and a partner organization with group participants. The partner 
organization provides project title, group name, and group contact 
information. Applicants provide volunteer names, signature, telephone 
number, email address, and willingness to be photographed. Signature of 
a parent or guardian is mandatory for applications under 18 years of 
age.
    Affected Public: Individuals, partner organizations including 
businesses and non-profit organizations, and/or state, local or tribal 
government.
    Estimate of Burden per Response: 15 minutes per form.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 500,000.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 125,000 hours.
    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 
forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget for approval.

Robert Sanchez,
Acting Deputy Director, Recreation, Heritage & Volunteer Services.
[FR Doc. 2021-10910 Filed 5-21-21; 8:45 am]
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