[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 211 (Monday, November 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58702-58703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29262]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Intent To Request a Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 
5 CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) intention to 
request a revision to a currently approved information collection, 
Volunteer Program--Earth Team.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 4, 1999 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Marcella Graham, Agency OMB 
Clearance Officer, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, P.O. 
Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013-2890, (202) 720-5699.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Volunteer Program--Earth Team.
    OMB Number: 0578-0024.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: To continue, with change, a currently approved 
collection for which approval will expire.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS) is to work in partnership with American 
people to conserve and sustain our natural resources. The

[[Page 58703]]

purpose of the Volunteer Program--Earth Team is to expand NRCS services 
by using volunteer time, talent and energy to help accomplish the 
mission. Earth Team Volunteers are able to perform any job that NRCS 
employees perform and are provided Workman's Compensation and Tort 
Liability Coverage.
    Information collected is used by NRCS to ensure proper 
documentation of volunteer time and efforts. NRCS-PER-001, Volunteer 
Application, NRCS-PER-003, Agreement for Sponsored Voluntary Services 
(for groups), serve as documents of record for personnel information 
used to verify participation in the Earth Team and support claims for 
Workers Compensation and Tort. NRCS-PER-002, Volunteer Interest and 
Placement Summary is an optional form, designed to determine the 
appropriate placement of volunteers. NRCS-PER-004, Time and Attendance, 
provides a simplified format for documenting actual hours of service by 
volunteers.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2 minutes for the NRCS-PER-001 (65 
percent of new volunteers), 45 minutes for NRCS-PER-002 (1 percent of 
new volunteers), 45 minutes for NRCS-PER-003 (35 percent of new 
volunteers/10 volunteers averaged in group), and 1 minute for the NRCS-
PER-004 (35 percent of total volunteers in groups) + (65 percent of 
total individual volunteers averaging submission 6 times per year).
    Respondents: Individual and groups.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,100.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1.2 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Marcella Graham, the Agency OMB 
Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5699.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agencys' estimate of 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used: (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechancial, or other technologic collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be 
sent to: Marcella Graham, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, P.O. Box 2890, 
Washington, D.C. 20013-2890.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval.
    All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC on October 27, 1998.
P. Dwight Holman,
Deputy Chief for Management, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 98-29262 Filed 10-30-98; 8:45 am]
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