[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 251 (Wednesday, December 31, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80362-80363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-31071]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Notice of Intent: To Request an Extension and Revision of a 
Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA.

ACTION: Correction and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NRCS published in the Federal Register notice of October 22, 
2008 (73 FR 62949), a document stating ``Notice to Reinstate a 
Previously Approved Information Collection.'' This notice corrects the 
previously published document. In accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the 
intention of NRCS to request an extension for, and a revision to, the 
currently approved information collection, Volunteer Program--Earth 
Team. The collected information will help NRCS match the skills of 
individuals who apply for volunteer work that will further the Agency's 
mission. Information will be collected from potential volunteers who 
are at least 14 years of age.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received within 60 days after 
publication in the Federal Register to be assured of consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Contact Michele Eginoire, 
National Volunteer Coordinator, at (515) 289-0325, extension 102. 
Submit comments to Michele by fax at (515) 289-4561, or by e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Collection of this information is necessary 
to match volunteer assignments to Agency mission as required by Federal 
Personnel Manual Supplement 296-33, Subchapter 3. Agencies are 
authorized to recruit, train, and accept, with regard to Civil Service 
classification laws, rules or regulations, the services of individuals 
to serve without compensation. Volunteers may assist in any Agency 
program/project and may perform any activities that Agency employees 
are allowed. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. Persons 
interested in volunteering will have to write, call, e-mail, or visit 
an NRCS office, or visit the NRCS Web site at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/ to complete and submit the forms.
    Title: Volunteer Program--Earth Team.
    OMB Number: 0578-0024.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2009.
    Type of Request: Notice to Request for Extension and Revision of 
Currently Approved Information Collection.
    Abstract: NRCS-PER-001, Volunteer Application and NRCS-PER-003, 
Agreement for Sponsored Voluntary Services, are discontinued. The 
information collected on these forms has been added to the Forest 
Service collection packet, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
Control Number 0596-0080.
    Form NRCS-PER-002, Volunteer Interest and Placement Summary, is an 
optional form and assists the volunteer's supervisor in placing the 
volunteer in a position which is beneficial to the volunteer and the 
Agency. The form is placed in a volunteer ``case file'' and will be 
destroyed 3 years after the volunteer has completed service. In the 
event that the volunteer is injured, the ``case file'' will be 
transferred to an Official Personnel Folder (OPF).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Retirees, students, teachers, persons with 
disabilities, or senior citizens.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 25 hours.
    Form NRCS-PER-004, Time Sheet, is also an optional form and 
provides the volunteer or their supervisor a simplified method for 
tracking the volunteer's time. The form is placed in a volunteer ``case 
file'' and will be destroyed 3 years after the volunteer has completed 
service. In the event that the volunteer is injured, the ``case file'' 
will be transferred to an OPF.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 minute per response.
    Respondents: Retirees, students, teachers, persons with 
disabilities, or senior citizens.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,480.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 683 hours.

[[Page 80363]]

    Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed 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 those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. Comments may be sent to Michele Eginoire, 
National Earth Team Office, NRCS, 5140 Park Avenue, Suite C, Des 
Moines, Iowa 50321; telephone: (515) 289-0325, extension 102; fax: 
(515) 289-4561; e-mail: [email protected]. All comments 
received will be available for public inspection during regular 
business hours at the same address. All responses to this notice will 
be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments also will become a matter of public record.

    Signed in Washington, DC on December 12, 2008.
Arlen L. Lancaster,
Chief.
 [FR Doc. E8-31071 Filed 12-30-08; 8:45 am]
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