[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49433-49434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20215]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service

[Docket No. NRCS-2011-0019]


Notice To Request an Extension and Revision of Currently Approved 
Information Collection and Request for Comments.

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service.

ACTION: Notice to Request an Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) published in 
the Federal Register of October 22, 2008, a ``Notice to Reinstate a 
Previously Approved Information Collection'' for volunteer workers (73 
FR 62949). 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 currently approved information collection, 
Volunteer Program-Earth Team. This information collection is set to 
expire on July 31, 2012. NRCS is seeking that it be extended to July 
31, 2015, for the Volunteer Interest and Placement Summary form and the 
Time Sheet form. The collected information will help NRCS to match the 
skills of individuals who are applying for volunteer work that will 
further the agency's mission. Information will be collected from 
potential volunteers who are 14 years of age or older.

DATES: Effective Date: This is effective August 10, 2011.
    Comment Date: Submit comments on or before October 11, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted, identified by Docket Number 
NRCS-2011-0019, using any of the following methods:
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: http://
regulations,gov. Follow the instructions for sending comments 
electronically.
     Mail: Attention: Michele Eginoire, National Earth Team 
Office, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5140 Park Avenue, Suite 
C, Des Moines, Iowa 50321.
     Fax: Attention: Michele Eginoire, (515) 290-0325.
     E-mail: [email protected].
All comments received will become a matter of public record and will be 
posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Eginoire, National Volunteer 
Coordinator, at (515) 289-0325, extension 102; Fax: (515) 289-4561; or 
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 which agency employees 
are allowed to do. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. Persons 
interested in volunteering must write, call, e-mail, visit an NRCS 
office, or NRCS Web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/. The forms are available electronically and can be 
completed electronically.

Description of Information Collection

    Title: Volunteer Program--Earth Team; OMB Number: 0578-0024;
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2012 .
    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.
    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 volunteer's supervisor a simplified method 
for tracking the

[[Page 49434]]

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 official Personnel Folder.
    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.
    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.
    All comments received will be available for public inspection 
during regular business hours at the National Earth Team Office, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5140 Park Avenue, Suite C, Des 
Moines, Iowa 50321.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments also 
will become a matter of public record.

    Signed this 2nd day of August 2011, in Washington, DC.
Dave White,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-20215 Filed 8-9-11; 8:45 am]
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