[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 28 (Monday, February 11, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3139-3140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-01811]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Information Collection Request for Volunteer Program--Earth Team

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is requesting comments from all 
interested individuals and organizations on an extension and a revision 
of a currently approved information collection associated with 
Volunteer Program--Earth Team. The Volunteer Interest and Placement 
Summary and the Timesheet forms are used by the respondents. The 
information NRCS collects on the forms is used to match the skills of 
individuals, who are 14 years of age or older and interested in 
volunteering for opportunities that will further NRCS's mission.

APPLICABLE DATES: We will consider comments that we receive by April 
12, 2019.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. In your 
comments, include OMB Control Number 0578-0024. You may submit comments 
through the Federal eRulemaking Portal website: http://www.regulations.gov via docket number NRCS-2018-0011. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments electronically.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to the 
collection activities or to request a copy of the information 
collection, contact Alan Benge, Program Specialist, NRCS Distribution 
Center/Earth, USDA Farm Production and Conservation, 4407 121st Street, 
Urbandale, IA 50323, (515) 776-3846, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Volunteer Program--Earth Team.
    OMB Number: 0578-0024.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2019.
    Type of Request: Revision.
    Abstract: NRCS is collecting information from individuals who are 
interested in volunteering to work with NRCS. The information will be 
used by NRCS to assign the volunteer to an appropriate position, and to 
track their volunteer time. Collection of this information is necessary 
to match volunteers with NRCS assignments as authorized by section 1526 
of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1981 (Pub. L. 97-98). NRCS is 
authorized to recruit, train, and accept (following Civil Service 
classification laws, rules, or regulations) individuals to serve 
without compensation. Subject to certain conditions, most volunteers 
may assist in agency programs or projects, and may perform activities 
that the employees may perform. The two forms Volunteer Interest and 
Placement Summary Forms, NRCS-PER-002, and Timesheet Form, NRCS-PER-
004, are used to collect information from the individuals.
    The timesheet is an optional form and provides the volunteer or 
volunteer's 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 the volunteer is injured while engaged in volunteer activities 
and claims workman's compensation, the ``case file'' will be 
transferred to an Official Personnel Folder.
    The information collection burden estimates have been updated. 
There were no other revisions required.
    Estimate of Average Time to Respond: Public reporting burden for 
this collection of information is estimated to average 4 minutes per 
response.
    Type of Respondents: Retirees, students, teachers, or senior 
citizens.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 7,120.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.5.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 14,440.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,010.80 hours.
    We are requesting comments on all aspects of this information 
collection to help us to:
    (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of NRCS, including whether the 
information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the 
collection

[[Page 3140]]

of information, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) 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 responses received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public records. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for Office 
of Management and Budget approval.

Matt Lohr,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-01811 Filed 2-8-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-16-P