2024-01340. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an information collection with revisions.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before February 23, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of publication of this notice at https://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. Please provide a copy of your comments to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803 (mail); or by email to [e-mail]. Please reference “1018–0176” in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [e-mail], or by telephone at (703) 358–2503. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all information collections require approval under the PRA. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

On March 10, 2023, we published in the Federal Register (88 FR 15063) a notice of our intent to request that OMB approve this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on May 9, 2023. In an effort to increase public awareness of, and participation in, our public commenting processes associated with information collection requests, the Service also published the Federal Register notice on Regulations.gov (Docket FWS–HQ–NCTC–2023–0007) to provide the public with an additional method to submit comments (in addition to the typical [e-mail] email and U.S. mail submission methods). We did not receive any comments in response to that notice.

On August 18, 2023, we published in the Federal Register (88 FR 56644) a notice to extend the comment period for this renewal. In that notice, we solicited comments for an additional 60 days, ending on October 17, 2023. We also published that Federal Register notice on Regulations.gov (reopening the comment period in the original Docket No. FWS–HQ–NCTC–2023–0007) to provide the public with an additional opportunity to submit comments (in addition to the typical [e-mail] email and U.S. mail submission methods). We received one comment, which did not address the information collection requirements. No response to that comment is required.

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format.

We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following:

(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility;

(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this 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) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of response.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Abstract: The Service offers eligible Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander high school students the opportunity to apply for the Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress (Congress). The mission of the Congress is to develop future conservation leaders with the skills, knowledge, and tools to address environmental change and conservation challenges to better serve their schools and home communities. The Congress supports and operates under the following authorities:

• Executive Order (E.O.) 13175, “Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments” (November 6, 2000);
• E.O. 13515, “Increasing Participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Federal Programs” (October 14, 2009);
• E.O. 13592, “Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities” (December 2, 2011);
• Public Law 116–9, Section 9003, “John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act” (March 12, 2019);
• 16 U.S.C. 1727b, Indian Youth Service Corps;
• White House Memorandum on Government-to-Government Relationships with Tribal Governments (September 23, 2004);
• Secretary's Order (S.O.) 3206, “American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act,” issued jointly by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce (June 5, 1997);
• S.O. 3317, “Department of the Interior Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes” (December 1, 2011);
• S.O. 3335, “Reaffirmation of the Federal Trust Responsibility to Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and Individual Indian Beneficiaries” (August 20, 2014); and
• The Service's Native American Policy (510 FW 1), published January 20, 2016.

The following Federal partners assist and support the Service's administration of the Congress:

• The U.S. Department of the Interior—

—Bureau of Indian Affairs;

—Bureau of Land Management;

—National Park Service; and

—United States Geological Survey;

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture—U.S. Forest Service;
• The U.S. Department of Commerce—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency;
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and
• The Environmental Protection Agency.

The weeklong environmental Congress fosters an inclusive and meaningful educational opportunity for aspiring Indigenous youth leaders interested in addressing environmental issues facing Native American, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander communities. Eligible students—representing a diverse mix of Indigenous communities from various geographic locations, both urban and rural—compete for the opportunity to represent their communities from across the country. The students learn about environmental change and conservation while strengthening their leadership skills for addressing conservation issues within their own communities.

Through a cooperative agreement with the New Mexico Wildlife Federation (NMWF), the Service solicits and evaluates applications from eligible students interested in applying for the program. The NMWF notifies successful applicants and arranges all travel for them. Information collected from each applicant via an online application administered by the NMWF includes:

• Applicant's full name, contact information, date of birth, and Tribal/community affiliation;
• Emergency contact information for applicant;
• Name and contact information of applicant's mentor;
• Applicant's school name and address;
• Applicant's current grade in school;
• Applicant's participation in extracurricular activities, school clubs, or community organizations;
• Applicant's volunteer experience; and
• Applicant's accomplishments or awards received.

Each applicant provides essay responses to questions concerning topics such as environmental issues affecting their home/Tribal community, how or whether the environmental issues are addressed, and/or how, as a Native youth leader, they can lead the community in adapting to a changing environment.

In addition to the online application form, the Service uses following forms in conjunction with the Congress:

• Form 3–2525, “Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress Student Medical Information”—collects the following information:

—Student's full name and preferred name;

—Date of birth;

—Age;

—Health insurance policy information;

—Medication information, to include dose and frequency;

—Drug and/or food sensitivities/allergies;

—Medications and immunizations; and

—Pre-existing condition(s).

• Form 3–2546, “Enrollment Form”—collects the following information:

—Applicant's full name, address, and contact information;

—Parent/guardian name and contact information;

—Student's age, date of birth, and gender;

—Student's high school year;

—Student's high school name, address, and contact information; and

—Chaperone name.

• Form 3–2547, “Parental Consent Form”—collects the following information:

—Name of student and date of birth;

—Student address, school, grade, and contact information; and

—Student's physician name, address, and contact information.

• Form 3–2548, “Student Conduct Agreement”—collects the following information:

—Student's full name and preferred name;

—Student signature and signature date; and

—Parent/guardian name, signature, and signature date.

• Form 3–2549, “Mentor Waiver”—collects the following information:

—Mentor name;

—Mentor signature and signature date;

—Emergency contact name and contact number.

We require successful students to provide basic medical information so that we can assure their health and safety while on site at the National Conservation Training Center. The on-site nurse keeps this information strictly confidential, for use only in an emergency.

Proposed Revisions

With this submission, the Service proposes the following new and revised requirements to the currently approved information collection:

1. (Revision) Student Enrollment Information Form (Form 3–2546)—We propose to revise Form 3–2546, Student Enrollment Information Form, to expand options for providing gender identity.

2. (New) Travel Information (Form 3–2570)—We propose to add Form 3–2570, Travel Information, which collects travel and personal identification information for students attending the Congress. This new form will collect the following information:

• Name, contact information, date of birth, and group/school/community name for chaperone;
• Identifying information for groups' participants, to include name, date of birth, phone number, and gender (required by airline);
• Airport information;
• Special travel needs;
• Address for travel stipend payments; and
• Additional comments or questions.

3. (New) Junior Faculty Competitive Nomination Form (Form 3–2571)—We propose to add Form 3–2571, Junior Faculty Competitive Nomination Form, which collects nominee information, to include name, address, email, phone number, affiliated organization (sponsoring organization information), and a copy of the nominee's resume. We also ask the college-aged junior faculty to complete a Competitive Nomination Form (as part of the review and selection process). The Junior Faculty Competitive Nomination Form collects the following information:

• Student's full name;
• Student's Tribal affiliation;
• Student's phone number;
• Student's email address;
• Student's affiliated/sponsoring organization; and
• Affiliated/sponsoring organization address.

The Junior Faculty Competitive Nomination Form also includes the following four questions, which allow applicants to describe their interest in being nominated for the program:

• What are strengths that you can bring to share with the other junior faculty and larger Congress community?
• How do you hope to grow by participating in Congress?
• What would you like to learn or what opportunities are you looking for?
• What change do you hope to make or impact do you hope to have in your home community?

4. (New) Adult Enrollment and Emergency Contact Form (Form 3–2572)—We propose to add Form 3–2572, Adult Enrollment and Emergency Contact Form, which collects emergency contact information, should an event occur where we need to contact outside individuals related to the participant. We also ask the college-aged Junior Faculty to complete a Competitive Nomination Form (as part of the review and selection process) and an Adult Enrollment and Emergency Information Form once selected. The Adult Enrollment and Emergency Contact Form collects the following information (once the student has been accepted):

• Student's full name and preferred name/nickname;
• Student's full home address;
• Student's email address;
• Student's phone number;
• Student's affiliated/sponsoring organization's name and POC;
• Affiliated/sponsoring organization's address;
• Affiliated/sponsoring organizational POC's phone number and email;
• Student's nearest airport (for travel coordination);
• Student's person to notify in case of emergency;
• Student's person to notify phone number and email; and
• Additional information to be aware of (open ended).

5. (Revision) Update to Title of Collection—We updated the title of the collection to “Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress” (previously “Native Youth Community Adaptation and Leadership Congress”).

Title of Collection: Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress.

OMB Control Number: 1018–0176.

Form Numbers: Forms 3–2525, 3–2546 through 3–2549, and 3–2570 through 3–2572.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved information collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: Eligible high school or college students interested in applying for the program.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

Requirement	Average number of annual responses	Average completion time per response	Estimated annual burden hours
NYCALC Application (Online)	105	4 hours	420
Form 3–2525, Student Medical Information	100	30 Mins	50
Form 3–2546, Student Enrollment Information	100	18 Mins	30
Form 3–2547, Parental Consent Form	100	12 Mins	20
Form 3–2548, Student Conduct Agreement	100	12 Mins	20
Form 3–2549, Mentor Waiver	30	12 Mins	6
Form 3–2570, Travel Form (NEW)	100	20 Mins	33
Form 3–2571, Jr. Faculty Competitive Nomination Form (NEW)	100	20 Mins	33
Form 3–2572, Enrollment and Emergency Contact Information (NEW)	100	10 Mins	17
Totals:	835		629

An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Madonna Baucum,

Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.