SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity 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.

A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on March 14, 2024 (89 FR 18665). No comments were received.

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. 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. 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: Various laws, statutes, and regulations, to include the Volunteers in the Parks Act of 1969 (54 U.S.C. 102301), Public Lands Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1721 et. seq.), the Outdoor Recreation Authority (16 U.S.C. 4601), Volunteers in the National Forests Program (16 U.S.C. 558 a-d), and the Forest Foundation Volunteers Act (16 U.S.C. 583j), authorize Federal land management agencies to work with volunteers, youth, and partner organizations to plan, develop, maintain, and manage projects and service activities on public lands and adjacent projects throughout the nation. We use volunteers, youth programs, and partnerships to aid in disaster response, interpretive functions, visitor services, conservation measures and development, research and development, recreation, and or other activities as allowed by an agency's policy and regulations. Providing, collecting, and exchanging written and electronic information is required from potential and selected program participants of all ages so they can access opportunities and benefits provided by agencies guidelines. Those under the age of 18 years must have written consent from a parent or guardian to participate in volunteer activities. ( print page 68643)

These forms, available for prospective volunteers to complete electronically or as paper forms, serve two functions:

Recruiting potential volunteers, and

Formalizing agreements between current volunteers and the agencies with which they are volunteering.

The customer relationship management web-based portal, Volunteer.gov, is the agencies' response to meeting the public's request for improved digital customer services to access and apply for engagement opportunities. Under one security platform parameter, the Volunteer.gov website provides prospective and current program participants the ability to establish an account for electronic submission of program applications and to obtain status of applications and enrollments. Current functionality provides information digitally on benefits and requirements and facilitates improved tracking of volunteer service hours. As field level programs transition to using Volunteer.gov, these data points may be tracked either manually or digitally and are accessible from agency volunteer program coordinators.

This information collection specifically minimizes the burden on the respondents. While electronic records provide a means to streamline data collection and allow participant access to track benefits and control the sharing of their data, the participating agencies will continue to provide accessible paper versions of the volunteer forms upon request and in special circumstances where the digital alternative is not possible.

Participating Agencies

Department of the Interior: All Interior offices and units, including National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and U.S. Geological Survey.

Department of Agriculture: U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Department of Defense: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Department of Commerce: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Common Forms

Form OF-301—Volunteer Application: Individuals interested in volunteering may access the Volunteer.gov website to complete an on-line application on the Volunteer.gov website. Alternatively, they may contact any agency listed above to request a Volunteer Application (Form OF-301). We collect the following information from applicants via Form OF-301:

• Name and contact information (address, telephone number, and email address);
• Date of birth;
• Preferred work categories;
• Interests;
• Citizenship status;
• Available dates and preferred location;
• Physical limitations; and
• Lodging preferences.

Information collected using this form or Volunteer.gov assists agency volunteer coordinators and other personnel in matching volunteers with agency opportunities appropriate for an applicant's skills, physical condition, and availability.

Form OF-301A—Volunteer Service Agreement: We use this form to establish agreements for volunteer services between Federal agencies and individual or group volunteers, to include eligible international volunteers. We require the signature of parents or guardians for all applicants under 18 years of age. We collect the following information from volunteers via Form OF-301A:

• Name and contact information (address, telephone number, and email address);
• Date of birth (proposed new data field);
• Citizenship information; and,
• Emergency contact information.

Form OF-301A describes the service a volunteer will perform, and asks a volunteer to confirm their understanding of the purpose of the volunteer program, their fitness and ability to perform the duties as described, and whether they consent to being photographed.

Form OF-301B—Volunteer Group Sign-up: We use this form to document awareness and understanding by adult individuals in groups about the volunteer activities between a Federal agency and a partner organization with group participants, and accompanies the Form OF-301a. We collect the following information from volunteers via Form OF-301b:

• Name and contact information (address, telephone number, and email address);
• Month and year of birth;
• Confirmation of understanding of the purpose of the volunteer program;
• Fitness and ability to perform the duties as described; and
• Whether they consent to being photographed.

Each participating agency must request OMB approval of, and report their own burden associated with, the use of common forms OF-301, OF-301A, and OF-301B in order to be authorized to participate in this information collection. Interior will not assume the burden for any agencies other than its own bureaus and offices that participate in the volunteer program.

Revisions

Minor revisions are being proposed for the forms to correct grammatical mistakes, provide clarity for users, and to remove unnecessary requests for information. All revisions proposed are based on participating agency and volunteer input. A summary of those revisions is below.

OF 301 (Volunteer Service Application)

Note:

Optional. Volunteers use this to express general interest, not to apply to a specific volunteer opportunity.

Title: Remove “-NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES” from the title, resulting in the title of “Volunteer Service Application”

Burden Statement: Correct grammar

Privacy Act Statement: Correct grammar

OF 301a (Volunteer Service Agreement)

Note:

individual volunteers use this to apply and agree to a specific volunteer opportunity.

Title: Remove “-NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES” from the title, resulting in the title of “VOLUNTEER SERVICE AGREEMENT”

Box 4: Correct grammar

Box 12c.: Updating to “Military affiliation (Select one): Active Duty, Veteran, None”

Box 27: Correct grammar

Box 28: Add clarifying language “(Last, First)”

Box 45: Remove Box “45. Total Hours Completed”

Box 46: Update Box number to “45.”