[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 170 (Friday, September 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52443-52444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17487]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


60-Day Notice of Intention To Request Clearance of Collection of 
Information; Opportunity for Public Comment

AGENCY: Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) 
program (Pub. L. 91-357) is collecting information from volunteers in 
the form of a survey for the purposes of evaluating the program and its 
effectiveness. In order to effectively manage the increasing trend of 
volunteerism in the NPS, it is imperative that the agency assess its 
strengths and weaknesses and determine methods for improved efficiency. 
A servicewide volunteer program assessment has not been conducted to 
date. Current VIPs will be surveyed (mail-back/Internet-based 
questionnaire) during this process to collect information about the 
current status and needs of the program. In addition, follow-up focus 
groups (3 with up to 20 participants each) and telephone interviews (up 
to 40) will be conducted to acquire detailed data expanding on 
questionnaire results). Recommendations for improvements will be made 
based on the findings. This process will not only aid in creating an 
improved, streamlined program, but may also serve as a model for other 
Federal agencies.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Estimated  numbers
                                                              of
                                                     -------------------
                                                                  Burden
                                                      Responses   hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Volunteers-In-Parks Program Assessment..............      6,100    1,630
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR 
part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, the NPS invites 
comments on the need for gathering the information in the proposed 
survey. Comments are invited on: (1) The practical utility of the 
information being gathered; (2) the accuracy of the burden hour 
estimate; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden to 
respondents, including use of automated information collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES: Public comments will be accepted on or before November 1, 2005.
    Send Comments To: Joy M. Pietschmann, National Park Service, 
Servicewide Volunteer Program Coordinator, 1849 C Street NW., 2450, 
Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joy M. Pietschmann, 202-513-7141.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: National Park Service Volunteers-In-
Parks Program Assessment.
    OMB Number: To be requested.
    Expiration Date: To be requested.
    Type of Request: Request for new clearance.
    Description of Need: The NPS Volunteers-In-Parks program is 
authorized by the Volunteers in the Parks Act of 1969 (16 U.S.C. 18g-
18j). The Volunteers in the Parks Act of 1969 as originally enacted was 
Public Law 91-357. Volunteering is an American tradition that over the 
years has made an immeasurable contribution to communities, 
organizations, and individuals throughout the country. Volunteers are 
vital to the success of the NPS. The VIP program can accept and use 
voluntary help and services from the public, in a way that is mutually 
beneficial to the NPS and the volunteer. In FY2004 140,000 volunteers 
donated 5 million hours of service to their national parks at a value 
of $85.9 million. VIPs come from every state and many different 
countries to help preserve and protect America's natural and cultural

[[Page 52444]]

heritage for the enjoyment of this and future generations. Over the 
past 35 years, this program has consistently grown to become one of the 
government's largest, most successful volunteer programs. Between 
FY2003 and 2004, the program experienced its biggest increase in 
history: The number of VIPs increased by 14% and the number of hours by 
11%. In order to effectively manage the increasing trend of 
volunteerism in the NPS, it is imperative that the organization assess 
its strengths and weaknesses and determine methods for improved 
efficiency. A servicewide volunteer program assessment has not been 
conducted to date. Volunteers (6,000) will be surveyed during this 
process (mail-back/Internet-based questionnaire) to collect information 
about the current status and needs of the program. In addition, follow-
up focus groups (3 with up to 20 participants each) and telephone 
interviews (up to 40) will be conducted to acquire detailed data 
expanding on questionnaire results). Results will be reported at the 
servicewide level, the regional level (seven NPS regions), and the 
volunteer work category level (to include, at minimum, work in the 
areas of interpretation, natural resource management, park maintenance, 
campground hosting, and cultural resource management). Recommendations 
for improvements will be made based on the findings. This process will 
not only aid in creating an improved, streamlined program, but may also 
serve as a model for other Federal agencies.
    Automated data collection: This information will primarily be 
collected electronically through a designated, secure Web site. Non-
automated methods (mail-back questionnaire) will be available for those 
without access to electronic means.
    Description of respondents: National Park Service Volunteers-In-
Parks.
    Estimated average number of respondents: Approximately 6,100 
respondents.
    Estimated average number of responses: Approximately 6,100 
responses.
    Estimated average burden hours per response: One-quarter burden 
hour per response to the mail-back/internet-based questionnaire 
([ap]6,000 responses); One and one-half burden hour for participants in 
the follow-up focus groups ([ap]60 responses); One burden hour for 
participants in the follow-up interviews ([ap]responses).
    Frequency of Response: 1 time per respondent.
    Estimated annual reporting burden: 1,630 hours.

    Dated: July 19, 2005.
Leonard E. Stowe,
National Park Service Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-17487 Filed 9-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P