FR 2021-03079

The document at hand is a notice from the Peace Corps that has been published in the Federal Register indicating a reopening of the comment period for an information collection request submission. Initially published on December 7, 2020, this request was erroneously given a 30-day comment period, which ended on January 6, 2021. The Peace Corps has now extended this period by reopening it for an additional 30 days, giving the public until March 19, 2021, to provide their input.

General Impact and Importance

This document is a practical example of administrative procedure in action. Regulatory bodies like the Peace Corps regularly need to collect information to ensure their programs and policies are both efficient and effective. Public comments play a critical role in shaping these programs, allowing citizens, stakeholders, and subject matter experts to provide feedback on data collection methods, the utility of the requested information, and any potential burdens these collections might impose. As such, the reopening of the comment period ensures wider public participation, enabling more comprehensive input which could benefit the quality and development of the Peace Corps' initiatives.

Potential Issues and Concerns

The main concern highlighted by this document is the initial oversight that resulted in a comment period shorter than what was intended. Such errors can restrict public participation and limit the input diversity, which regulatory bodies might need to refine their initiatives effectively. Moreover, extending comment periods after they have lapsed can cause confusion or disrupt timelines for stakeholders who plan resource allocation according to these deadlines.

Impact on the Public and Specific Stakeholders

Broadly, this reopening impacts anyone with a vested interest in the Peace Corps' activities and operations. That includes those directly involved with the organization's programs, such as potential volunteers, educational institutions, partner organizations, and potentially even foreign governments working in collaboration with the Peace Corps. By having an extended window for public commentary, these stakeholders can ensure that their perspectives and concerns are adequately considered in the final round of data collection design.

Specifically, individuals tasked with data privacy, such as privacy rights advocates or FOIA officers, might have heightened interest. As the document email address indicates the involvement of a FOIA/Privacy Act Officer, this notice may also pertain to aspects of how data privacy is handled within the context of Peace Corps operations. These parties may utilize the extended period to ensure that proper safeguards and considerations for privacy are integral to the Peace Corps' methodologies for information collection.

Overall, while this notice may appear procedural, it underscores the importance of public participation in federal agency processes and highlights the potential administrative challenges agencies face in providing ample time and opportunity for such engagement.