FR 2025-06095

The Bureau of Reclamation, a division within the Department of the Interior, recently announced its intent to renew and revise its information collection process for the Technical Service Center Summer Intern Program Application. This proposal falls under the guidelines of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, a legislative measure aimed at minimizing the paperwork burden for individuals and businesses. The Bureau is seeking public comments on this proposal, contributing to a more streamlined and effective application process for those interested in interning with their organization.

Overview

This document primarily functions as a formal notice from the Bureau of Reclamation regarding its desire to receive public input on the renewal and revision of its information collection practices. Specifically, it targets the system used for evaluating applications to the summer intern program, which aims to recruit students who meet the eligibility requirements. The Bureau is particularly interested in gathering feedback concerning the necessity and utility of the information being collected, the accuracy of its burden estimates, and any potential improvements to the process. Public participation in the form of comments is encouraged by June 9, 2025.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One area of concern might be the accessibility and ease of providing feedback. Those interested in the program or affected by its policies may not be fully aware of this opportunity to contribute to the process due to limited outreach or awareness. Moreover, while the Bureau emphasizes its interest in enhancing the application process, the actual steps for ensuring meaningful implementation of public feedback remain unclear.

Additionally, the document outlines the possibility that personal information may be made public during the comment process. Potential commenters might be hesitant to share their insights due to privacy concerns, which could influence the breadth and candor of the feedback received.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, this announcement reflects a broader government initiative to involve citizens in the refinement and development of administrative processes. It embodies a commitment to transparency and cooperation, aiming to reduce the administrative burden associated with federal programs. The request for feedback provides an open channel for dialogue between the government and the people it serves.

Impact on Stakeholders

Students: The primary stakeholders here are students interested in the summer intern program. By potentially improving the application process, these revisions could streamline steps for student applicants, making the process of obtaining an internship less cumbersome.

Educational Institutions: Schools and universities could also be impacted, as improvements might lead to more students participating in such programs, enhancing institutional partnerships with federal agencies.

Government Agencies: For agencies like the Bureau of Reclamation, refining the information collection process could enhance their ability to recruit top talent, thus benefiting their programs' effectiveness and outreach.

The Bureau’s openness to suggestions could indicate a positive shift towards more responsive and efficient federal programs. However, it remains to be seen how these suggestions will be acted upon and whether they will lead to substantive changes.

The Federal Register document details a proposal by the Bureau of Reclamation to renew and revise an information collection related to its Technical Service Center Summer Intern Program. This program aims to recruit students, and the collection of data is an essential component of this recruitment process.

Financial Overview

The document includes a specific financial reference regarding the Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost, which is stated to be $0. This figure indicates that there are no anticipated costs outside of the time burden placed on respondents, such as fees or material costs, associated with the information collection process.

Financial Implications

The absence of any additional non-hour burden costs suggests that the Bureau of Reclamation has structured the information collection in a way that does not impose direct financial costs on the participants. This approach may incentivize students to apply, as they are not required to incur any expenses like application fees or costs related to submitting their information. The reference to a zero-dollar burden cost can be interpreted as the agency's intention to eliminate any financial barriers to participation, thus ensuring fair access for all potential applicants.

Relation to Identified Issues

The notice does not explicitly identify issues regarding financial burdens; instead, it requests comments from the public on various aspects of the information collection, including ways to reduce the burden on respondents. By maintaining a non-hour burden cost of $0, the Bureau aims to minimize financial obstacles, aligning with its broader goal to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected. This cost structure supports the agency's effort to optimize participation and gather insightful data without imposing unnecessary financial strain on respondents.

In summary, the document highlights the Bureau of Reclamation's commitment to maintaining a cost-free application process for its Technical Service Center Summer Intern Program, thus encouraging broad participation without financial deterrents.