[Taxacom] public comment on NPS permit-related forms

[Doug Yanega]

Hi, all. Apologies for x-posting. It's just come to my attention that 
there is an open review of the three forms that the US NPS uses to 
solicit information from those requesting permits to work on Parks 
Service lands (Application for a Scientific Research and Collecting 
Permit: 10-741a; Application for a Science Education Permit: 10-741b, 
Investigator's Annual Report: 10-226).

Details of the review are at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-17823.htm

Two brief excerpts to give the gist of it:

"In addition to considering the renewal of the three information 
collection forms without substantive changes, NPS is considering what 
development of modifications to the Internet site, if any, are needed 
to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of this automation 
system to facilitate the permit application and progress reporting 
processes."

and

"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 being collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden 
to respondents, including use of automated information collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology."

Basically, if you think there are inappropriate questions on those 
forms that need to be removed or altered, or if there are questions 
you believe SHOULD be there but aren't, now's a chance to push for a 
change in the forms. Myself, I can certainly see that their internet 
site (https://science.nature.nps.gov/research/ac/ResearchIndex) needs 
some work to be a little more user-friendly. If nothing else, they 
should update it to indicate that the review period is now open, and 
give a direct link to the three forms people are being asked to 
comment on!!

The deadline is September 20th.

Peace,
-- 

Doug Yanega        Dept. of Entomology         Entomology Research Museum
Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0314        skype: dyanega
phone: (951) 827-4315 (standard disclaimer: opinions are mine, not UCR's)
              http://cache.ucr.edu/~heraty/yanega.html
   "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness
         is the true method" - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82