USA-NPN programs, products and tools comply with federal policy governing information management, including paperwork reduction, privacy and security. Accordingly, federal agencies can use Nature's Notebook and other USA-NPN tools.
Updated January 4, 2021
Paperwork Reduction
Because participants in the USA-NPN program, Nature's Notebook, complete registration and observation forms, Nature’s Notebook is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The program was granted a clearance by the Office of Management Budget (OMB Control #: 1028-0103, expiring on 12/23/2023). The estimated burden (participant effort in filling out forms) of data collection on the public includes projected increases in public participation via federal partners.
Privacy
The USA-NPN Nature's Notebook program is also subject to the Privacy Act, because a limited amount of Personally-Identifying Information (PII) is collected from program participants. The Nature's Notebook Privacy Impact Assessment received final approval in May 2017. The USA-NPN Terms of Use describe how PII is collected and used for both individual and group observers. A Privacy Act Statement of Records Notice (SORN) is in development.
Mobile App Security & Privacy
The USA-NPN Nature's Notebook mobile apps were reviewed for compliance with DOI security and privacy standards and approved for release by the Department of the Interior in August 2018 (approval memo).
Data Products and Tools
The USA-NPN information management tools and data products are peer-reviewed through the Fundamental Science Practice process established by the USGS Office of Science Quality and Integrity. These resources are compliant with federal information policy, and congruent with the Open Access Plan, ensuring data quality, discovery, accessibility, reuse, and long-term curation. For further information see the USA-NPN Data Management Plan.
508 Compliance
The USA-NPN is subject to compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All video content is 508 compliant. Efforts have been made to provide accessibility settings for existing content, and newly created content follows guidelines that facilitates accessibility. Other accessibility requests are accommodated on demand.