Volunteers in the National Forests Act of 1972

Act of May 18, 1972
(P.L. 92-300, 86 Stat. 147
16 U.S.C. 558a (note), 558a – 558d, 558d)

Sec. 1. The Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary") is Authorized to recruit, train, and accept without regard to the civil service classification laws, Rules, or regulations the services of individuals without compensation as volunteers for or in aid of interpretive functions, visitor services, conservation measures and development, or other activities in and related to areas administered by the Secretary through the Forest Service. In carrying out this section the Secretary shall consider referrals of prospective volunteers made by ACTION. (16 U.S.C. 558a)

Sec. 2. The Secretary is authorized to provide for incidental expenses, such as transportation, uniforms, lodging, and subsistence. (16 U.S.C. 558b)

Sec. 3. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a volunteer shall not be deemed a Federal employee and shall not be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment, including those relating to hours of compensation, and Federal employee benefits.

(b) For the purpose of the tort claim provisions of Title 28 of the United States Code, a volunteer under this Act shall be considered a Federal employee.

© For the purposes of subchapter 1 of Chapter 81 of Title 5 of the United States Code, relating to compensation to Federal employees for work injuries, volunteers under this Act shall be deemed civil employees of the United States within the meaning of the term "employee" as defined in section 8101 of Title 5, United States Code, and the provisions of that subchapter shall apply. (16 U.S.C. 558c)

Sec. 4. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums a may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. (16 U.S.C. 558d

Note: The Act of June 5, 1978, amended the original act to remove the $100,000 authorization limit, effective October 1, 1987.