[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 233 (Thursday, December 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67861-67862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30149]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


30-Day Federal Register Notice of Submission of Network to 
Freedom Application Package to Office of Management and Budget; 
Opportunity for Public Comment

AGENCY: Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National 
Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3507) and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and 
Recordkeeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites 
comments on a submitted request to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) to approve an extension of a currently approved information 
collection clearance (OMB 1024-0232). Comments are invited on (1) the 
need for the information including whether the information has 
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of this reporting burden estimate; 
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected on respondents, including the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. This program will measure performance in meeting goals as 
required by the 1995 Government Performance and Results Act.
    Public Law 105-203 authorizes the NPS to develop and administer the 
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (Network), a 
nationwide collection of governmental and nongovernmental sites, 
facilities, and programs associated with the historic Underground 
Railroad movement. The NPS has developed the application process 
through which associated elements can be included in the Network. The 
information collected will: (a) Verify associations to the Underground 
Railroad, (b) Measure minimum levels of standards for inclusion in the 
Network, and (c) Identify general needs for technical assistance.
    The purpose of the proposed ICR is to evaluate sites, facilities, 
and programs that are applying for inclusion in the National 
Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The information will be used 
by the NPS to determine if candidates seeking inclusion in the Network 
meet the minimum criteria. There were no public comments received as a 
result of publishing in the Federal Register a 60-day notice of 
intention to request clearance of information collection for this 
survey.

DATES: Public Comments on the proposed ICR will be accepted on or 
before January 5, 2004, to be assured of consideration. The Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove 
the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore to 
ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive comments 30 days from 
the date of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments directly to Ms. Ruth Solomon, Desk 
Officer for the Department of the Interior (OMB 0124-0232), Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, by fax at 202-395-6566 or by

[[Page 67862]]

electronic mail at [email protected]. Mail or hand carry a copy 
of your comments to Dianne Miller, National Coordinator, National 
Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, National Park Service, 
Midwest Regional Office, 1709 Jackson Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68102. 
If you wish to send a copy of your comments by electronic mail, you may 
send them to [email protected]. All comments will become a matter 
of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY OF THE STUDY PACKAGE SUBMITTED FOR 
OMB REVIEW, CONTACT: Diane Miller, 402-221-3749 or James Hill, 402-221-
3413 at National Park Service, 1709 Jackson Street, Omaha, Nebraska 
68102.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: NPS National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom 
Application.
    Bureau Form Number: n/a.
    OMB Number: 1024-0232.
    Expiration Date: 11/30/2003.
    Type of request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Description of need: The NPS has identified guidelines and criteria 
for associated elements to qualify for the Network. The application 
form documents sites, programs, and facilities and demonstrates that 
they meet the criteria established for inclusion. The documentation 
will be incorporated into a database that will be available to the 
general public for information purposes. The proposed information to be 
collected regarding these sites, facilities, and programs is not 
available from existing records, sources, or observations.
    Automated data collection: Respondents must verify associations and 
characteristics through descriptive texts that are the result of 
historical research. Evaluations are based on subjective analysis of 
the information provided, which often includes copies of rare documents 
and photographs. Much of the information is submitted in electronic 
format, but at the present time, there is capacity to gather all of the 
required information electronically.
    Description of respondents: The affected publics are state, tribal, 
and local governments, federal agencies, businesses, non-profit 
organizations, and individuals throughout the United States. 
Nominations to the Network are voluntary.
    Estimated average number of respondents: 80.
    Estimated average number of responses: 80.
    Estimated average burden hours per response: 15.
    Estimated frequency of response: Once per respondent.
    Estimated annual reporting burden: 1200 hours.

    Dated: October 24, 2003.
Leonard E. Stowe,
Acting, NPS Information Collection Clearance Officer, Washington 
Administrative Program Center.
[FR Doc. 03-30149 Filed 12-3-03; 8:45 am]
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