[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10834-10836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04175]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-VRP-WS-15009; PPWOVPADW0, PPMPRLE1Y.LB0000]


Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for Approval; Backcountry Use Permit

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We (National Park Service) have sent an Information Collection 
Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. We summarize the ICR 
below and describe the nature of the collection and the estimated 
burden and cost. This information collection is scheduled to expire on 
February 28, 2014. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. However, under OMB regulations, we 
may continue to conduct or sponsor this

[[Page 10835]]

information collection while it is pending at OMB.

DATES: You must submit comments on or before March 28, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments and suggestions on this information 
collection to the Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior at 
OMB--OIRA at (202) 395-5806 (fax) or [email protected] 
(email). Please provide a copy of your comments to Madonna L. Baucum, 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1849 C 
Street NW. (2601), Washington, DC 20240 (mail); or [email protected] (email). Please include ``1024-0022'' in the subject 
line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Robert Danno at [email protected] (email) 
or at 406-647-7010 (telephone). You may review the ICR online at http://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review Department of the 
Interior collections under review by OMB.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 1024-0022.
    Title: Backcountry Use Permit, 36 CFR 1.5, 1.6, and 2.10.
    Service Form Number(s): 10-404A.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Completion
                                                     Number of       Number of       time per      Total annual
                    Activity                        respondents       annual         response      burden hours
                                                                     responses       (minutes)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 10-404A....................................         285,000         285,000               5          23,750
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals......................................         285,000         285,000               5          23,750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.
    Abstract: In 1976, we initiated a backcountry registration system 
in accordance with the regulations found at Title 36, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Sections 1.5, 1.6, and 2.10. The backcountry use permit 
system provides users access to backcountry areas of national parks 
with continuing opportunities for solitude, while enhancing resource 
protection and providing a means of disseminating public safety 
messages regarding backcountry travel.
    The Backcountry Use Permit is an extension of our statutory 
authority and responsibility to protect the park areas we administer 
and to manage the public use thereof (Title 16 United States Code, 
Sections 1 and 3 (16 U.S.C. 1 and 3)). NPS regulations codified in 36 
CFR 1-7, 12, and 13, are designated to implement statutory mandates 
that provide for resource protection and public enjoyment.
    The Backcountry Use Permit (NPS Form 10-404A) is the primary form 
used to implement a backcountry reservation system and provide access 
into backcountry and designated wilderness areas where registration is 
required or limits are imposed in accordance with regulations. Such 
permitting enhances the ability of the National Park Service (we, NPS) 
to issue hazard warnings, conduct search and rescue efforts, and 
provide mission based resource protection.
    The objectives of the permit system are to ensure: (1) requests by 
backcountry users are evaluated by park managers in accordance with 
applicable statutes and NPS regulations; (2) use of consistent 
standards and permitting criteria throughout the agency; and (3) to the 
extent possible, use of a single and efficient permitting document.
    Forms will be provided by the parks and will be available at 
backcountry reservation offices in the parks. Respondents complete the 
form as they reach the trailhead or backcountry reservation office and 
before beginning their backcountry hike. A copy is retained by the 
respondent, and a copy is retained by the park. Backcountry users only 
need to fill the form out when they enter the backcountry for overnight 
stays. Day users will not be required to complete the form.
    Not all parks will use the form and some parks may collect the 
information using a nonform format (through discussions in person or 
over the phone, by sign-in sheet or self-registration system, by email, 
or by post card). In some instances, respondents will be able to 
provide information verbally. Because of the span of activities and the 
different management needs and resources at each park, respondents may 
not be required to answer all questions. Depending on the requested 
activity, park staff will have the discretion to ask for less 
information than appears on the proposed form. However, park staff may 
not ask for more or different information.
    Comments: On April 2, 2013, we published in the Federal Register 
(78 FR 19732) a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew approval 
for this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments 
for 60 days, ending June 3, 2013.
    We received one comment. The comment was confined to issues at 
Grand Canyon National Park, specifically the aircraft overflight issue. 
The commenter suggested that NPS require backcountry permits be issued 
to individuals who participate in private scenic air tours over park 
lands. These excursions are short-term (1 hour or less) flights that 
originate outside the park. Although the flights often take place over 
park lands, the NPS does not have authority over airspace, which is 
under the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration. We did not 
make any changes to our information collection requirements.
    We again invite comments concerning this information collection on:
     Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, 
including whether or not the information will have practical utility;
     The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this 
collection of information;
     Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. Before including your address, phone number, email 
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you 
should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal 
identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. 
While you can ask OMB in your comment to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it 
will be done.


[[Page 10836]]


    Dated: February 21, 2014.
Doris Lowry,
Acting Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04175 Filed 2-25-14; 8:45 am]
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