[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2121-2122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00518]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-NCR-NAMA-NPS0034515; PPNCNAMAN70, PPMPSPD1Z.YM00000 (222); OMB 
Control Number 1024-0021]


Agency Information Collection Activities; National Capital Area 
Application for Public Gathering

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the National Park Service are proposing to renew an information 
collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
March 13, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to Phadrea Ponds, NPS Information Collection Clearance 
Officer (ADIR-ICCO), 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, (MS-242) Reston, VA 
20191 (mail); or by email at [email protected] (email). Please 
reference Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1024-
0021 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Marisa Richardson, Permit Specialist by email 
at [email protected]; or by telephone at 202-245-4715. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 1024-0021 in the subject line of your 
comments. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, 
hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or 
TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals 
outside the United States should use the relay services offered within 
their country to make international calls to the point of contact in 
the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all 
information collections require approval under the PRA. As part of our 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we invite 
the public and other Federal agencies to comment on new, proposed, 
revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us 
assess the impact of our information collection requirements and 
minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public 
understand our information collection requirements and provide the 
requested data in the desired format.
    We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following:
    (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether or not the information will have practical utility.
    (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection 
of information, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used.
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
    (4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of response.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. 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 us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Abstract: The Division of Permits Management of the National Mall 
and Memorial Parks is authorized by regulations codified in 36 CFR 
7.96(g) to issue permits for public gatherings, including special 
events and demonstrations, held on NPS property within the National 
Capital Area. The regulations reflect the special demands on many urban 
National Capital Area parks used as sites for demonstrations and 
special events. A special event is defined as any presentation, 
program, or display that is recreational, entertaining, or celebratory 
in nature (e.g., sports events, pageants, celebrations, historical 
reenactments, regattas, entertainments, exhibitions, parades, fairs, 
festivals, and similar events). The term ``demonstration'' includes 
demonstrations, picketing, speechmaking, marching, holding vigils or 
religious services, and all other similar forms of conduct that involve 
the communication or expression of views or grievances. We use 
information from NPS Form 10-941 to determine:
     Identity of the person(s) or organization(s) requesting 
authorization to conduct a demonstration or special event, and to 
determine whether the applicant(s) meets statutory requirements to 
conduct the activity.
     Nature of the proposed activity and whether there is 
statutory authority to grant permission to engage in it.
     Whether the proposed activity is in derogation from park 
values or purposes.
     Relationship between the proposed activity and the primary 
purpose(s) for which the park area was established and relevant park 
planning documents.
     Whether there is a legitimate NPS need or interest in the 
proposed activity.
     Whether the proposed activity would require a commitment 
of public resources or facilities, whether such commitments are 
legitimate and appropriate, and whether they are available.
     Long-term or short-term adverse effects caused by the 
proposed activity on park resources, facilities, or programs.
     Need for attaching special conditions or mitigating 
measures to the permit, if issued.
     Total cost to the park of monitoring proposed activity.
     Whether a waiver of numerical limitations on the White 
House sidewalk and/or Lafayette Park should be granted.
     Law enforcement resources needed to assure public safety 
and site security, especially at the White House, during the activity.
    Depending on the size and complexity of the proposed activity, we 
may require applicants to submit supporting documents such as:
     Site Plan: A complete site plan must be submitted if 
tents, stages, or any other type of structure are to be placed on 
parkland.
     Sign Plan: The plan will provide the overall size, number, 
and design of any signs or banners.

[[Page 2122]]

     Risk Management Plan: For events with significant 
equipment use during set-up and tear-down.
     Administrative Documents: We may require applicants submit 
a portable toilet contract, evidence of liability insurance coverage, 
IRS W-9 form, or an electronic funds transfer form.
    We will use an electronic system to receive applications while 
continuing to accept hard-copy applications.
    Title of Collection: National Capital Area Application for Public 
Gathering, 36 CFR 7.96(g).
    OMB Control Number: 1024-0021.
    Form Number: NPS Form 10-941, ``Application for a Permit to Conduct 
a Demonstration or Special Event in Park Areas''.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals, organizations, 
businesses, and State, local, or tribal governments.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 6,267.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 0.5 hours to 
1.5 hours, depending on activity.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 5,221.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $105,840. Of the 
Applications for Public Gatherings received from organizations, 
businesses, and individual approximately 882 are for special events. A 
$120 application fee is submitted to recover the cost of processing the 
request. The estimated annual non-hour burden cost associated with this 
information collection is $105,840 ($120 x 882 applicants). There is no 
application fee for permits to cover first amendment activities.
    An agency 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.
    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Phadrea Ponds,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-00518 Filed 1-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P