[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5260-5261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01557]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-AKR-GLBA-NPS0037098; 5471 PPMRSNR1Z.NN0000 PX.DGRSM0203.00.1; OMB 
Control Number 1024-0281]


Agency Information Collection Activities: National Park Service 
Bear Sighting and Encounter Reports

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the National Park Service (NPS) are proposing to revise a currently 
approved information collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
March 26, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to the NPS Information Collection Clearance Officer 
(ADIR-ICCO), 13461 Sunrise Valley Drive, (MS-244) Reston, VA 20171 
(mail); or [email protected] (email). Please reference Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number ``1024-0281'' in the subject 
line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this Information Collection Request (ICR), contact Ryan 
Williamson, Wildlife Biologist, Great Smoky Mountains National Park; at 
[email protected] (email); or 865-436-1248 (telephone). Or 
contact Tania Lewis, Wildlife Biologist, Glacier Bay National Park & 
Preserve; at [email protected] (email); or 907-697-2668 (telephone). 
Please reference OMB

[[Page 5261]]

Control Number 1024-0281 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. We may not 
conduct, or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection 
of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    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 National Park Service Organic Act, 54 U.S.C. 
100101(a) et seq., requires that the NPS preserve national parks for 
the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future 
generations. In order to monitor resources and bear management in areas 
managed by the National Park Service and to enhance the safety of 
future visitors, we are requesting to revise OMB Control Number: 1024-
0281 to include a new system-wide form for bear sightings and 
encounters by visitors in National Parks.
    Bear sighting data provide park managers with important information 
used to determine bear movements, habitat use, and species 
distribution. This information is important for backcountry management 
and planning, field research planning, and educational outreach for 
visitors. Bear-human interaction data is vital to understanding bear 
responses to people, detecting changes in bear behavior, and 
identifying areas of high bear-human conflict. Obtaining immediate 
information on bear-human conflicts allows managers to respond promptly 
to mitigate further conflicts. Proactive mitigation includes notifying 
other backcountry users, issuing advisories or recommendations, or 
issuing closures to prevent further conflicts and maintain public 
safety. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve currently uses Form 10-
405 ``Tatshenshini--Alsek River Bear Report and Form 10-406 ``Bear 
Information Management Report'' to record bear sightings when a bear 
enters a camp, approaches the group, damages gear, obtains food, and/or 
acts in an aggressive or threatening manner towards the group. We are 
requesting to add a new system-wide form to this collection. Proposed 
form 10-407 ``National Park Service Bear Sighting and Encounter 
Reports'' will be available in any areas managed by the National Park 
Service where bear sightings may occur.
    Title of Collection: National Park Service Bear Sighting and 
Encounter Reports.
    OMB Control Number: 1024-0281.
    Form Number: 10-405, ``Tatshenshini--Alsek River Bear Report,'' 10-
406, ``Bear Information Management Report'', and 10-407 ``National Park 
Service Bear Sighting and Encounter Reports.''
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Description of Respondents: General Public.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 478.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 478.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: Average 5 minutes.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 54 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.
    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. 2024-01557 Filed 1-25-24; 8:45 am]
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