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.

A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on June 1, 2026, (91 FR 32430). No comments were received.

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 NPS is authorized by the National Park Service Protection, Interpretation, and Research in System (54 U.S.C. 100701) statutes to collect information used to enhance the management and planning of parks and their resources. The NPS Social Science Program (SSP) relies heavily on this generic approval to submit survey requests to OMB in an expedited ( printed page 50558) manner. This process significantly streamlines the information collection process in a manner that allows the NPS to submit at least 25 requests per year, which is 5 times as many requests that can be processed annually using the regular submission route.

The Programmatic Clearance applies to all NPS social science collections ( e.g., questionnaires, focus groups, interviews, etc.) designed to furnish usable information to NPS managers and planners concerning visitor experiences, perceptions of services, programs, and planning efforts in areas managed by the NPS. To qualify for the NPS generic programmatic review process each information request must show clear ties to NPS management and planning needs in areas managed by the NPS or involve research that will directly benefit the NPS. The scope of the programmatic review process is limited to issues that are non-controversial or unlikely to attract significant public interest.

All 11 collections must be reviewed by NPS and approved by OMB before they are administered. At least 80% of the questions in each collection must come from the approved Pool of Known Questions (PKQ). Because the PKQ is not exhaustive, requestors may add park-specific or research-specific questions as long as they fall within approved topic areas. The Social Science Program will continue to ensure quality and submit each request to OMB for expedited review. Title of Collection: Programmatic Clearance for NPS-Sponsored Public Surveys.

OMB Control Number: 1024-0224.

Form Number: Form 10-201.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals/Households.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 132,750.

Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 15 minutes to 1 hour (times vary depending upon the activity).

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 35,376 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.).

91 FR 50557