Notice2026-05799

Agency Information Collection Activities; National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
March 25, 2026

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentNational Park Service

Abstract

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the National Park Service (NPS, we) are proposing to renew an information collection without change.

Full Text

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14584-14585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05799]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NER-NPS0041911; OMB Control Number 1024-0232; PPNEHATUC0, 
PPMRSCR1Y.CU0000]


Agency Information Collection Activities; National Underground 
Railroad Network to Freedom Program

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 (NPS, we) are proposing to renew an 
information collection without change.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
April 24, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and suggestions on the information 
collection requirements should be submitted by the date specified above 
in DATES to <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this 
particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under 
Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. 
Please provide a copy of your comments to the NPS Information 
Collection Clearance Officer (ADIR-ICCO), 13461 Sunrise Valley Drive, 
(MS-263) Herndon, VA 20191 (mail); or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#13637b72776176724c637c7d7760537d63603d747c65"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a6a727b7e687f7b456a75747e695a746a69347d756c">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> (email). 
Please include ``1024-0232'' in the subject line of your comments.

[[Page 14585]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Ott, Historian, National 
Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, National Park Service, 
or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5531343b3c30390a3a2121153b25267b323a23"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7511141b1c10192a1a0101351b05065b121a03">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> (email). 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. You may also view the 
information collection request (ICR) at <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)(1), we provide the public and other Federal agencies with an 
opportunity 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.
    A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period 
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 
October 2, 2025 (90 FR 47816). We did not receive any comments in 
response to that Notice.
    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 the Office of Management and Budget (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 Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act 
of 1998 (54 U.S.C. 308301, et seq.) authorizes the NPS to collect 
information from applicants requesting to join the Network to Freedom 
Program (Network). The NPS uses Form 10-946, ``National Underground 
Railroad Network to Freedom Application'', to evaluate potential 
participants and determine eligibility to become part of the Network. 
Through the Network, we coordinate preservation and education efforts 
nationwide, and are working to integrate local historical sites, 
museums, and interpretive programs associated with the Underground 
Railroad movement.
    All entities that apply to join the Network must have a verifiable 
association with the historic Underground Railroad movement and must 
complete and submit Form 10-946 available on our website at <a href="http://www.nps.gov/subjects/ugrr/index.htm">http://www.nps.gov/subjects/ugrr/index.htm</a>. Respondents must (1) verify 
associations and characteristics through descriptive texts that are the 
result of historical research and (2) submit supporting documentation 
(e.g., copies of rare documents, photographs, and maps).
    Network Partners work with the NPS to help validate the efforts of 
local and regional organizations, making it easier for them to share 
their expertise and communicate with us and each other. Prospective 
partners must submit a letter with the following information:
    <bullet> Name and address of the agency, company or organization.
    <bullet> Name, address, and phone, fax, and email information of 
principal contact.
    <bullet> Abstract not to exceed 200 words describing the partner's 
activity or mission statement.
    <bullet> Brief description of the entity's association to the 
Underground Railroad.
    Title of Collection: National Underground Railroad Network to 
Freedom Program.
    OMB Control Number: 1024-0232.
    Form Number: NPS Form 10-946, ``National Underground Railroad 
Network to Freedom Application.''
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals; businesses; nonprofit 
organizations; and Federal, State, Local, and Tribal governments.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 66.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 66.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies; up to 40 hours, 
depending on activity.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 2,561 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Non hour 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. 2026-05799 Filed 3-24-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>
Indexed from Federal Register on March 25, 2026.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.