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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

NOTICE: NOTICES

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: 60-Day Notice of Intent To Renew Request for Clearance of Information Collection, Backcountry Use Permit, Opportunity for Public Comment

DATES: Public comments will be accepted until February 3, 2004

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 10413, 44 U.S.C. 3507) the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comment on a request for renewal of the information collection requirements of NPS Standard Form 1044, Backcountry Use Permit. The permit was initially authorized under OMB Control No. 10240022. The Backcountry Use Permit is the primary form used to provide access into NPS backcountry areas including those areas that require a reservation to enter or where use limits are imposed in accordance with other NPS regulations. Such permitting enhances hazard warnings, search and rescue efforts and resource protection.

SUMMARY: Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

In 1976, the NPS initiated a backcountry registration system in accordance with the regulations found at 36 CFR 1.5, 1.6 and 2.10. The objective of the backcountry use permit system is to provide campers 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.

NPS backcountry program managers, by designating access routes and overnight camping locations, can redistribute campers in response to user impact, high fire danger, flood or wind hazard, bear activity or other situations that may temporarily close a portion of the backcountry. The NPS may also use the permit system as a means of ensuring that each backcountry user receives uptodate information on backcountry sanitation procedures, food storage, wildlife activity, trail conditions and weather projections so that concerns for visitor safety are met.

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The Backcountry Use Permit is an extension of the NPS statutory authority responsibility to protect the park areas it administers and to manage the public use thereof (16 U.S.C. 1 and 3). NPS regulations codified in 36 CFR Parts 1 through 7, 12 and 13, are designed to implement statutory mandates that provide for resource protection and public enjoyment.

Estimated annual number of respondents: 295,339.

Estimated annual number of responses: 295,339.

Estimated average burden hours per response: 5 minutes.

Estimated frequency of response: the collection information must be provided each time a visitor or group wants to enter into the park's backcountry overnight. Frequency of response will depend on number of visits to parks annually.

Estimated annual resorting burden: 24,612 hours per year.

The NPS especially invites public comments as to:

a. Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Service, and whether the information will have practical utility.

b. The accuracy of the Service's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

c. the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

d. How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical or other forms of information technology.

Dated: November 7, 2003.
Leonard E. Stowe,
Acting, Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 0329989 Filed 12403; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 431070M

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Lee Dickinson, National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW., (org. code 2460)., Washington, DC 20240 by telephone at 2025137092 or by email at Lee_Dickinson@nps.gov