[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 14162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7459]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


60-Day Notice of Intention To Renew Request for Clearance of 
Information Collection, Backcountry Use Permit, Opportunity for Public 
Comment

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3507) and 5 CFR Part 1320, Reporting and 
Recordkeeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites 
public comments on a request for renewal of approval for the 
information collection requirements associated with permits 
implementing provisions of agency regulations, pertaining to the use of 
public lands (OMB Control 11024-0022). Standard Form 10-404, 
Backcountry Use Permit, is the primary form used to implement a 
backcountry reservation system and provide access into backcountry 
zones where limits are imposed in accordance with regulations. Such 
permitting enhances hazard warnings, search and rescue efforts and 
resource protection.

DATES: Public comments will be accepted until May 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Dennis Burnett, Ranger Activities, National 
Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, 18th and C Streets, Washington, D.C., 
20013-7127. All responses to this notice will be summarized and 
included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Burnett at 202-208-7675

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The objectives of the backcountry use permit 
system is to provide campers desiring 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. In 1976, the NPS 
initiated a backcountry registration system in accordance with 
regulations found at 36 CFR 1.5, 1.6 and 2.10. This system assures 
campers of finding routes and campsites which are not crowded beyond 
their capacity. The quality of both the recreational experience and the 
physical setting thereby remain uncompromised.
    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 up-to-date information on 
backcountry sanitation procedures, food storage, wildlife activity, 
trail conditions and weather projections so that concerns for visitor 
safety are met.
    The Backcountry Use Permit is an extension of the NPS statutory 
responsibilities to protect the park areas it administers and to manage 
the public use thereof (16 U.S.C. 1 & 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. Several regulations contain information collection 
requirements previously approved by the OMB (1024-0022).
Diane M. Cooke,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 97-7459 Filed 3-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P