Agency Information Collection Activities; National Park Service President's Park National Christmas Tree Music Program Application

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) are proposing to renew an information collection.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before September 7, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Send your comments on this information collection request (ICR) by mail to Phadrea Ponds, Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525; or by email at phadrea_ponds@nps.gov. Please reference Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1024-0277 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request additional information about this ICR, contact Katie Wilmes, Chief of Interpretation, President's Park by email at Katie_Wilmes@nps.gov, or by telephone at 202-208-1631. Please reference OMB Control Number 1024-0277 in the subject line of your comments. Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

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.

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: Authorized by the NPS Organic Act of 1916, 54 U.S.C. 100101 et seq., the NPS has broad authority to regulate the use of the park areas under its jurisdiction. Consistent with the Organic Act, as well as the Constitution's Establishment Clause which mandates government neutrality and allows the placement of holiday secular and religious displays, the National Christmas Tree Music Program's holiday musical entertainment may include both holiday secular and religious music. To ensure that any proposed music selection is consistent with the Establishment Clause, and presented in a prudent and objective manner as a traditional part of the culture and heritage of this annual holiday event, it must be approved in advance by the NPS.

The NPS National Christmas Tree Music Program at President's Park is intended to provide musical entertainment for park visitors during December on the Ellipse, where in celebration of the holiday season, visitors can observe the National Christmas Tree, visit assorted yuletide displays, and attend musical presentations. Each year, park officials accept applications from musical groups who wish to participate in the annual National Christmas Tree Program. The NPS uses Form 10-942, “National Christmas Tree Music Program Application” to accept applications from the public for participation in the program. The form collects the following information:

• Contact name, phone number, and email
• Group name and location (city, state)
• Preferred performance dates and times
• Music selections/song list
• Equipment needs
• Number of performers
• Type of group (choir, etc.)
• Acknowledgement of the musical entertainment policy

Park officials use the information collected to select, plan, schedule, and contact performers for the National Christmas Tree Program.

Title of Collection: National Park Service President's Park National Christmas Tree Music Program Application.

OMB Control Number: 1024-0277.

Form Number: NPS Form 10-942, “National Christmas Tree Music Program Application.”

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: Local, national, and international bands, choirs, or dance groups.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 75.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 75.

Estimated Completion Time per Response: 15 minutes.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 19.

Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.

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.).