Agency Information Collection Activities; Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Regulations

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 January 10, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

Send your comments on this information collection request (ICR) to Phadrea Ponds, NPS Information Collection Clearance Officer by email to phadrea_ponds@nps.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 1024-0144 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request additional information about this ICR, contact Melanie O'Brien, Manager, National NAGPRA Program by email at melanie_o'brien@nps.gov, or by telephone at (202) 354-2204. 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. 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.

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 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), U.S.C. 3001-3013, all public and private museums receiving Federal funds compile information regarding Native American cultural items in their possession or control. This information must be provided to lineal descendants, likely interested Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and the NPS National NAGPRA Program. Under NAGPRA and its implementing regulations, we are mandated to collect any information that is pertinent in determining the cultural affiliation and geographical origin of Native American human remains and cultural items. This include descriptions, acquisition data, and records of consultation. Once the identity and cultural affiliation of human remains and cultural items are determined, the museum must send written notice of determination to the affected Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations and the NAGPRA Program for publication in the Federal Register .

Title of Collection: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Regulations.

OMB Control Number: 1024-0144.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: State, local and tribal governments, universities, museums, etc. that receive Federal funds and have possession of, or control over, Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 448.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 448.

Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 10 hours to 100 hours depending on respondent and/or activity.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 4,470.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

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. ).