# 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 *http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain* . 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 *[email protected]* (email). Please include “1024-0232” in the subject line of your comments.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Daniel Ott, Historian, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, National Park Service, or *[email protected]* (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 *http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain* .
**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 *http://www.nps.gov/subjects/ugrr/index.htm* . 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:
• Name and address of the agency, company or organization.
• Name, address, and phone, fax, and email information of principal contact.
• Abstract not to exceed 200 words describing the partner's activity or mission statement.
• 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.