National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status

No forms / supporting documents in this ICR. Check IC Document Collections.

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
46577	National Underground Railroad Network Application (State and Local Gov't) Form	Modified
46576	National Underground Railroad Network Application (Individuals) Form	Unchanged
206845	National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (Partner Request) Instruction	Unchanged
11166	National Underground Railroad Network Application (Private Sector) Form	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1024-0232	ICR Reference No: 202601-1024-002
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202209-1024-004
Agency/Subagency: DOI/NPS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 03/25/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	03/31/2026
Responses	66	42
Time Burden (Hours)	2,561	1,601
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998 (54 U.S.C. § 308301, et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Network to Freedom (Network). The Network is a collection of sites, facilities, and programs, both governmental and nongovernmental, around the United States. All entities must have a verifiable association with the historic Underground Railroad movement. Federal agencies, State Historic Preservation Offices, other State agencies, local governments, organizations, and individuals who wish to become members of the Network complete the Network Application Form. We review the completed form to verify the historical associations and management activities.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 54 USC 308301 Name of Law: National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 47816	10/02/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 14584	03/25/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 4

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
National Underground Railroad Network Application (Individuals)	NPS 10-946	NPS National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Application
National Underground Railroad Network Application (Private Sector)	NPS 10-946	NPS National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Application
National Underground Railroad Network Application (State and Local Gov't)	NPS 10-946	NPS National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Application
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (Partner Request)	NPS 10-946	NPS National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Application

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	66	42	0	0	24	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	2,561	1,601	0	0	960	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The net increase of 24 responses and 960 hours is based on two factors. Since the last renewal, the Network to Freedom has experienced a 57.15% increase in responses due to two key factors. Increased staffing has allowed the program to expand outreach and provide technical support for additional applicants to research and nominate their Underground Railroad sites. Additionally, increased funding for the Network to Freedom Grant program has made NTF designation more desirable to potential applicants. The burden hour per response remains the same. Staffing levels and grant funding have risen in the last three years due to increased program funding from Congress.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $303,582

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 03/25/2026

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