Federal Register, Volume 74 Issue 3 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-31377]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 3 / Tuesday, January 6, 2009 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 411]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1780

RIN 0572-AC11


Amending the Water and Waste Program Regulations

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the 
United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development 
Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development or the 
Agency, is amending its regulations to administer the Water and Waste 
Loan and Grant Programs. This action implements provisions of the 2008 
Farm Bill for interest rates on direct loans and modifies the interest 
rate structure currently being used for the direct loan program. 
Interest rates on loans subject to 5 or 7 percent interest rate 
limitations (poverty and intermediate rates, respectively) will adjust 
with changes in the market rate. The poverty and intermediate interest 
rates will be established at rates equal to a percentage of current 
market yields for outstanding municipal obligations. The intended 
effect is to make part 1780 current with statutory authority.
    In the final rules section of the Federal Register, the Agency is 
publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal 
because Rural Development views this as a non-controversial action and 
anticipates no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in 
response to the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on 
this proposed rule, and the action will become effective at the time 
specified in the direct final rule. If the Agency receives adverse 
comments, a timely document will be published withdrawing the direct 
final rule and all public comments received will be addressed in a 
subsequent final rule based on this action.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received by Rural 
Development or carry a postmark or equivalent no later than February 5, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to this rule by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the ``Search Documents'' box, enter RUS-08-
Water-0005, check the box under the Search box labeled ``Select to find 
documents accepting comments or submissions,'' and click on the GO>> 
key. To submit a comment, choose ``Send a comment or submission,'' 
under the Docket Title. In order to submit your comment, the 
information requested on the ``Public Comment and Submission Form,'' 
must be completed. (If you click on the hyperlink of the docket when 
the search returns it, you will see the docket details. Click on the 
yellow balloon to receive the ``Public Comment and Submission Form.'') 
Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for 
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after 
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``How 
to Use this Site'' link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment 
addressed to Michele Brooks, Director, Program Development and 
Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, Room 5159, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. Please state that 
your comment refers to Docket No. RUS 08-Water-0005.
    Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development 
and its programs is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Francis, Loan Specialist, Water 
and Environmental Programs, USDA Rural Development, STOP 1570, Room 
2229 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-
1570. Telephone: (202) 720-9589; FAX: (202) 690-0649; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION provided 
in the direct final rule located in the Rules and Regulations direct 
final rule section of the Federal Register for the applicable 
Supplementary Information on this action.

    Dated: December 30, 2008.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E8-31377 Filed 1-5-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P