[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51400-51401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25007]


      
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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 2, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 51400]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Rural Utilities Service
Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, 
Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments request.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of l995, this 
notice announces the intention of the above-named Agencies to request 
an extension for the currently approved information collection in 
support of the servicing of Community and Insured Business Programs 
Loans and Grants.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 2, 1996 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sharon R. Douglas, Loan Specialist, Community Programs Division, Rural 
Housing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 3222, l400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3222. Telephone (202) 
720-1506
Deanna D. Plauche, Loan Specialist, Water and Waste Disposal Division, 
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 3223, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3222. Telephone 
(202) 720-9635.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Servicing of Community and Insured Business Programs Loans 
and Grants.
    OMB Number: 0575-0066.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The following Community and Insured Business Programs 
Loans and Grants are serviced by this currently approved regulation 
(0575-0066): The Community Facilities loan program is authorized by 
Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public entities, nonprofit corporations, 
and Indian tribes for the development of community facilities for 
public use in rural areas.
    The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Title 3 (Pub. L. 88-452), 
authorizes Economic Cooperative loans to assist incorporated and 
unincorporated associations provide to low-income rural families 
essential processing, purchasing, or marketing services, supplies, or 
facilities.
    The Water and Waste Disposal program is authorized by Section 
306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1926(a)) to provide basic human amenities, alleviate health hazards, 
and promote the orderly growth of the rural areas of the Nation by 
meeting the need for new and improved water and waste disposal systems.
    The Business and Industry program is authorized by Section 310 B (7 
U.S.C. 1932) (Pub. L. 92-419, August 30, 1972) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act to improve, develop, or finance business, 
industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental 
climate in rural communities, including pollution abatement and 
control.
    The Food Security Act of 1985, Section 1323 (Pub. L. 99-198), 
authorizes loan guarantees and grants to Nonprofit National 
Corporations to provide technical and financial assistance to for-
profit or nonprofit local businesses in rural areas.
    The Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978, Section 601 (42 
U.S.C. 8401), authorizes Energy Impact Assistance Grants to states, 
councils of local government, and local governments to assist areas 
impacted by coal or uranium development activities. Assistance is for 
the purposes of growth management, housing planning, and acquiring and 
developing sites for housing and public facilities.
    The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310 B(c) 
(7 U.S.C. 1932 (c)), authorizes Rural Business Enterprise Grants to 
public bodies and nonprofit corporations to facilitate the development 
of private businesses in rural areas.
    The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310 
B(f)(i) (7 U.S.C. 1932 (c)), authorizes Rural Technology and 
Cooperative Development Grants to nonprofit institutions for the 
purpose of enabling such institutions to establish and operate centers 
for rural technology or cooperative development.
    The Farm Ownership loan program is authorized by the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act, Pub.L. 91-229, to make insured loans to 
Indian Tribes or tribal corporations within tribal reservations and 
Alaskan communities. The Act also gives Farmer Programs the authority 
to make loans for grazing, other irrigation and drainage projects, and 
association irrigation and drainage loans.
    The purpose of the loan and grant servicing function for the above 
programs is to assist recipients to meet the objectives of loans and 
grants, repay loans on schedule, comply with agreements, and protect 
the Government's financial interest. Routine servicing responsibilities 
include collection of payments, compliance reviews, security 
inspections, review of financial reports, and supervision activities.
    Supervision by the Agencies include, but is not limited to: review 
of budgets, management reports, audits and financial statements; 
performing security inspections and providing, arranging, or 
recommending technical assistance; evaluating environmental impacts of 
proposed actions by the borrower; and performing civil rights 
compliance reviews.
    Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants 
and borrowers. Under the provisions of this regulation, the information 
collected will be primarily financial data.
    Failure to collect information could result in improper servicing 
of these loans.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.66 hours per response.
    Respondents: State, local or tribal Governments, Not-for-profit 
institutions.

[[Page 51401]]

    Estimated Number of Respondents: 110.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.63.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 120 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Barbara 
Williams, Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, (202) 720-
9734.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the function of the Agencies, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agencies' estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to Barbara 
Williams, Regulations and Paperwork Management Division, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Stop 0743, l400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-0743. All responses to 
this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 29, 1996.
Maureen Kennedy,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

    Dated: September 4, 1996.
John Romano,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.

    Dated: September 17, 1996.
Dayton Watkins,
Administrator Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

    Dated: September 19, 1996.
Grant Buntrock,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 96-25007 Filed 10-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-07-U