[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32476-32477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15755]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1753


Acceptance Test Policy

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is publishing a minor 
amendment to its test acceptance procedures to correct 7 CFR part 
1753.39, paragraph (c), to reflect new acceptance tests guidelines 
covered under RUS Bulletin 1753E-201, Acceptance Tests for Digital, 
Stored Program Controlled Central Office Equipment.

DATES: This rule will become effective on August 15, 1997 unless we 
receive written adverse comments or notice of intent to submit adverse 
comments on or before July 16, 1997. Written comments must be received 
by RUS, or bear a postmark or equivalent, not later than July 16, 1997. 
If we receive such comment or notice, we will publish a timely notice 
in the Federal Register stating that the rule will not become effective 
until we have addressed the comments received and published a final 
rule. A second public comment period will not be held. Parties 
interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

ADDRESSES: Submit any adverse comments or notice of intent to submit 
adverse comments to Orren E. Cameron III, Director, Telecommunications 
Standards Division, Rural Utilities Service, STOP 1598, United States 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20250-1598. RUS requires, in hard copy, a signed original and three 
copies of all comments (7 CFR part 1700.30(e)). All comments received 
will be available for public inspection at Room 2835 (address as above) 
during regular business hours (7 CFR part 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John J. Schell, Chief, Central Office 
Equipment Branch, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural 
Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture, STOP 1598, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1598, telephone 
number (202) 720-0671.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866

    This rule has been determined to be not significant for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and, 
therefore has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB).

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    The Administrator of RUS has determined that this rule is not a 
rule as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.). Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to, 
this action.

National Environmental Policy Act Certification

    The Administrator of RUS has determined that this rule will not 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment as defined by 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
Therefore, this action does not require an environmental impact 
statement or assessment.

Executive Order 12372

    This rule is excluded from the scope of Executive Order 12372, 
Intergovernmental Consultation, which may require a consultation with 
State and local officials. A Notice of Final Rule titled Department 
Programs and Activities Excluded from Executive Order 12372 (50 FR 
47034) exempts RUS telephone loans and loan guarantees from coverage 
under this Order.

Executive Order 12988

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. RUS has determined that this rule meets the applicable 
standards provided in Sec. 3. of the Executive Order.

[[Page 32477]]

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The program described by this rule is listed in the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance Programs under No. 10.851, Rural Telephone 
Loans and Loan Guarantees. This catalog is available on a subscription 
basis from the Superintendent of Documents, the United States 
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    The reporting and recordkeeping burdens contained in this rule were 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 35, as amended) under 
control number 0572-0032.

Background

    This action is a minor amendment to add the current bulletin number 
for acceptance testing guidelines and remove information that is no 
longer valid.

Need for Correction

    As published, the final regulation contains errors which may prove 
to be misleading and are in need of clarification. As this amendment 
does not impose additional burden or requirements on the public, this 
is being published as direct final rulemaking. However, RUS would be 
pleased to receive comments from interested parties.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1753

    Communications equipment, Loan programs--communications, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Rural areas, Telephone.

    Accordingly, 7 CFR part 1753 is amended as follows:

PART 1753--TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS CONSTRUCTION POLICIES AND 
PROCEDURES

    1. The authority citation for part 1753 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.; 7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.; Pub. L. 
103-354,108 Stat. 3178 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.).

    2. Section 1753.39(c) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 1753.39  Closeout documents.

* * * * *
    (c) Acceptance tests. The borrower will perform acceptance tests as 
part of the partial closeout and final closeout of RUS Contract Form 
525. Tests that will demonstrate compliance with the requirements of 7 
CFR 1755.522 are contained in RUS Bulletin 1753E-201. Other tests 
demonstrating compliance will be acceptable. RUS Bulletin 1753E-201 is 
available from RUS, Program Support and Regulatory Analysis, STOP 1522, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
* * * * *
    Dated: June 9, 1997.
Jill Long Thompson,
Under Secretary, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 97-15755 Filed 6-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P