[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 175 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 47624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23947]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends 
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 10, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, 
Program Support and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone (202) 720-0736.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: RUS Form 793, Request for Release of Lien and/or Approval of 
Sale.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0041.
    Type of request: Reinstatement of an information collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) makes mortgage loans 
and loan guarantees to electric and telecommunications systems to 
provide and improve electric and telecommunications service in rural 
areas pursuant to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 
U.S.C., 901 et seq.,) (RE Act). All current and future capital assets 
of RUS borrowers are ordinarily mortgaged or pledged to the Federal 
Government as security for RUS loans. Assets include tangible and 
intangible utility plant, non-utility property, construction in 
progress, and materials, supplies, and equipment normally used in a 
telecommunications system. The RE Act and the various security 
instruments, e.g., the RUS mortgage, limit the rights of an RUS 
borrower to dispose of its capital assets.
    The RUS Form 793, Request for Release of Lien and/or Approval of 
Sale, allows the telecommunications program borrower to seek agency 
permission to sell some of their assets. The form collects detailed 
information regarding the proposed sale of a portion of the borrower's 
systems. RUS telecommunications borrowers fill out the form to request 
RUS approval in order to sell capital assets.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.84 hours per response.
    Respondents: Small business or organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 213.
    Copies of this information collection, and related form and 
instructions, can be obtained from Dawn Wolfgang, Program Support and 
Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-0812.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether this proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (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 respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: F. Lamont 
Heppe, Jr., Director, Program Support and Regulatory Analysis, Rural 
Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1522, 1400 
Independence Avenue., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.
    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: September 4, 1997.
Adam Golodner,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 97-23947 Filed 9-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P