[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 24769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11886]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 86 / Tuesday, May 5, 1998 / Notices  

[[Page 24769]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Extension of Currently Approved Information 
Collection

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intent of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to request 
an extension of currently approved information collections for a 
regulation used in support of the FSA Farm Loan Program (FLP) (formerly 
Farmer Programs of the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA)). This 
renewal does not involve any revisions to the program rules.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before July 6, 
1998, to be assured consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information contact 
Phillip Elder, Senior Loan Officer, USDA, Farm Service Agency, Loan 
Servicing Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0523, 
Washington, D.C. 20013-0523; Telephone (202) 690-4012; Electronic mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR part 1951, subpart T, Disaster Set-Aside Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0164.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 1998.
    Type of Request: Extension of Currently Approved Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The Disaster Set-Aside program (DSA) is made available 
through the authority granted the Secretary of Agriculture under the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.1981a) (The Act). 
The set-aside program is designed to assist borrowers in financial 
distress who operated a farm or ranch in an area that was declared or 
designated a disaster area. As provided in Section 331A of the Act, the 
Secretary has the authority to defer principal and interest at the 
request of the borrower on a loan made by USDA under the Act. Under 
this program, FSA farm loan program borrowers can receive immediate 
financial relief by moving one annual installment for each loan to the 
end of the loan term. DSA allows eligible borrowers who are unable to 
make the payments to quickly eliminate their immediate financial 
stress.
    The public reporting burden imposed by this subpart requires 
borrowers who request DSA to document that their income will be reduced 
to an amount that will prevent payment of living and operating 
expenses, and amounts due FSA and other creditors. The information is 
required of FSA farm borrowers and collected by loan servicing 
officials to support approval of a set-aside request. The information 
to be collected will primarily be financial data not already on file, 
such as borrower asset values, expenses and income. This information 
will be analyzed expediently to determine that disaster victims need 
payment relief.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 18 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, businesses or other for 
profit and farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 10,700.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.75.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,646 hours.
    The Agency is soliciting comments on the burden of all of the above 
subparts regarding: (a) Whether the 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 including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. These comments should be sent to 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503 and to 
Phillip Elder, Senior Loan Officer, USDA, FSA, Farm Loan Programs, Loan 
Servicing Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0523, 
Washington, D.C. 20250-0523. Copies of the information collections may 
be obtained from Mr. Elder at the above address. Comments regarding 
paperwork burden will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval of the information collection. All comments will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed in Washington, D.C., on April 28, 1998.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 98-11886 Filed 5-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P