[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 165 (Thursday, August 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46636-46637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22244]


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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 October 25, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, USDA, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 4034 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0736. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR Part 1789, Use of Consultants Funded by Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0115.
    Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved collection.
    Abstract: On November 1, 1993, Public Law 103-129 amended section 
18 of the RE Act to provide a mechanism for expediting RUS reviews. As 
amended, section 18(c) authorized RUS to use consultants voluntarily 
funded by borrowers for financial, legal, engineering, and other 
technical services. Consultants may be used to facilitate timely action 
on loan applications by borrowers for financial assistance and for 
approvals required by RUS, pursuant to the terms of outstanding loans, 
or otherwise. RUS may not require borrowers to fund consultants. The 
provisions of section 18(c) may be utilized only at the borrower's 
request.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information

[[Page 46637]]

is estimated to average 2 hours per response.
    Respondents: Small cooperatives or similar organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Bob 
Turner, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-0696.
    Comments are invited on (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 assumption 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 through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques on 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to F. 
Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, Program Development and Regulatory 
Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Stop 1522, Room 4034 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522.
    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 19, 1999.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22244 Filed 8-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P