[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 69683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32288]


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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, Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Agencies to request an extension 
for a currently approved information collection in support of 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other 
applicable environmental requirements.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 14, 2000 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard A. Davis, Director, Program 
Support Staff, Rural Housing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Stop 0761, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-0761, 
Telephone (202) 720-9619.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR 1940 Subpart G, ``Environmental Program.''
    OMB Number: 0575-0094.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2000.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-0094 
enables the Agencies to effectively administer the policies, methods, 
and responsibilities for compliance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act and other applicable environmental laws, executive orders, 
and regulations.
    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires Federal 
agencies to consider the potential environmental impacts of proposed 
major federal actions in Agency planning and decision-making processes. 
For the Agencies to comply, it is necessary that they have information 
on the types of environmental resources on site or in the vicinity that 
might be impacted by the proposed action, as well as information on the 
nature of the project selected by the applicant (the activities to be 
carried out at the site; any air, liquid and solid wastes produced by 
these activities, etc.). The applicant is the only logical source for 
providing this information. In fact, the vast majority of Federal 
Agencies that assist non-Federal applicants in sponsoring projects 
require these applicants to submit such environmental data.
    The Agencies provide forms and/or other guidance to assist in the 
collection and submission of information. The information is usually 
submitted via hand delivery or U.S. Postal Service to the appropriate 
Agency office.
    The information is used by the Agency officer who is processing the 
application for financial assistance or request for approval. Having 
environmental information on the proposed project site and the 
activities to be conducted there enables the Agency official to 
determine the magnitude of the potential environmental impacts and to 
take such impacts into consideration in Agency planning and decision-
making as required by NEPA. The analysis of the potential environmental 
impacts of a proposed action is considered to be a full disclosure 
process, and therefore, can involve public information meetings and 
public notification.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.94 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, local governments, farms, 
business or other for-profit, non-profit institutions, and small 
businesses and organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,050.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.71.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,320 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Renita 
Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0035.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agencies, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of 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, (b) the accuracy of 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 through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to Renita Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork 
Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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: November 19, 1999.
Eileen M. Fitzgerald,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

    Dated: November 16, 1999.
William F. Hagy, III,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

    Dated: November 22, 1999.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.

    Dated: November 24, 1999.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 99-32288 Filed 12-13-99; 8:45 am]
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