[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 71408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33057]


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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 February 22, 2000.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Request for Release of Lien and/or Approval of Sale.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0041.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement without change of previously 
approved 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 a 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 its assets. The form collects detailed 
information regarding the proposed sale of a portion of the borrower's 
system. 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 businesses or organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 213.
    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, D.C. 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: December 14, 1999.
Christopher McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33057 Filed 12-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P