[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11976-11977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5427]


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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 new information collection for which RUS 
intends to

[[Page 11977]]

request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 8, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 4036 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-9550. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies a new information collection that 
RUS is submitting to OMB for approval.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the 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 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: F. 
Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, Program Development and Regulatory 
Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 
1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: 
(202) 720-4120.
    Title: Customer Service for Rural Utilities Service Borrowers.
    Type of Request: New collection approval.
    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). In order to comply with E.O. 12862, 
``Setting Customer Service Standards,'' RUS intends to survey its 
electric and telecommunications borrowers to determine the kind and 
quality of services customers want and the level of satisfaction with 
existing services. The Agency will use the information obtained from 
the survey to improve service where needed.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response. 
Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business or other for-profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 48 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Michele 
Brooks, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 690-1078. 
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: February 28, 2000.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5427 Filed 3-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-M