[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11977-11978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5428]


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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 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: Water and Waste Loans and Grants.
    Type of Request: New Information Collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service is authorized by Section 306 
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) to 
make loans to public agencies, nonprofit corporations, and Indian 
tribes to fund water and waste disposal projects serving the most 
financially needy rural communities through the Water and Waste loan 
and grant program. Financial assistance should result in reasonable 
user costs for rural residents, rural businesses, and other rural 
users. The program is limited to rural areas and small towns with a 
population of 10,000 or less. The Water and Waste loan and grant 
program is administered through 7 CFR Part 1780. This program is 
currently cleared under OMB Control Number 0575-0015 and included with 
the Rural Housing Service's Community Facilities loan and grant 
program. At this time, RUS is requesting approval from OMB for a 
separate collection for its Water and Waste loan and grant program.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.65 hours per response.

[[Page 11978]]

    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 51.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 134,240 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 29, 2000.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5428 Filed 3-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P