[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 79 (Monday, April 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21714-21715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10139]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 79 / Monday, April 24, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 21714]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

April 19, 2000.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (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 assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503 and to 
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling (202) 720-6746.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Research on Rural Cooperative Opportunities and Problems.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0028.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) 
was established by Public Law 103-350; the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994. The mission of RBS is to improve the 
quality of life in rural America by financing community facilities and 
businesses, providing technical assistance and creating effective 
strategies for rural development. The primary objective of this funding 
is to encourage research through cooperative agreements on critical 
issues vital to the development and sustainability of cooperatives as a 
means of improving the quality of life in America's rural communities. 
RBS will collect information through research proposals prepared by 
applicants, who may be public or private colleges or universities, 
research foundations maintained, by a college or university, or private 
nonprofit organizations.
    Need and Use of the Information: RBS will collect project proposal 
information from applicants to determine (1) eligibility; (2) the 
specific purpose for which the funds will be utilized; (3) time frames 
or dates by which activities surrounding the use of funds will be 
accomplished; (4) feasibility of the project; (5) applicants' 
experience in managing similar activities; and (6) the effectiveness 
and innovation used to address critical issues vital to the development 
and sustainability of cooperatives as a means of improving the quality 
of life in America's rural communities. Without the collection of 
information, there would be no basis on which to award funds or monitor 
project progress.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 50.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,140.

Foreign Agricultural Service

    Title: Market Access Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0551-0027.
    Summary of Collection: The Market Access Program (MAP) is 
authorized by section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, as 
amended. The primary objective of the MAP is to encourage the 
development, maintenance and expansion of commercial export markets for 
U.S. agricultural products through cost-share assistance to eligible 
trade organizations that implement a foreign market development 
program. Personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) administer 
the MAP. Prior to initiating program activities, participants must 
submit detailed applications to FAS, which include country strategies, 
constraints, goals, and benchmarks, proposed activities, estimated 
budgets, and performance measurements.
    Need and Use of the Information: FAS will collect information to 
manage, plan, evaluate, and account for government resources. The 
information will be used for the allocation of funds, program 
management, planning and evaluation. If information is not available 
which provides evidence taxpayer funds are being disbursed in 
accordance with authorizing legislation, ethical standards, and 
standard Government rules and regulations, regulatory offices such as 
the General Accounting Office (GAO) or the Office of the Inspector 
General (OIG) would likely recommend terminating the program.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 70.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 62,830.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1717 Subpart Y, Settlement of Debt Owed by Electric 
Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0116.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to electric systems to provide and 
improve electric service in rural areas pursuant to the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) (RE 
Act). The Rural Utilities Service makes mortgage loans and loan 
guarantees to electric systems to provide and improve electric service 
in rural areas. Only those electric borrowers that are unable to fully 
repay their debts to the government and who apply to RUS for relief 
will be affected by this collection

[[Page 21715]]

of information. The information collected will be similar to that which 
any prudent lender would require to determine whether debt settlement 
is required and the amount of relief that is needed.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine the need for debt settlement; the amount of debt the borrower 
can repay; the future scheduling of debt repayment; and, the range of 
opportunities for enhancing the amount of debt that can be recovered.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 3,000.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Inventory of Work Orders.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0019.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, 
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. RUS 
manages loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act 
(RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended and as prescribed by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-129, Policies for 
Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables, which states that 
agencies must, based on a review of a loan application, determine that 
an applicant complies with statutory, regulatory, and administrative 
eligibility requirements for loan assistance. RUS Form 219, Inventory 
of Work Orders, is one of the documents the borrower submits to RUS to 
support actual expenditures and an advance of loan funds.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
monitor the activities of the borrower to ensure that funds are being 
used for RUS purposes. If the information were not collected, RUS would 
be unable to determine whether borrowers were appropriating loan funds 
for the purposes specified at the inception of he loan contract.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 750.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 10,125.

Rural Housing Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1942-A, Community Facility Loans.
    OMB Control Number: 0575-0015.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RUS) is a credit 
agency within the Rural Development mission area of the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture (USDA). The Community Programs Division of the RHS 
administers the Community Facilities program under 7 CFR part 1942, 
subpart A. Rural Development provides loan and grant funds through the 
Community Facilities program to finance many types of projects varying 
in size and complexity, from large general hospitals to small fire 
trucks. The facilities financed are designed to promote the development 
of rural communities by providing the infrastructure necessary to 
attract residents and rural jobs. RUS will collect information using 
several forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine applicant/borrower eligibility, project feasibility, and to 
ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan and grant funds 
for authorized purposes. Failure to collect proper information could 
result in improper determinations of eligibility, improper use of 
funds, and/or unsound loans.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 3,020.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 61,076.

William McAndrew,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-10139 Filed 4-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M