[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 189 (Thursday, September 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 58260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24924]


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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 November 27, 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: 7 CFR Part 1794, Environmental Policies and Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0117.
    Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved collection with 
change.
    Abstract: The information collection contained in this rule are 
requirements prescribed the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321-4346), the Council on Environmental 
Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of 
NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and certain related Federal 
environmental laws, statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.
    The major events which influenced the promulgation of the revisions 
to this rule was the 1994 reorganization of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, which transferred the water and waste program from the 
former Farmers Home Administration to RUS, reforms within the electric 
and telecommunications programs, and fundamental changes in RUS' 
implementation of the CEQ regulations.
    RUS applicants provide environmental documentation, as prescribed 
by the rule, to assure that policy contained in NEPA is followed. The 
burden varies depending on the type, size, and location of each 
project, which then prescribes the type of information collection 
involved. The collection of information is only that information that 
is essential for RUS to provide environmental safeguards and to comply 
with NEPA as implemented by the CEQ regulations.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 229 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit and non-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 600.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 440,000 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Bob 
Turner, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service 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.
    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: September 21, 2000.
Christopher A. McLean,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 00-24924 Filed 9-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P