[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 78218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32191]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business--Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business--Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Business--Cooperative Service's intention to 
request an extension for a currently approved information collection in 
support of the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 21, 2003, 
to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Bonnet, Senior Commercial Loan 
Specialist, Business and Industry Division Processing Branch, Rural 
Business--Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 
3224, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3224; 
Telephone: (202) 720-1804; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Servicing Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans.
    OMB Number: 0570-0016.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The purpose of the program is to improve the economic and 
environmental climate in rural communities, including pollution 
abatement and control. This purpose is achieved through bolstering the 
existing private credit structure through guarantee of quality loans, 
which will provide lasting community benefits. This subpart contains 
requirements applicable to Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans 
administered by the Agency.
    Information being collected on guaranteed loans is typically 
collected from lenders. There are no new data collection requirements 
contained in the renewal notice.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .81 hours per response.
    Respondents: Guaranteed lenders.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,500.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.93.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 20,740.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 16,860 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy 
Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0039.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Rural Business--Cooperative Service (RBS), 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of RBS'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 Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 
20250. 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 11, 2002.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 02-32191 Filed 12-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P