[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 250 (Monday, December 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79563-79564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32826]


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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).

[[Page 79564]]


DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 28, 2003.

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, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0736. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR Part 1753, Telecommunications System Construction 
Policies and Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0059.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement of a previously approved collection 
for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: In order to facilitate the programmatic interest of the 
RE Act, and, in order to assure that loans made or guaranteed by RUS 
are adequately secured, RUS, as a secured lender, has established 
certain forms for materials, equipment and construction of electric and 
telecommunications systems. The use of standard forms, construction 
contracts, and procurement procedures helps assure RUS that appropriate 
standards and specifications are maintained, RUS' loan security is not 
adversely affected; and the loan and loan guarantee funds are used 
effectively and for the intended purposes.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit and non-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 150.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,011 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Dawn 
Wolfgang, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service at (202) 720-0812. 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: December 23, 2002.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Deputy Administrator as Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 02-32826 Filed 12-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P