[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15148-15149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7402]


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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 May 27, 2003.

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.

[[Page 15149]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 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 an 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: Technical Assistance Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0112.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved 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, American Indian tribes, and nonprofit 
corporations to fund the development of drinking water, wastewater, and 
solid waste disposal facilities in rural areas with populations of up 
to 10,000 residents. Under the CONACT, 7 U.S.C. 1925(a), as amended, 
section 306(a)(14)(A) authorizes Technical Assistance and Training 
grants, and 7 U.S.C. 1932(b), section 310B authorizes Solid Waste 
Management grants. Grants are made for 100 percent of the cost of 
assistance. The Technical Assistance and Training Grants and Solid 
Waste Management Grants programs are administered through 7 CFR part 
1775.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 80.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 17.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,168.
    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: March 10, 2003.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 03-7402 Filed 3-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P