[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23102-23103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10525]


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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. 68, No. 83 / Wednesday, April 30, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 23102]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Rural Utilities Service

Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (RBS), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and Farm Service Agency 
(FSA), USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the above-named Agencies to request 
an extension for a currently approved information collection in support 
of debt settlement of Community Facilities and Direct Business Program 
Loans and Grants.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 30, 2003 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For inquiries on the Information 
Collection Package, contact Renita Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork 
Management Branch, (202) 692-0035. For program content, contact Derek 
L. Jones, Senior Loan Specialist, Community Programs, RHS, USDA, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Mail Stop 0787, Washington, DC 20250-0787, 
Telephone (202) 720-1504, E-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR part 1956, subpart C--``Debt Settlement-Community and 
Business Programs.''
    OMB Number: 0575-0124.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The following Community and Direct Business Programs 
loans and grants are debt settled by this currently approved docket 
(0575-0124). The Community Facilities loan and grant program is 
authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public entities, 
nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes through the Community 
Facilities program for the development of essential community 
facilities primarily serving rural residents.
    The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Title 3 (Pub. L. 88-452), 
authorizes Economic Opportunity Cooperative loans to assist 
incorporated and unincorporated associations to provide low-income 
rural families essential processing, purchasing, or marketing services, 
supplies, or facilities.
    The Food Security Act of 1985, Section 1323 (Pub. L. 99-198), 
authorizes loan guarantees and grants to Nonprofit National 
Corporations to provide technical and financial assistance to for-
profit or nonprofit local businesses in rural areas.
    The Business and Industry program is authorized by Section 310 B (7 
U.S.C. 1932) (Pub. L. 92.419, August 30, 1972) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act to improve, develop, or finance business, 
industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental 
climate in rural communities, including pollution abatement control.
    The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310 B(c) 
(7 U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorizes Rural Business Enterprise Grants to 
public bodies and nonprofit corporations to facilitate the development 
of private businesses in rural areas.
    The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310 
B(f)(i) (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorized Rural Cooperative Development 
Grants to nonprofit institutions for the purpose of enabling such 
institutions to establish and operate centers for rural cooperative 
development.
    The FSA is authorized by 25 U.S.C. 488-494, to make loans through 
its Indian tribal land loan program to individuals, tribes, or tribal 
corporations within tribal reservations and Alaskan communities. The 
authority for FSA to make loans for grazing, irrigation and drainage, 
and farm ownership recreation loans is provided by the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1926 Sections 330-
381).
    The purpose of the debt settlement function for the above programs 
is to provide the delinquent client with an equitable tool for the 
compromise, adjustment, cancellation, or charge-off of a debt owed to 
the Agency. The information collected is similar to that required by a 
commercial lender in similar circumstances.
    Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, 
borrowers, consultants, lenders, and attorneys.
    Failure to collect information could result in improper servicing 
of these loans.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 8 hours per response.
    Respondents: Public bodies and nonprofit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 813 hours.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 5.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Renita 
Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, (202) 692-0035.
    Comments: 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 Renita Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork

[[Page 23103]]

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: April 9, 2003.
Arthur A. Garcia,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
    Dated: April 7, 2003.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Dated: April 7, 2003.
Hilda Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
    Dated: April 8, 2003.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 03-10525 Filed 4-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-U