[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 94 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 26286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12068]


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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 July 14, 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.

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 extension.
    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: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0096.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection package.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine (DLT) Loan and Grant program provides loans and grants for 
advanced telecommunications services to improve rural areas' access to 
educational and medical services. The various forms and narrative 
statements required are collected from the applicants (rural community 
facilities, such as schools, libraries, hospitals, and medical 
facilities, for example). The purpose of collecting the information is 
to determine such factors as eligibility of the applicant; the specific 
nature of the proposed project; the purposes for which loan and grant 
funds will be used; project financial and technical feasibility; and, 
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, for 
grants funded pursuant to the competitive evaluation process, 
information collected facilitates RUS' selection of those applications 
most consistent with DLT goals and objectives in accordance with the 
authorizing legislation and implementing regulation.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.47 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-profit 
institutions; and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 22.00.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 16,316 hours.
    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: May 9, 2003.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 03-12068 Filed 5-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P