[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 145 (Tuesday, July 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 44521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19173]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 145 / Tuesday, July 29, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 44521]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection--Operating Loans; Policies, Procedures, Authorizations and 
Closings

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is seeking comments from all interested 
individuals and entities on the extension and revision of a currently 
approved information collection used in support of the Farm Loan 
Programs (FLP). The collection of information from FLP applicants and 
commercial lenders is used to determine eligibility; financial 
feasibility and security positions when the applicant applies for 
direct loan assistance.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before September 
29, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to: 
Cathy Quayle, Senior Loan Officer, USDA, Farm Service Agency, Loan 
Making Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0522, Washington, 
DC 20250-0522, and to: the Desk Office for Agriculture, Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Washington, DC 20503. Comments may be submitted by email to: 
[email protected]. Copies of the information collection may be 
obtained by contacting Cathy Quayle.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathy Quayle, Loan Making Division, 
(202) 690-4018.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Operating Loans; Policies, Procedures, Authorizations and 
Closings
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0162
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2004
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under OMB Control Number is 
0560-0162 is necessary to effectively administer the operating loan 
program in accordance with the requirements in 7 CFR part 1941 as 
authorized by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. 
Specifically, the Agency uses the information to evaluate loan making 
or loan servicing proposals, and to process loan closings. The 
information is needed to evaluate an applicant's eligibility, and to 
determine if the operation is economically feasible and if the security 
offered in support of the loan is adequate.
    Estimate of Respondent Burden: Public reporting burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to average .12 hours per 
response
    Respondents: Individuals or households, businesses or other for 
profit and farms
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 51,466
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,176
    Comment is invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the above stated purposes and the proper performance of 
FSA, 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 assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility and clarity of the information being 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.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the Office of Management 
and Budget Approval.

    Signed in Washington, DC on July 16, 2003.
James R. Little,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 03-19173 Filed 7-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P