[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 53104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22849]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection, comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) 
intention to request an extension for a currently approved information 
collection in support of the Rural Cooperative Development Grants 
program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 7, 2003, to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Warman, Program Leader, 
Cooperative Services, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Stop 3250, Room 4016, South Agriculture 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3250. 
Telephone (202) 690-1431.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Cooperative Development Grants.
    OMB Number: 0570-0006.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2003.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend the clearance for collection of 
information under RD Instruction 4282-F, Rural Cooperative Development 
Grants.
    Abstract: The primary purpose of the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (RBS) is to promote understanding, use, and development of the 
cooperative form of business as a viable option for enhancing the 
income of agricultural producers and other rural residents. The primary 
objective of the Rural Cooperative Development Grants program is to 
improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative 
development. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to nonprofit 
corporations and institutions of higher education based on specific 
selection criteria.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 36 hours per grant application.
    Respondents: Nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher 
education.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 75.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 75.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,675 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Brigitte 
Sumter, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0042.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
RBS functions, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of RBS' 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 Brigitte 
Sumter, Regulations and Paperwork 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: August 7, 2003.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22849 Filed 9-8-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-U