[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 177 (Friday, September 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 53709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23217]



[[Page 53709]]

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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 November 12, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard C. Annan, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5170 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0784. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 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: Michele 
Brooks, 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: 7 CFR 1779, Water and Waste Disposal Programs Guaranteed 
Loans.
    OMB Number: 0572-0122.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
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, nonprofit corporations, and Indian 
tribes for the development of water and waste disposal facilities 
primarily servicing rural residents. The guaranteed loan program 
encourages lender participation and provides specific guidance in the 
processing and servicing of guaranteed loans. The regulations governing 
the Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan program are codified at 7 
CFR 1779. The required information, in the form of written 
documentation and Agency approved forms, is collected from applicants/
borrowers, their lenders, and consultants. The collected information 
will be used to determine applicant/borrower eligibility, project 
feasibility, and to ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use 
loan funds for authorized purposes. Failure to collect proper 
information could result in improper determinations of eligibility, 
improper use of funds, and/or unsound loans.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 7.8 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for profit; Not-for-profit 
institutions; State, local or tribal government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7.3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 858 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: September 5, 2003.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 03-23217 Filed 9-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P