[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 204 (Wednesday, October 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 60333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26582]


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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 December 22, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Annan, Acting Director, 
Program Development & Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5168 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0736. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR Part 1794, Environmental Policies and Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0117.
    Type of Request: Extension of a previously approved collection with 
change.
    Abstract: The information collection contained in this rule are 
requirements prescribed by the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321-4346), the Council on 
Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural 
Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and certain related 
Federal environmental laws, statutes, regulations, and Executive 
Orders.
    RUS applicants provide environmental documentation, as prescribed 
by the rule, to assure that policy contained in NEPA is followed. The 
burden varies depending on the type, size, and location of each 
project, which then prescribes the type of information collection 
involved. The collection of information is only that information that 
is essential for RUS to provide environmental safeguards and to comply 
with NEPA as implemented by the CEQ regulations.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 240 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit and non-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 600.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 450,200 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Dawn 
Wolfgang, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service at (202) 720-0812.
    Comments are invited on (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumption 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 on 
other forms of information technology.
    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: October 16, 2003.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Deputy Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26582 Filed 10-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P