[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68327-68328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30032]


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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 February 6, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard C. Annan, Acting 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) 720-8818. 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: Richard 
C. Annan, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, 
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1522, 
Room 5170 South Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20250-1522. Fax: (202) 720-4120.
    Title: Broadband Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0127.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The provision of broadband transmission service is vital 
to the economic development, education, health, and safety of rural 
Americans. To further this objective, RUS provides financial assistance 
in the form of grant to eligible entities that propose, on a 
``community-oriented connectivity'' basis, to provide broadband 
transmission service that fosters

[[Page 68328]]

economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and 
public safety services to extremely rural, lower income communities. 
RUS gives priority to rural areas that it believes have the greatest 
need for broadband transmission services. Grant authority is utilized 
to deploy broadband infrastructure to extremely rural, lower income 
communities on a ``community-oriented connectivity'' basis. The 
``community-oriented connectivity'' concept integrates the deployment 
of broadband infrastructure with the practical, everyday uses and 
applications of the facilities. This broadband access is intended to 
promote economic development and provide enhanced educational and 
health care opportunities. RUS provides financial assistance to 
eligible entities that are proposing to deploy broadband transmission 
service in rural communities where such service does not currently 
exist and who will connect the critical community facilities including 
the local schools, libraries, hospitals, police, fire and rescue 
services and who will operate a community center that provides free and 
open access to residents.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 154.87 hours per response.
    Respondents: Public bodies, commercial companies, cooperatives, 
nonprofits, Indian tribes, and limited dividend or mutual associations 
and must be incorporated or a limited liability company.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 48,010.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat 
Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-7853, 
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: November 26, 2003.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30032 Filed 12-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P