[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18039-18040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7701]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Housing 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 Housing Service's intention to request an 
extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 
the program for Fire and Rescue Loans.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 7, 2004 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derek L. Jones, Loan Specialist, 
Community Programs Division, RHS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 
0787, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0787. 
Telephone (202) 720-1504.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Fire and Rescue Loans.
    OMB Number: 0575-0120.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Fire and Rescue Loan program is authorized by Section 
306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) 
to make loans to public entities, nonprofit corporations, and Indian 
tribes for the development of community facilities for public use in 
rural areas and is covered by 7 CFR 1942-C. The primary regulation for 
administering the Community Facilities program is 7 CFR 1942-A (OMB 
Number 0575-0015) that outlines eligibility, project feasibility, 
security, and monitoring requirements.
    The Community Facilities fire and rescue program has been in 
existence for many years. This program has financed a wide range of 
fire and rescue projects varying in size and complexity from 
construction of a fire station with fire fighting and rescue equipment 
to financing a 911 emergency system. These facilities are designed to 
provide fire protection and emergency rescue services to rural 
communities.
    Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, 
borrowers, and consultants. This information will be used to determine 
applicant/borrower eligibility, project feasibility, and to ensure 
borrowers operate on a sound basis and use funds for authorized 
purposes. Failure to collect proper information could result in 
improper determination 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 2.15 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions, State, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,544.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 5.33.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,232 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Brigitte 
Sumter, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, (202) 692-0042.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Rural Housing Service (RHS), including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of RHS'' 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

[[Page 18040]]

request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: March 16, 2004.
Arthur A. Garcia,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7701 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P