[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 74 (Friday, April 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 20589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8615]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Request for Revision and Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection; Management Advice to Individual Borrowers and 
Applicants

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intent of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to request 
an extension and revision of the Office of Management and Budget's 
(OMB) approval of the information collection which supports the FSA, 
Farm Loan Programs (FLP) loan making and servicing applications. This 
renewal does not involve any revisions to the program regulations.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before June 15, 
2004, to be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail Wargo, Senior Loan Officer, USDA, 
FSA, Farm Loan Programs, Program Development and Economic Enhancement 
Division, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0521, Washington, DC 
20250-0521; telephone (202) 720-3647; electronic mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Management Advice to Individual 
Borrowers and Applicants.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0154.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The information collected under OMB Control Number 0560-
0154 is necessary to provide proper farm assessments, credit counseling 
and supervision to direct loan borrowers in accordance with the 
requirements of 7 CFR part 1924, subpart B as authorized by the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. Specifically, the Agency 
uses the information to protect the government's financial interests by 
ensuring that the farming operations of direct loan applicants and 
borrowers are properly assessed for short and long-term financial 
feasibility. The information is needed by the Agency to assure that the 
recipients of direct loans receive appropriate credit counseling and 
supervision to ensure the greatest chance for financial success.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.50 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, businesses or other for 
profit and farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 55,542.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.00.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 143,059.
    Comments are sought on these requirements including: (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 assumptions used; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; or (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including the 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical or other 
technological collections techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    These comments should be sent to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Washington, DC 20503 and to Gail Wargo, USDA, FSA, Farm Loan 
Programs, Program Development and Economic Enhancement Division, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0521, Washington, DC 20250-0521. Copies 
of the information collection may be obtained from Gail Wargo at the 
above address. Comments regarding paperwork burden will be summarized 
and included in the request for OMB approval of the information 
collection. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2004.
Verle E. Lanier,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 04-8615 Filed 4-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P