[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 84 (Friday, April 30, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 23697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9612]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 84 / Friday, April 30, 2004 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 23697]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1792

RIN 0572-AB74


Seismic Safety

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the 
United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities 
Programs is amending its regulations to update the seismic safety 
requirements of the agency. These amendments will provide RUS 
borrowers, grant recipients, Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) borrowers, and 
the public with updated rules for compliance with seismic safety 
requirements for new building construction using RUS or RTB loan, grant 
or guaranteed funds or funds provided through lien accommodations or 
subordinations approved by RUS or RTB.
    In the final rules section of this Federal Register, RUS is 
publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal 
because RUS views this as a non-controversial action and anticipates no 
adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in response to 
the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on this proposed 
rule and the action will become effective at the time specified in the 
direct final rule. If RUS receives adverse comments, a timely document 
will be published withdrawing the direct final rule and all public 
comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on 
this action.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received by RUS via 
facsimile transmission or carry a postmark or equivalent no later than 
June 1, 2004.

ADDRESSESS: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Agency Web Site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/index2/Comments.htm. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include in the 
subject line of the message ``Seismic Safety''.
     Mail: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting 
Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
STOP 1522, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Addressed to Richard 
Annan, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, 
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 5168 South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-1522.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include that agency 
name and the subject heading ``Seismic Safety.'' All comments received 
must identify the name of the individual (and the name of the entity, 
if applicable) who is submitting the comment. All comments received 
will be posted without change to http://www.usda.gov/rus/index2/Comments.htm, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Donald Heald, Structural Engineer, 
Transmission Branch, Electric Staff Division, Rural Utilities Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 
1569, Washington, DC 20250-1569. Telephone: (202) 720-9102. Fax: (202) 
720-7491.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION provided 
in the direct final rule located in the Rules and Regulations direct 
final rule section of this Federal Register for the applicable 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION on this action.

    Dated: April 15, 2004.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9612 Filed 4-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P