[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 88 (Thursday, May 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25368-25369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10281]


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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 July 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: Weather Radio Transmitter Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0124.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The National Weather Service operates an All Hazards 
Early Warning System that alerts people in areas covered by its 
transmissions of approaching dangerous weather and other emergencies. 
The National Weather Service can typically provide warnings of specific 
weather dangers up to fifteen minutes prior to the event. At

[[Page 25369]]

present, this system covers all major metropolitan areas and many 
smaller cities and towns; however, many rural areas lack NOAA Weather 
Radio coverage. The Rural Utilities Service Weather Radio Transmitter 
Grant Program finances the installation of new transmitters to extend 
the coverage of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
Weather Radio system (NOAA Weather Radio) in rural America thereby 
promoting public safety and awareness. The President of the United 
States and the United States Congress have made $5 million in grant 
funds available to facilitate the expansion of NOAA Weather Radio 
system coverage into rural areas that are not covered or are poorly 
covered at this time. This grant program will continue to provide grant 
funds, on an expedited basis, for use in rural areas and communities of 
50,000 or less inhabitants. Grant funds are available immediately and 
applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis 
until the appropriation is used in its entirety. Grant funds are used 
to purchase and install NOAA Weather Radio transmitters and antennas 
that are combined with donated tower space and other site resources to 
establish new rural NOAA Weather Radio transmitters. Eligible 
applicants must be non-profit corporations or associations (including 
Rural Utilities Service electric and telecommunications borrower 
cooperatives), units of local or state government, or Federally-
recognized Indian tribes.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 6 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions, State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 113.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,356.
    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: April 30, 2004.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10281 Filed 5-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P