[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 10, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48452-48453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18250]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 12, 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) 720-0784 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: 7 CFR Part 1744, Subpart b, ``Lien Accommodations and 
Subordination Policy''.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0126.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Recent changes in the telecommunications industry, 
including deregulation and technological developments, have caused 
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers and other organizations 
providing telecommunications services to consider undertaking projects 
that provide new

[[Page 48453]]

telecommunications services and other telecommunications services not 
ordinarily financed by RUS. To facilitate the financing of those 
projects and services, this program helps to facilitate funding from 
non-RUS sources in order to meet the growing capital needs of rural 
Local Exchange Carriers (LECs).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit and non-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 23.
    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: August 5, 2004.
Blaine D. Stockton,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Services.
[FR Doc. 04-18250 Filed 8-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-M