[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59836-59837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22445]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1783

RIN 0572-AB95


Grant Program To Establish a Fund for Financing Water and 
Wastewater Projects (Revolving Fund Program (RFP))

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: On May 13, 2002, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (Farm Bill) was signed into law as Public Law 107-171. Section 
6002 of the Farm Bill amended the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (CONACT), by adding a grant program to establish a 
revolving loan fund. The Secretary may make grants to qualified, 
private, non-profit entities. The grant recipients will use the grant 
funds to establish a revolving loan fund. The loans will be made to 
eligible entities to finance pre-development costs associated with 
proposed water and wastewater projects or with existing water and 
wastewater systems, and short-term costs incurred for replacement 
equipment, small-scale extension of services, or other small capital 
projects that are not part of the regular operations and maintenance 
activities of existing water and wastewater systems. The Rural 
Utilities Service (RUS) is proposing to publish rules and regulations 
to establish the Grant Program to Establish a Fund for Financing Water 
and Wastewater Projects (Revolving Fund Program (RFP)) as authorized by 
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT), as amended by 
Section 6002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(Farm Bill).
    In the final rule 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 document will be

[[Page 59837]]

published withdrawing the direct final rule and all public comments 
received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule. Any parties 
interested in commenting on this proposed action should do so at this 
time.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received on or before 
November 5, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit adverse comments or notice of intent to submit 
adverse comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instruction 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 ``7 CFR 1783.''
     Mail: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, United 
States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, STOP 1522, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Addressed to Richard Annan, Acting 
Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 5168-S, Washington, DC 20250-1522.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Saulnier, Loan Specialist, 
Water Programs Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2235-S, Stop 1570, 
Washington, DC 20250-1570. Telephone (202) 690-2526. E-Mail: 
[email protected].

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

    Dated: September 2, 2004.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 04-22445 Filed 10-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P