[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 37 (Friday, February 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9267-9268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3623]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Rural Utilities Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Utilities Service (RUS), 
and Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the above-named Agencies to request 
an extension for the currently approved information collection in 
support of the servicing of Community and Direct Business Programs 
Loans and Grants.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 26, 2005 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For inquiries on the Information 
Collection Package, contact Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork 
Management Branch, at (202) 692-0039. For program content, contact Beth 
Jones, Senior Loan Specialist, Community Programs Servicing and Special 
Authorities Branch, RHS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Mail Stop 
0787, Washington, DC 20250-0787,

[[Page 9268]]

Telephone (202) 720-1498, E-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR 1951-E, Servicing of Community and Direct Business 
Programs Loans and Grants.
    OMB Number: 0575-0066.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2005.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The following Community and Direct Business Programs 
Loans and Grants are serviced by this currently approved docket (0575-
0066). The Community Facilities loan and grant program is authorized by 
Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public entities, nonprofit corporations, 
and Indian tribes through the Community Facilities program for the 
development of essential community facilities primarily serving rural 
residents.
    The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Title 3 (Pub. L. 88-452), 
authorizes Economic Cooperative Loans to assist incorporated and 
unincorporated associations to provide to low-income rural families 
essential processing, purchasing, or marketing services, supplies, or 
facilities.
    The Food Security Act of 1985, Section 1323 (Pub. L. 99-198), 
authorizes loan guarantees and grants to Nonprofit National 
Corporations to provide technical and financial assistance to for-
profit or nonprofit local businesses in rural areas.
    The Water and Waste Disposal program is authorized by Section 
306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1926(a)) to provide basic human amenities, alleviate health hazards, 
and promote the orderly growth of the rural areas of the Nation by 
meeting the need for new and improved water and waste disposal systems.
    The Business and Industry program is authorized by Section 310B (7 
U.S.C. 1932) (Pub. L. 92-419, August 30, 1972) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act to improve, develop, or finance business, 
industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental 
climate in rural communities, including pollution abatement control.
    The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310B(c) (7 
U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorized Rural Business Enterprise Grants to public 
bodies and nonprofit corporations to facilitate the development of 
private businesses in rural areas.
    The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, Section 310B(f)(i) 
(7 U.S.C. 1932(c)), authorized Rural Cooperative Development Grants to 
nonprofit institutions for the purpose of enabling such institutions to 
establish and operate centers for rural cooperative development.
    The purpose of the loan and grant servicing function for the above 
programs is to assist recipients to meet the objectives of the loans 
and grants, repay loans on schedule, comply with agreements, and 
protect the Government's financial interest. Routine servicing 
responsibilities include collection of payments, compliance reviews, 
security inspections, review of financial reports, determining 
applicant/borrower eligibility and project feasibility for various 
servicing actions, and supervision activities.
    Supervision by the Agencies includes, but is not limited to: review 
of budgets, management reports, audits and financial statements; 
performing security inspections and providing, arranging, or 
recommending technical assistance; evaluating environmental impacts of 
proposed actions by the borrower; and performing civil rights 
compliance reviews.
    Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, 
borrowers, consultants, lenders, and attorneys.
    Failure to collect information could result in improper servicing 
of these loans.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: State, local or tribal Governments, Not-for-profit 
institutions, businesses, and individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 607.
    Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1,307.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,188.
    Copies of the information collection can be obtained from Tracy 
Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0039.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agencies, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agencies' 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 Tracy Givelekian, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, 7th Floor, Room 701, 
300 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024. 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: February 17, 2005.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
    Dated: February 17, 2005.
Peter J. Thomas,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Dated: February 18, 2005.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 05-3623 Filed 2-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P