[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48101-48102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16184]


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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 October 17, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard C. Annan, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5818 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 reinstatement.
    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, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural 
Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1522, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-4120.
    Title: RUS Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of 
Timber Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0076.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: 7 CFR 1728.202 and RUS Bulletin 1728H-702 describe the 
responsibilities and procedures pertaining to the quality control by 
producers and pertaining to inspection of timber products produced in 
accordance with RUS specifications. In order to ensure the security of 
loan funds, adequate quality control of timber products is vital to 
loan security on electric power systems where hundreds of thousands of 
wood poles and cross-arms are used. Since RUS and its borrowers do not 
have the expertise or manpower to quickly determine imperfections in 
the wood products or their preservatives treatments, they must obtain 
service of an inspection agency to insure that the specifications for 
week poles and cross-arms are being met.
    Estimate of Burden: This collection of information is estimated to 
average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business or other for 
profit.

[[Page 48102]]

    Estimated Number of Respondents: 700.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 58.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 40.763 hours.
    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, 2005.
Michael P. Thieman,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16184 Filed 8-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P