[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 4557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1034]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 18 / Friday, January 27, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 4557]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

January 24, 2006.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) Whether the 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 burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1724, Electric Engineering Architectural Services 
and Design Policies.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0118.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq., authorization to Rural Utilities Service (RUS) make 
loans in several States and Territories of the United States for rural 
electrification and the furnishing and improving of electric energy to 
persons in rural areas. Title 7 CFR 1724 requires each borrower to 
select a qualified architect to perform certain architectural services 
and to use the designated form that provides for these services. The 
agency has developed standardized contractual forms used by borrowers 
to contract for services.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information collected from the 
forms is on and as needed basis or when the individual borrower 
undertakes certain projects. The standardization of the forms by RUS 
has resulted in substantial savings to borrowers by reducing 
preparation of the documentation and the costly review by the 
government.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 81.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 161.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Advance of Loan Funds and Budgetary Control and Related 
Burdens.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0015.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is 
authorized by the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936, as 
amended, ``to make loans in several States and territories of the 
United States for rural electrification and for the purpose of 
furnishing and improving electric and telephone service in rural areas 
and to assist electric borrowers to implement demand side management, 
energy conservation programs, and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy 
systems.'' Borrowers will provide the agency with information that 
supports the use of the funds as well as identify the type of projects 
for which they will use the funds.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS electric borrowers will submit 
RUS form 595 and 219. Form 595, Financial Requirement & Expenditure 
Statement, to request an advance of loan funds remaining for an 
existing approved loan and to report on the expenditure of previously 
advanced loan funds. Form 219, Inventory of Work Orders, serves as a 
connecting line and provides an audit trail that verifies the evidence 
supporting the propriety of expenditures for construction of retirement 
projects that supports the advance of funds. The information collected 
will ensure that loans funds are expended and advanced for RUS approved 
budget process and amounts. Failure to collect proper information could 
result in improper determinations of eligibility or improper use of 
funds.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 700.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 14,820.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-1034 Filed 1-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P