[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5807-5808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1455]


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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 the following information collections for which RUS 
intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 4, 2006.

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-
8435.

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 information collections that RUS is 
submitting to OMB for extension.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether this 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 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 respondents, 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) 720-0784.
    Title: Review Rating Summary, RUS Form 300.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0025.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The RUS manages loan programs in accordance with the RE 
Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.). An important part of 
safeguarding loan security is to see that RUS financed facilities are 
being responsibly used, adequately operated, and adequately maintained. 
Future needs have to be anticipated to ensure that facilities will 
continue to produce revenue and that loans will be repaid as required 
by the RUS mortgage. A periodic operations and maintenance (O&M) 
review, using the RUS Form 300, in accordance with 7 CFR part 1730, is 
an effective means for RUS to determine whether the borrowers systems 
are being properly operated and maintained, thereby protecting the loan 
collateral. An O&M review is also used to rate facilities and

[[Page 5808]]

can be used for appraisals of collateral as prescribed by OMB Circular 
A-129, Policies for Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 4 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 229.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 916 hours.
    Title: Telecommunications Standards and Specifications, 7 CFR part 
1755.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0132.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: To protect the security of loans it makes and to ensure 
that the telecommunications services provided to rural Americans are 
comparable to those offered in urban and suburban areas, RUS 
establishes the minimum acceptable performance criteria for materials 
and equipment to be employed on telecommunications systems financed by 
RUS. These specifications cover a variety of materials and equipment, 
ranging from multipair cables for direct burial to highly sophisticated 
computerized central office switches. Manufacturers, wishing to sell 
their products to RUS borrowers, request RUS consideration for 
acceptance of their products and submit data demonstrating their 
products' compliance with RUS specification.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 20 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 60.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.68.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2020 hours.
    Title: Borrower Investments--Telecommunications Loan Program, 7 CFR 
Part 1744, subpart E.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0098.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The Rural Economic Development Act of 1990, Title XXIII 
of the Farm Bill, Public Law 101-624, authorized qualified RUS 
borrowers to make investments in rural development projects without the 
prior approval of the RUS Administrator provided, however, that such 
investments do not cause the borrower to exceed its allowable qualified 
investment level as determined in accordance with the procedures set 
forth in 7 CFR part 1744, subpart E. When a borrower exceeds these 
limits, the security for the Government's loans could be in jeopardy. 
However, in the interest of encouraging rural development, RUS will 
consider approving such investments that exceed a borrower's qualified 
investment level. This information collection covers those items that a 
borrower would need to submit to RUS for consideration of the 
borrower's request to make such an investment.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 9.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not for profit institutions; business or other for-
profit entities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 238 hours.
    Title: Use of Consultants Funded by Borrowers, 7 CFR part 1789.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0115.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Section 18(c) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(RE Act), as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) authorizes RUS to use 
consultants voluntarily funded by borrowers for financial, legal, 
engineering and other technical services. Consultants may be used to 
facilitate timely action on loan applications by borrowers for 
financial assistance and for approvals required by RUS, pursuant to the 
terms of outstanding loans, or other wise. RUS may not require 
borrowers to fund consultants. The provision of section 18(c) may be 
utilized only at the borrower's request. This collection of information 
implements RUS policies and procedures for use of consultants funded by 
RUS Borrowers to facilitate timely action on a borrower's loan 
application for financial assistance and for RUS approvals.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not for profit institutions; business or other for-
profit entities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12 hours.

    Dated: January 27, 2006.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-1455 Filed 2-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P