[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 7914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2107]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 17, 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: Telecommunications Field Trials.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0133.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: To protect the equity of loans it makes, RUS 
Telecommunications Program establishes the minimum acceptable 
performance criteria for materials and equipment to be employed on 
telecommunication systems financed by RUS. These specifications cover a 
variety of materials and equipment, ranging from multipair cables for 
direct burial in the earth, to highly sophisticated, computerized 
central office digital 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 specifications and that the products are otherwise acceptable 
for use on rural telecommunications systems. The review and 
determination of product acceptability is made to help assure that the 
products will perform properly and provide service lives that assure 
reliable revenue incomes and repayment of RUS loans funds in a manner 
consistent with the terms and conditions of the RUS loan. Unacceptable 
products may fail prematurely and interrupt service, require costly 
replacements, and reduce revenues. Without this collection, RUS has no 
means of determining the acceptability of advanced technology in a 
manner that is timely enough for RUS borrowers to take advantage of the 
improved benefits and promise that such products may provide for rural 
America.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 72 hours.

    Dated: February 6, 2006.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E6-2107 Filed 2-14-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P