[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 14169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4016]


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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, an agency 
delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development 
Utilities Programs, invites comments on this information collection for 
which approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be 
requested.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 22, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Brooks, Deputy Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5159 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-1078. 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 will 
be submitted to OMB for approval.
    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: Michele 
Brooks, Deputy Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, 
USDA Rural Development, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-4120.
    Title: Water and Waste Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0121.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: USDA Rural Development, through the Rural Utilities 
Service, is authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) to make loans to public agencies, 
nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes to fund water and waste 
disposal projects serving the most financially needy rural communities 
through the Water and Waste Disposal loan and grant program. Financial 
assistance should result in reasonable user costs for rural residents, 
rural businesses, and other rural users. The program is limited to 
rural areas and small towns with a population of 10,000 or less. The 
Water and Waste loan and grant program is administered through 7 CFR 
part 1780. The items covered by this collection include forms and 
related documentation to support a loan application.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 8.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 132, 069 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Michele 
Brooks, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 690-1078. 
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: March 8, 2006.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4016 Filed 3-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P