[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 56 (Thursday, March 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14678-14679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4169]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

[[Page 14679]]


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: Richard C. Annan, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 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 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, USDA 
Rural Development, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, 
DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-8435.
    Title: 7 CFR 1744-C, Advance and Disbursement of Funds--
Telecommunications.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0023.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection package.
    Abstract: USDA Rural Development, through the Rural Utilities 
Service, manages the Telecommunications loan program in accordance with 
the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 
as amended, and as prescribed by OMB Circular A-129, Policies for 
Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables.
    In addition, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(Pub. L. 101-171) amended the RE Act to add Title VI, Rural Broadband 
Access, to provide loans and loan guarantees to fund the cost of 
construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment 
for the provision of broadband service in eligible rural communities. 
USDA Rural Development therefore requires Telecommunications and 
Broadband borrowers to submit Form 481, Financial Requirement 
Statement. This form implements certain provisions of the standard 
Rural Utilities Service loan documents by setting forth requirements 
and procedures to be followed by borrowers in obtaining advances and 
making disbursements of loan funds.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for profit, Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 177.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6.3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,223 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Joyce 
McNeil, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis at (202) 720-0812. 
FAX: (202) 720-8435. 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 15, 2006.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4169 Filed 3-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P