[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29608-29609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4744]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Farm Service Agency


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, 
Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and 
Rural Development, henceforth collectively known as Rural Development, 
or individually as Housing and Community Programs, Business and 
Cooperative Programs, Utility Programs, to request an extension for a 
currently approved information collection in support of compliance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable 
environmental requirements.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 24, 2006 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Meyer, Senior Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Program Support Staff, Housing and Community 
Facilities Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 0761, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0761, Telephone (202) 720-
9619, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR 1940 Subpart G, ``Environmental Program.''
    OMB Number: 0575-0094.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-0094 
enables the Agencies to effectively administer the policies, methods, 
and responsibilities for compliance with the NEPA and other applicable 
environmental laws, executive orders, and regulations.
    The NEPA requires Federal agencies to consider the potential 
environmental impacts of proposed major Federal actions on the quality 
of the human environment during agency planning and decision-making 
processes. For Rural Development and FSA to comply, it is necessary 
that they have information on the types of environmental resources on 
site or in the vicinity of an Applicant's proposed project that could 
be impacted by Rural Development or FSA's Federal action. The Applicant 
is the logical source for providing this information. In fact, the vast 
majority of Federal Agencies that assist non-Federal Applicants in 
sponsoring projects require their Applicants to submit such

[[Page 29609]]

environmental data to allow the agency to make an informed decision.
    Both Rural Development and FSA provide forms and/or other guidance 
to assist in the collection and submission of necessary information. 
The information is usually submitted via U.S. Postal Service or hand 
delivery to the appropriate Agency office.
    The information is used by the Agency official who is processing 
the application for financial assistance or request for approval. 
Having environmental information on the Applicant's proposed project 
and the construction and operation activities enables the Agency 
official to determine the magnitude of any potential environmental 
impacts and to take such impacts into consideration during planning and 
decision-making as required by NEPA. The analysis of potential 
environmental impacts of an Applicant's proposed project and Rural 
Development or FSA's decision is a full disclosure process, and 
therefore, can involve public information meetings and public 
notification.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 4.3 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals, non-Federal agency governments, farmers, 
ranchers, business owners, for-profit or non-profit institutions, and 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,308.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 6,328.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 27,399 hours.*
    (* Note: This estimate is not exact due to rounding).
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Renita 
Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0035.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agencies, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of Agencies' 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 Renita Bolden, Regulations and Paperwork 
Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0742. 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: May 9, 2006.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
    Dated: May 5, 2006.
Jackie J. Gleason,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Dated: May 12, 2006.
Teresa C. Lasseter,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 06-4744 Filed 5-22-06; 8:45 am]
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