[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 29911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7870]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 24, 2006 / 
Notices  

[[Page 29911]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 18, 2006.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) Whether the 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 burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-0012.
    Summary of Collection: Section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act 
of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940 (c) established a loan and grant program. The 
program provides zero interest loans and grants to electric and 
telecommunications utilities that have repaid or prepaid an insured, 
direct or guaranteed loan or any not-for-profit utility that is 
eligible to receive an insured or direct loan under the Rural 
Electrification Act (RUS Borrowers/Intermediary) for the purpose of 
promoting rural economic development and job creation projects. The 
loans and grants under this program may be provided to approximately 
1,700 electric and telecommunications utilities across the country that 
has borrowed funds from RUS. Under this program, the RUS borrowers/
Intermediary may receive the loan funds and pass them on to businesses 
or other organizations.
    Need and Use of the Information: Rural Business-Cooperative Service 
(RBS) will collect information to evaluate applications for funding 
consideration, conduct an environmental review, prepare legal 
documents, receive loan payments, oversee the operation of a revolving 
loan fund, monitor the use of RBS funds, enforce other government 
requirements such as compliance with civil rights regulations. If the 
information were not collected, RBS would be unable to select the 
projects that will receive loan or grant funds.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 120.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,376.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-7870 Filed 5-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XT-P