[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30858-30859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8372]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 25, 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 Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1744-E, Borrower Investments--Telecommunications Loan 
Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0098.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Economic Development Act of 1990, 
Title XXIII of the Farm Bill, Public Law 101-624, authorized qualified 
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers to make investments in rural 
development projects without the prior approval of the RUS 
Administrator, provided, however that such investments do not

[[Page 30859]]

cause the borrower to exceed its allowable qualified investment level 
as determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in 7 CFR part 
1744, subpart E. RUS requests that the borrower submit (1) a 
description of the rural development project and type of investment; 
(2) a reasonable estimate of the amount the borrower is committed to 
provide to the project including future expenditures; and (3) a pro 
forma balance sheet and cash flow statement for the period covering the 
borrower's future commitments to determine that the ``excess'' or 
proposed ``excess'' investments will not impair the borrower's ability 
to repay the loan or cause financial hardship.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
consider whether or not to approve a borrower's request to make an 
investment in a rural development project when such an investment would 
cause the borrower to exceed its allowable investment level. If this 
information was not collected, RUS could not thoroughly assess the 
economic impact of such an investment.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 25.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 238.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1730, Review Rating Summary.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0025.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) manages 
loan programs in accordance with the Rural Electrification Act (RE Act) 
of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended. An important part of 
safeguarding loan security is to see that RUS financed facilities are 
being responsibly used, adequately operated, and adequately maintained. 
Future needs have to be anticipated to ensure that facilities will 
continue to produce revenue and that loans will be repaid as required 
by the RUS mortgage. Regular periodic operations and maintenance (O&M) 
review can identify and correct inadequate O&M practices before they 
cause extensive harm to the system. Inadequate O&M practices can result 
in public safety hazards, increased power outages for consumers, added 
expense for emergency maintenance, and premature aging of the 
borrower's systems, which could increase the loan security risk to RUS.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information using 
form 300 Review Rate Summary to identify items that may be in need of 
additional attention; to plan corrective actions when needed; to budget 
funds and manpower for needed work; and to initiate ongoing programs as 
necessary to avoid or minimize the need for ``catch-up'' programs.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 229.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 916.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-8372 Filed 5-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P