[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35410-35411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9613]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 August 21, 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 part 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.,

[[Page 35411]]

SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-4120.
    Title: 7 CFR Part 1738, Rural Broadband Loans and Loan Guarantee 
Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0130.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: USDA Rural Development, through the Rural Utilities 
Service, is authorized by Title VI, Rural Broadband Access, of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act), 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 in States 
and Territories of the United States. The term of the loans is based on 
the expected composite economic life based on the depreciation of the 
facilities financed. The term of the loan can be as high as 25 years or 
even longer. In the interest of protecting loan security and 
accomplishing the statutory objective of a sound program of rural 
broadband service access, Title VI of the RE Act requires that Rural 
Development make or guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable 
assurance that the loan, together with all outstanding loans and 
obligations of the borrower will be repaid in full within the time 
agreed. The items covered by this collection include forms and related 
documentation to support a loan application, including Form 532 and 
supporting documentation.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 225 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses and Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 40.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 13,480 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: June 13, 2006.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-9613 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P