[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 35410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9673]



[[Page 35410]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Department of 
Agriculture.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Rural Business-Cooperative Service's (RBS) 
intention to request an extension of a currently approved information 
collection in support of the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 21, 2006 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lori Washington, Specialty Lenders 
Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 3225, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-3225, Telephone (202) 720-9815, E-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Intermediary Relending Program.
    OMB Number: 0570-0021.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection 
information.
    Abstract: The objective of the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) 
is to improve community facilities and employment opportunities and 
increase economic activity in rural areas by financing business 
facilities and community development. This purpose is achieved through 
loans made by the RBS to intermediaries that establish programs for the 
purpose of providing loans to ultimate recipients for business 
facilities and community development. The regulations contain various 
requirements for information from the intermediaries, and some 
requirements may cause the intermediary to seek information from 
ultimate recipients. The information requested is necessary for RBS to 
be able to process applications in a responsible manner, make prudent 
credit and program decisions, and effectively monitor the 
intermediaries' activities to protect the Government's financial 
interest and ensure that funds obtained from the Government are used 
appropriately. It includes information to identify the intermediary; 
describe the intermediary's experience and expertise; describe how the 
intermediary will operate its revolving loan fund; provide for debt 
instruments, loan agreements, and security; and other material 
necessary for prudent credit decisions and reasonable program 
monitoring.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 7.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Non-profit corporations, public agencies, and 
cooperatives.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 202.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 11.9.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 2,403.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 17,989 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division at (202) 692-0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RBS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of RBS'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 Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 
0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250. 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 5, 2006.
Jackie J. Gleason,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-9673 Filed 6-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P