[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46891-46892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13362]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: USDA Rural Development administers rural utilities programs 
through the Rural Utilities Service (Agency). In accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the 
Agency invites comments on this information collection for which the 
Agency intends to request approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 16, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard C. Annan, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development Utilities 
Programs, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5170 South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-8818. FAX: 
(202) 720-8435.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 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 the 
Agency is submitting to OMB for extension.
    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: Richard 
C. Annan, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA 
Rural Development Utilities

[[Page 46892]]

Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1522, Room 5170 South 
Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: 
(202) 720-8435.
    Title: Broadband Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0127.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The provision of broadband transmission service is vital 
to the economic development, education, health, and safety of rural 
Americans. To further this objective, RUS provides financial assistance 
in the form of grant to eligible entities that propose, on a 
''community-oriented connectivity'' basis, to provide broadband 
transmission service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced 
educational, health care, and public safety services to extremely 
rural, lower income communities. The Agency gives priority to rural 
areas that it believes have the greatest need for broadband 
transmission services. Grant authority is utilized to deploy broadband 
infrastructure to extremely rural, lower income communities on a 
''community-oriented connectivity'' basis. The ''community-oriented 
connectivity'' concept integrates the deployment of broadband 
infrastructure with the practical, everyday uses and applications of 
the facilities. This broadband access is intended to promote economic 
development and provide enhanced educational and health care 
opportunities. The Agency provides financial assistance to eligible 
entities that are proposing to deploy broadband transmission service in 
rural communities where such service does not currently exist and who 
will connect the critical community facilities including the local 
schools, libraries, hospitals, police, fire and rescue services and who 
will operate a community center that provides free and open access to 
residents.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 154.87 hours per response.
    Respondents: Public bodies, commercial companies, cooperatives, 
nonprofits, Indian tribes, and limited dividend or mutual associations 
and must be incorporated or a limited liability company.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 300.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 48,010.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat 
Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural 
Development Utilities Programs at (202) 720-7853, FAX: (202) 720-8435.
    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: August 9, 2006.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Deputy Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-13362 Filed 8-14-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P