[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 159 (Thursday, August 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 47482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13547]


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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: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), 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 October 16, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Brooks, Deputy Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5159 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-1078. FAX: (202) 720-
8435.

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 RUS 
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: Joyce 
McNeil, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-8435.
    Title: Seismic Safety of New Building Construction.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0099.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
7701 et seq.) was enacted to reduce risks to life and property through 
the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). The Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is designated as the agency with the 
primary responsibility to plan and coordinate the NEHRP. This program 
includes the development and implementation of feasible design and 
construction methods to make structures earthquake resistant. Executive 
Order 12699 of January 5, 1990, Seismic Safety of Federal and Federally 
Assisted or Regulated New Building Construction, requires that measures 
to assure seismic safety be imposed on Federally assisted new building 
construction.
    7 CFR Part 1792, Subpart C, Seismic Safety of Federally Assisted 
New Building Construction, identifies acceptable seismic standards 
which must be employed in new building construction funded by loans, 
grants, or guarantees made by the Rural Utilities Service, hereinafter 
referred to as agency, through lien accommodations or subordinations 
approved by the agency.
    This subpart implements and explains the provisions of the loan 
contract utilized by the agency for both electric and 
telecommunications borrowers.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: Small business or organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 750.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Joyce 
McNeil, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-0812. 
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 11, 2006.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-13547 Filed 8-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P