[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 159 (Thursday, August 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47482-47483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13548]


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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

[[Page 47483]]

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 October 16, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard C. Annan, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5818 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0784. 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: Richard 
C. Annan, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA 
Rural Development, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, 
DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-8435.
    Title: Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grants.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0110.
    Abstract: This action amends the existing regulation for the 
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant (ECWAG) Program to allow 
grants to be made before an emergency has actually occurred. The ECWAG 
program was authorized by the Rural Development Act of 1972. The grants 
are made to public bodies, nonprofit corporations, and Indian tribes 
for the purpose of improving rural living standards and for other 
purposes that create safe and affordable drinking water in rural areas 
or towns with a population not exceeding 10,000 inhabitants.
    These grants can be made to construct or improve drinking water 
facilities serving the most financially needy communities. This 
revision is undertaken specifically to respond to requirements of 
Section 6009 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(Pub. L. 107-171). (2002 Farm Bill)
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.6 hours per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal 
Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 400 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Michele 
Brooks, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 690-1078.
    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. E6-13548 Filed 8-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P