[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 199 (Monday, October 16, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 60672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17063]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 199 / Monday, October 16, 2006 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 60672]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1792

RIN 0572-AC01


Seismic Safety

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service, an agency which administers the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs 
(hereinafter ``USDA Rural Development'' or the ``Agency,'') is amending 
its regulations to update the seismic safety requirements of the 
Agency. These amendments will provide Agency borrowers (including Rural 
Telephone Bank borrowers), grant recipients, and the public with 
updated rules for compliance with seismic safety requirements for new 
building construction using loan, grant, or guaranteed funds of the 
Agency, or funds provided through lien accommodations or subordinations 
approved by the Agency.
    In the final rule section of this Federal Register, USDA Rural 
Development is publishing this action as a direct final rule without 
prior proposal because it views this as a non-controversial action and 
anticipates no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in 
response to the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on 
this proposed rule and the action will become effective at the time 
specified in the direct final rule. If USDA Rural Development receives 
adverse comments, a timely document will be published withdrawing the 
direct final rule and all public comments received will be addressed in 
a subsequent final rule based on this action.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received by the agency 
via facsimile transmission or carry a postmark or equivalent no later 
than November 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Submit adverse comments or notice of intent to submit 
adverse comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and Federal 
Actions'' box, select ``Rural Utilities Service'' from the agency drop-
down menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select 
RUS-06-Agency-0049 to submit or view public comments and to view 
supporting and related materials available electronically. Information 
on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing 
documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close 
of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' 
link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment 
addressed to Richard Annan, Director, Program Development and 
Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
STOP 1522, Room 5159, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Please state that your 
comment refers to Docket No. RUS-06-Agency-0049.
    Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development 
and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Donald Heald, Structural Engineer, 
Transmission Branch, Electric Staff Division, USDA Rural Development, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1569, Washington, DC 20250-1569. 
Telephone: (202) 720-9102. Fax: (202) 720-7491.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the Supplementary Information provided 
in the direct final rule located in the Rules and Regulations final 
rule section of this Federal Register for the applicable supplementary 
information on this action.

    Dated: September 27, 2006.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-17063 Filed 10-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P