[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70738-70739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20584]


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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, USDA.

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 for a currently approved information 
collection in support of the Rural Cooperative Development Grants 
program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 5, 2007 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Cavanaugh, Loan Specialist, 
Cooperative Services, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Stop 3250, Room 4016, South Agriculture 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3250. 
Telephone (202) 260-1506.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Rural Cooperative Development Grants.
    OMB Number: 0570-0006.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2007.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend the clearance for collection of 
information under RD Instruction 4284-F, Rural Cooperative Development 
Grants.
    Abstract: The primary purpose of the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (RBS) is to promote understanding, use, and development of the 
cooperative form of business as a viable option for enhancing the 
income of agricultural producers and other rural residents. The primary 
objective of the Rural Cooperative Development Grants program is to 
improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative 
development. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to nonprofit 
corporations and institutions of higher education based on specific 
selection criteria.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information

[[Page 70739]]

is estimated to average 48 hours per grant application.
    Respondents: Nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher 
education.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 60.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 60.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,200 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jeanne 
Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0042.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of RBS's functions, 
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 Brigitte Sumter, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, 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: November 28, 2006.
Leann M. Oliver,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-20584 Filed 12-5-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P