[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 61 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15095-15096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5923]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 27, 2007.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) Whether the 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 burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utility Service

    Title: Seismic Safety of New Building Construction, 7 CFR Part 
1792, Subpart C.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0099.
    Summary of Collection: Seismic hazards present a serious threat to 
people and their surroundings. These hazards exist in most of the 
United States, not just on the West Coast. Unlike hurricanes, times and 
location of earthquakes cannot be predicted; most earthquakes strike 
without warning and, if of substantial strength, strike with great 
destructive forces. To reduce risks to life and property from 
earthquakes, Congress enacted the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 
1977 (Pub. L. 95-124, 42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.,) and directed the 
establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake reduction 
program. As a result, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program 
(NEHRP) was established. The objectives of the NEHRP include the 
development of technologically and economically feasible design and 
construction methods to make both new and existing structures 
earthquake resistant, and the development and promotion of model 
building codes. 7 CFR part 1792, subpart C, identifies acceptable 
seismic standards which must be employed in new building construction 
funded by loans, grants, or guarantees made by the Rural Utility 
Service (RUS) or the Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) or through lien 
accommodations or subordinations approved by RUS or RTB.
    Need and Use of the Information: Borrowers and grant recipients 
must provide to RUS a written acknowledgment from a registered 
architect or engineer responsible for the design of each applicable 
building stating that the seismic provisions to 7 CFR part 1792, 
Subpart C will be used in the design of the building. RUS will use this 
information to: (1) Clarify and inform the applicable borrowers and 
grant recipients about seismic safety requirements; (2) improve the 
effectiveness of all RUS programs; and (3) reduce the risk to life and 
property through the use of approved building codes aimed at providing 
seismic safety.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; business 
or other for-profit.

[[Page 15096]]

    Number of Respondents: 1,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 750.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Broadband Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0127.
    Summary of Collection: Congress has recognized the need to 
facilitate the deployment of broadband service to un-served rural 
areas. The provision to broadband transmission service is vital to the 
economic development, education, health, and safety of rural Americans. 
Grant authority is utilized to deploy broadband infrastructure to 
extremely rural, lower income communities on a ``community-oriented 
connectivity'' basis.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Rural Development Utilities 
Programs (RUS) gives priority to rural areas that it believes have the 
greatest need for broadband transmission services. This broadband 
access is intended to promote economic development and provide enhanced 
educational and health care opportunities. RUS will provide 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.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; not-for-
profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 90.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; on occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 14,442.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-5923 Filed 3-29-07; 8:45 am]
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