[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 148 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 42381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14974]


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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, an agency 
delivering the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural 
Development Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural 
Development and/or Agency, invites comments on this information 
collection for which the Agency intends to request approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 1, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele L. Brooks, Acting Director, 
Program Development & Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 5159 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-0736. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 7 CFR Part 1753, Telecommunications System Construction 
Policies and Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0059.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection 
package.
    Abstract: In order to facilitate the programmatic interest of the 
RE Act, and, in order to assure that loans made or guaranteed by the 
Agency are adequately secured, the Agency, as a secured lender, has 
established certain forms for materials, equipment and construction of 
electric and telecommunications systems. The use of standard forms, 
construction contracts, and procurement procedures helps assure the 
Agency that appropriate standards and specifications are maintained, 
the Agency's loan security is not adversely affected; and the loan and 
loan guarantee funds are used effectively and for the intended 
purposes.
    Over the past year and a half, the Agency has undertaken a 
comprehensive review of its Telecommunications Program contracts. The 
purpose of this undertaking is to improve customer service to the 
Agency's rural borrowers with a more efficient and effective means to 
complete a contract transaction as well as improve the internal 
efficiency of processing contracts.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit and non-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 513.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10,592 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat 
Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural 
Development at (202) 720-7853. Comments are invited on (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 assumption 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 on other forms of information 
technology.
    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.

James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-14974 Filed 8-1-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P