[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 18 (Monday, January 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4777-4778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1354]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCIES: Rural Housing Service and 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 intention of the above-named Agencies to request 
an extension for the currently approved information collection in 
support of the servicing of Community and Direct Business Programs 
Loans and Grants.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 28, 2008 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth Jones, Senior Loan Specialist, 
Community Programs Direct Loans and Grants Processing and Servicing, 
RHS, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 0787, Washington, DC 
20250-0787, Telephone (202) 720-1498, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR 1951-E, Servicing of Community and Direct Business 
Programs Loans and Grants.
    OMB Number: 0575-0066.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2008.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Community Facilities program is authorized to make 
loans and grants to public entities, nonprofit corporations, and Indian 
tribes for the development of essential community facilities primarily 
serving rural residents. The Direct Business and Industry program, 
under Rural Business-Cooperative Service, is authorized to make loans 
to improve, develop, or finance business, industry, and employment, and 
improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities.
    The purpose of this collection is to establish security servicing 
policies, assist recipients in meeting the objectives of the loans and 
grants, repay loans on schedule, comply with agreements, and protect 
the Government's financial interest. Routine servicing responsibilities 
include collection of payments, compliance reviews, security 
inspections, review of financial reports, determining applicant/
borrower eligibility and project feasibility for various servicing 
actions, monitoring delinquent accounts, and supervision activities.
    Supervision by the Agencies include, but is not limited to: review 
of budgets, management reports, audits and financial statements; 
performing security inspections; providing, arranging, or recommending 
technical assistance; evaluating environmental impacts of proposed 
actions by the borrower; performing civil rights compliance reviews; 
and assisting in the development of workout agreements.
    Information will be collected by the field offices from applicants, 
borrowers, consultants, lenders, and attorneys.
    Failure to collect information could result in improper servicing 
of these loans.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
    Respondents: State, local or tribal Governments, Not-for-profit 
institutions, businesses, and individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 587.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1,094.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,042.
    Copies of the information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-
0043.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agencies, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agencies' 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

[[Page 4778]]

technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Development, 7th Floor, Room 701, 300 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20024. 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: January 18, 2008.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
Ben Anderson,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. E8-1354 Filed 1-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P