[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 18, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 68364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26770]


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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. 73, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 18, 2008 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 68364]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1776

RIN 0572-AC12


Amending the Household Water Well System Grant Program 
Regulations

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the 
United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development 
Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development or the 
Agency, is amending its regulations to administer the Household Water 
Well System Grant Program. This action implements provisions of the 
2008 Farm Bill for limits on loans that nonprofit organizations may 
make to homeowners for private well systems. The 2008 Farm Bill raises 
the loan limit to $11,000 from $8,000. The intended effect is to make 
part 1776 current with statutory authority. The Agency will also amend 
the regulation to enable existing grant recipients to amend their grant 
agreements for the new $11,000 loan limit.
    In the final rule section of the Federal Register, the Agency is 
publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal 
because Rural Development views this as a non-controversial action and 
expects 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 the Agency 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 Rural 
Development or carry a postmark or equivalent no later than December 
18, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to this rule by any of the following 
methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the ``Search Documents'' box, enter RUS-08-
WATER-03, check the box under the Search box labeled ``Select to find 
documents accepting comments or submissions,'' and click on the GO>> 
key. To submit a comment, choose ``Send a comment or submission,'' 
under the Docket Title. In order to submit your comment, the 
information requested on the ``Public Comment and Submission Form,'' 
must be completed. (If you click on the hyperlink of the docket when 
the search returns it, you will see the docket details. Click on the 
yellow balloon to receive the ``Public Comment and Submission Form.'') 
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 ``How 
to Use this Site'' link.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comment 
addressed to Michele Brooks, Director, Program Development and 
Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
STOP 1522, Room 5159, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
    Other Information: Additional information about Rural Development 
and its programs is available at http://www/rurdev.usda.gov/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Francis, Loan Specialist, Water 
and Environmental Programs, USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, STOP 1570, Room 2229 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1570. 
Telephone: (202) 720-9589; FAX: (202) 690-0649; e-mail: 
[email protected].

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

    Dated: October 20, 2008.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E8-26770 Filed 11-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P