[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 235 (Friday, December 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74137-74138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28790]


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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 or the Agency, invites comments on this information 
collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) will be requested.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by February 3, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Brooks, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1522, Room 5162 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-1078. Fax: (202) 720-
8435. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8{d{time} ). This notice identifies an information collection that 
will be submitted to OMB for approval.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 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: Michele 
Brooks, Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural 
Utilities Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., STOP 1522, Room 5162 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-
1522. Telephone: (202) 690-1078. Fax: (202) 720-8435. E-mail: 
[email protected].
    Title: Operating Reports for Telecommunications and Broadband 
Borrowers.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0031.
    Type of Request: Revision of an existing information collection 
package.
    Abstract: Rural Utilities Service, an agency delivering the U. S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities Programs 
is a credit agency. It makes mortgage loans and loan guarantees to 
finance electric, broadband, telecommunications, and water and waste 
facilities in rural areas. In addition to providing loans and loan 
guarantees, one of the Agency's main objectives is to safeguard loan 
security until the loan is repaid.
    This collection of information covers the Telecommunications 
operating Report, the Broadband Operating Report, and RUS Form 674, 
``Certificate of Authority to Submit or Grant Access to Data.'' The 
data collected via the Telecommunications Operating Report is collected 
through the USDA Data Collection System. The data collected via the 
Broadband Operating Report is collected through the USDA Broadband 
Collection and Analysis System.
    The data collected via the Telecommunications and Broadband 
Operating reports is required by the loan contract and provides Rural 
Development with vital financial information needed to ensure the 
maintenance of the security for the Government's loans; and statistical 
data which enables the Agency to ensure the provision of quality 
telecommunications and broadband service as mandated by the Rural 
Electrification act (RE Act) of 1936. The data collected via the 
operating reports provides financial information to ensure loan 
security consistent with due diligence. These functions are essential 
to protect loan security and to achieve objectives of the RE Act.
    The data collected via RUS Form 674 provides information to the 
Agency which allows Rural Development Electric, Telecommunications, and 
Broadband program borrowers to file their electronic Operating Reports 
with the agency using the USDA Data Collection System. RUS Form 674, 
accompanies by a Board Resolution, will identify the name and USDA 
eAuthentication ID for a certifier and security administrator that will 
have access to the USDA Data Collection System for purposes of filing 
electronic Operating Reports.
    Estimate of Burden: This collection of information is estimated to 
average 3.45 hours per response.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for-profit and not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 600.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.36.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,806.

[[Page 74138]]

    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Gale 
Richardson, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-
0992. FAX: (202) 720-8435. E-mail: [email protected].
    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: December 1, 2008.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E8-28790 Filed 12-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P