[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 51977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21007]


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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, 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 25, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele L. Brooks, 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: Extension 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 three years, 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. The anticipated outcome when the 
contract revision process is completed is that the paperwork burden 
will not increase and may be reduced. A total of 25 forms are under 
review and the new contracts will be released as they are completed.
    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, Rural Utilities 
Service (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.

Jonathan Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-21007 Filed 8-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P