[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 59 (Monday, March 28, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17103-17104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7160]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 59 / Monday, March 28, 2011 / 
Notices  

[[Page 17103]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


 Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 22, 2011.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (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 assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these 
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if 
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the 
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1744, Subpart B, Lien Accommodations and 
Subordination Policy.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0126.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It makes 
mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance electric, 
telecommunications, and water and waste facilities in rural areas. The 
Telecommunications Act of 1996 mandates that universally available and 
affordable telecommunications services, including advanced services, be 
made available to all U.S. citizens--whether in rural areas or city 
centers, affluent, or poor communities. In support of this mandate, RUS 
is amending its regulation to ensure that, with the assistance of 
advanced telecommunications technology, rural citizens be provided the 
same economic, educational, and health care benefits available in the 
large metropolitan areas.
    Need and Use of The Information: This regulation will help RUS 
facilitate funding from non-RUS sources in order to meet the growing 
capital needs of rural Local Exchange Carriers and enable the providers 
to compete in an expanding number of telecommunications services. RUS 
will use the information to provide ``automatic'' approval for 
borrowers requesting lien accommodations that meet the required 
financial tests. These tests are designed to ensure that the financial 
strength of the borrower is more than sufficient to protect the 
government's loan security interests; hence, the lien accommodations 
will not adversely affect the government's financial interests.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 30.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion
    Total Burden Hours: 23.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1783, Revolving Fund Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0138.
    Summary of Collection: Section 6002 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 amended the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act by adding a grant program that established the 
Revolving Fund Program (RFP) to assist communities with water or 
wastewater systems. Qualified private non-profit organizations will 
receive RFP grant funds to establish a lending program for eligible 
entities.
    Need and Use of The Information: Non-profit organizations applying 
for the RFP grant(s) must submit an application package that includes 
an application form, narrative proposal (work plan), various other 
forms, certifications, and supplemental information. The Rural 
Development State Offices and the Rural Utilities Service National 
Office staff will use the information collected to determine applicant 
eligibility, project feasibility, and the applicant's ability to meet 
the grant and regulatory requirements. Grant recipients will set up a 
revolving loan fund to provide loans to finance predevelopment costs of 
water or wastewater projects, or short-term small capital projects not 
part of the regular operation and maintenance of current water and 
wastewater systems.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 5.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 313.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1776, Household Water Well System Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0139.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is 
authorized by Section 306E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926e) to administer and make grants to 
qualified private non-profit organizations which will use the funds to 
establish lending programs for household water wells from which 
individuals may borrow money systems under the Household Water Well 
System program.
    Need and Use of The Information: The grant applicants will provide 
information to be collected as part of the application and grant 
process through certain documentation, certifications, and completed 
forms. Grant applicants must show that the project will provide 
technical and financial assistance to eligible individuals to remedy

[[Page 17104]]

household well problems. The grant recipients will establish a 
revolving loan fund lending program to provide water well loans to 
individuals who own or will own private wells in rural areas. The 
individual loan recipients may use the funds to construct, refurbish, 
and service their household well systems for an existing home.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 10.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,033.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Electric System Emergency Restoration Plan.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0140.
    Summary of Collection: Electric power systems have been identified 
in Presidential Decision Directive 63, May 1998, as one of the critical 
infrastructures of the United States. The term ``critical 
infrastructure'' is defined in section 1016(e) of the USA Patriot Act 
of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)). To ensure that the electric 
infrastructure in rural America is adequately protected, Rural 
Utilities Service requires that all current electric borrowers enhance 
an existing Emergency Restoration Plan (ERP) or, if none exists, 
develop and maintain an ERP.
    Need and Use of The Information: Rural Development Utilities 
Programs (RDUP) requires that all current electric borrowers conduct a 
Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) of its respective systems and 
utilize the results of this assessment to enhance an existing ERP or 
create an ERP if none exists. The ERP provides written procedures 
detailing response and restoration efforts in the event of a major 
system outage resulting from a natural or man made disaster. RDUP 
requires each electric borrower to provide annually a self-
certification, in writing, that an ERP exists and that an initial VRA 
has been performed. If this information were not collected, 
vulnerabilities may exist in the electric system infrastructure. The 
result would be increased risk to public safety and may affect the 
Government loan security.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 676.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 338.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-7160 Filed 3-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P