[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50716-50717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20785]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Rural Housing 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 Rural Housing Service (RHS), the Rural Business-
Cooperative Service (RBS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intention 
to request an extension for a currently approved information collection 
in support of compliance with Civil Rights laws.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 17, 2011 to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Willie Williams, Equal Opportunity 
Specialist, Rural Development, Civil Rights Staff, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 0703, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20250-0703, Telephone (202) 692-0099 (voice) or 692-0107 (TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 7 CFR Part 1901-E, Civil Rights Compliance Requirements.
    OMB Number: 0575-0018.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2011.
    Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Information 
Collection.
    Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-0018 
enables the RHS, RBS, and RUS, to effectively monitor a recipient's 
compliance with the civil rights laws, and to determine whether or not 
service and benefits are being provided to beneficiaries on an equal 
opportunity basis.
    The RBS, RHS, and RUS are required to provide Federal financial 
assistance through its housing and community and business programs on 
an equal opportunity basis. The laws implemented in 7 CFR part 1901, 
subpart E, require the recipients of RBS, RHS, and RUS Federal 
financial assistance to collect various types of information, including 
information on participants in certain of these agencies' programs, by 
race, color, and national origin.
    The information collected and maintained by the recipients of 
certain programs from RBS, RHS, and RUS is used internally by these 
agencies for monitoring compliance with the civil rights laws and 
regulations. This information is made available to USDA officials, 
officials of other Federal agencies, and to Congress for reporting 
purposes. Without the required information, RBS, RHS, RUS and its 
recipients will lack the necessary documentation to demonstrate that 
their programs are being administered in a nondiscriminatory manner, 
and in full compliance with the civil rights laws. In addition, the 
RBS, RHS, RUS and their recipients would be vulnerable in lawsuits 
alleging discrimination in the

[[Page 50717]]

affected programs of these agencies, and would be without appropriate 
data and documentation to defend themselves by demonstrating that 
services and benefits are being provided to beneficiaries on an equal 
opportunity basis.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 7.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Recipients of RBS, RHS, and RUS Federal financial 
assistance, loan, and loan guarantee programs.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 27,000.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.72.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 73,559.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 550,276.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jeanne 
Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services 
Division, at (202) 692-0040.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Rural Development, 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 technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to Jeanne Jacobs, Regulations and 
Paperwork Management Branch, Support Services Division, Rural 
Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 0742, Washington, DC 
20250-0742. 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: July 22, 2011.
Tammye Trevino,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-20785 Filed 8-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P