[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 88 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26735-26736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10872]


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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 United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development administers rural utilities 
programs through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). The USDA Rural 
Development invites comments on the following information collections 
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 July 6, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Brooks, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, USDA Rural Development, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5162, South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-1078. FAX: (202) 720-
8435.

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)]. This notice identifies information collections that RUS is 
submitting to OMB for extension.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether this 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 respondents, 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, USDA Rural Development, Stop 1522, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: (202) 720-
8435.
    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 (RUS), an agency delivering the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities 
Programs, is a credit agency. RUS 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 
Telecommunication and Broadband Operating reports is required by the 
loan contract and provides Rural Development with vital financial 
information necessary to ensure the maintenance of the security for the 
Government's loans, and statistical data to enable the Agency to ensure 
the provision of quality telecommunications and broadband services 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

[[Page 26736]]

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 to allow Rural Development Electric, Telecommunications, and 
Broadband program Borrowers to file electronic Operating Reports with 
the Agency using the USDA Data Collection System. RUS Form 674, 
accompanied by a Board Resolution, identifies the name and USDA 
eAuthentication ID for a certifier and security administrator who will 
have access to the USDA Data Collection System for purposes of filing 
electronic Operating Reports. The information collected on the RUS Form 
674 is submitted in hard copy by Borrowers only when revisions are 
required or, in the case of a first time Borrower, when initially 
submitting the data.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting for 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: 676.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.36.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,806.
    Title: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0096.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection package.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine (DLT) Loan and Grant program provides loans and grants for 
advanced telecommunications services to improve rural areas' access to 
educational and medical services. The various forms and narrative 
statements required are collected from the applicants (rural community 
facilities, such as schools, libraries, hospitals, and medical 
facilities, for example). The purpose of collecting the information is 
to determine such factors as eligibility of the applicant; the specific 
nature of the proposed project; the purposes for which loan and grant 
funds will be used; project financial and technical feasibility; and, 
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, for 
grants funded pursuant to the competitive evaluation process, 
information collected facilitates RUS' selection of those applications 
most consistent with DLT goals and objectives in accordance with the 
authorizing legislation and implementing regulation.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2.45 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other forprofit; not-for-profit 
institutions; and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 210.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 23.33.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,788 hours.

    Dated: April 26, 2012.
Jonathan Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-10872 Filed 5-4-12; 8:45 am]
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