[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 198 (Friday, October 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62211-62212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25164]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


 Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 9, 2012.
    The Department of Agriculture will submit 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 1703, Subparts D, E, F, and G, Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0096.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the Department of Agriculture and is

[[Page 62212]]

authorized by Chapter 1 of subtitle D of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation and Trade Act of 1990. The purpose of the Distance 
Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program is to improve 
telemedicine services and distance learning services in rural areas 
through the use of telecommunications, computer networks, and related 
advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals and 
rural residents.
    Need and Use of the Information: The various forms and narrative 
statements required are collected from eligible applicants that are 
public and private, for-profit and not-for-profit rural community 
facilities, schools, libraries, hospitals, and medical facilities. The 
purpose of this 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 the 
applicable laws and regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 210.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 12,788.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1703-H, Deferments of RUS Loan Payments for Rural 
Development Projects.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0097.
    Summary of Collection: Subsection (b) of section 12 of the Rural 
Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 912), a 
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric or telephone borrower may defer 
the payment of principal and interest on any insured or direct loan 
made under the RE Act and invest under certain conditions the deferred 
amounts in rural development projects. The Deferment program is used to 
encourage borrowers to invest in and promote rural development and 
rural job creation projects that are based on sound economic and 
financial analyses.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
determine eligibility; specific purposes for which the deferment amount 
will be utilized; the term of the deferment the borrower will receive; 
the cost of the total project and degree of participation in the 
financing from other sources; verification that the purposes will not 
violate limitations established in 7 CFR 1703-H. If the information 
were not collected, RUS would be unable to determine eligibility for a 
project.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit; Business or other for-
profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 11.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1721, Extensions of Payments of Principal and 
Interest.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0123.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric 
program provides loans and loan guarantees to borrowers at interest 
rates and on terms that are more favorable than those generally 
available from the private sector. Procedures and conditions which 
borrowers may request extensions of the payment of principal and 
interest are authorized, as amended, in Section 12 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, and Section 236 of the ``Disaster Relief 
Act of 1970''. As a result of obtaining federal financing, RUS 
borrowers receive economic benefits that exceed any direct economic 
costs associated with complying with (RUS) regulations and 
requirements.
    Need and Use of the Information: The collection of information 
occurs only when the borrower requests an extension of principal and 
interest. Eligible purposes include financial hardship, energy resource 
conservation loans, renewable energy project, and contributions-in-aid 
of construction. The collections are made to provide needed benefits to 
borrowers while also maintaining the integrity of RUS loans and their 
repayment of taxpayer's monies.
    Description of Respondents: Not for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 45.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 424.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-25164 Filed 10-11-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P