[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 56 (Friday, March 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17633-17634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06592]


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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 intention of USDA Rural Development to request an 
extension for a currently approved information collection in support of 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other 
applicable environmental requirements.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 21, 2013 to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Juliet Bochicchio, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Program Support Staff, Housing and Community 
Facilities Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 0761, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0761, Telephone (202) 205-

[[Page 17634]]

8242, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 7 CFR 1940 Subpart G, ``Environmental Program.''
    OMB Number: 0575-0094.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2013.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The information collection under OMB Number 0575-0094 
enables the Agencies to effectively administer the policies, methods, 
and responsibilities for compliance with the NEPA and other applicable 
environmental laws, executive orders, and regulations.
    The NEPA requires Federal agencies to consider the potential 
environmental impacts of proposed major Federal actions on the quality 
of the human environment during agency planning and decision-making 
processes. For Rural Development to comply, it is necessary that they 
have information on the types of environmental resources on site or in 
the vicinity of an Applicant's proposed project that could be impacted 
by Rural Development Federal action. The Applicant is the logical 
source for providing this information. In fact, the vast majority of 
Federal Agencies that assist non-Federal Applicants in sponsoring 
projects require their Applicants to submit such environmental data to 
allow the agency to make an informed decision.
    Both Rural Development provide forms and/or other guidance to 
assist in the collection and submission of necessary information. The 
information is usually submitted via email, U.S. Postal Service, or 
hand delivery to the appropriate Agency office.
    The information is used by the Agency official who is processing 
the application for financial assistance or request for approval. 
Having environmental information on the Applicant's proposed project 
and the construction and operation activities enables the Agency 
official to determine the magnitude of any potential environmental 
impacts and to take such impacts into consideration during planning and 
decision-making as required by NEPA. The analysis of potential 
environmental impacts of an Applicant's proposed project and Rural 
Development decision is a full disclosure process, and therefore, can 
involve public information meetings and public notification.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 3.7 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals, non-Federal agency governments, farmers, 
ranchers, business owners, for-profit or non-profit institutions, and 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,684.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 3,344.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 12,470 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jeanne 
Jacobs, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, at (202) 692-0035.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agencies, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of 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, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Development, STOP 0742, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
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: March 5, 2013.
Tammye Trevi[ntilde]o,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-06592 Filed 3-21-13; 8:45 am]
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