[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56856-56857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22451]


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 Notices
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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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 179 / Monday, September 16, 2013 / 
Notices  

[[Page 56856]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 11, 2013.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to Office of Management and 
Budget (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, New Executive 
Office Building, 725--17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20502. Commenters 
are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [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: Technical Assistance Program, 7 CFR part 1775.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0112.
    Summary of Collection: Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (CONACT), 7 U.S.C. 1926, authorizes Rural 
Utilities Service (RUS) to make loans and grants to public agencies, 
American Indian tribes, and nonprofit corporations. The loans and 
grants fund the development of drinking water, wastewater, and solid 
waste disposal facilities in rural areas with populations of up to 
10,000 residents. Nonprofit organizations receive Technical Assistance 
and Training (TAT) and Solid Waste Management (SWM) grants to help 
small rural communities or areas identify and solve problems relating 
to community drinking water, wastewater, or solid waste disposal 
systems. The technical assistance is intended to improve the management 
and operation of the systems and reduce or eliminate pollution of water 
resources. TAT and SWM are competitive grant programs administered by 
RUS.
    Need and Use of the Information: Nonprofit organizations applying 
for TAT and SWM grants must submit a pre-application, which includes an 
application form, narrative proposal, various other forms, 
certifications and supplemental information. RUS will collect 
information to determine applicant's eligibility, project feasibility, 
and the applicant's ability to meet the grant and regulatory 
requirements. RUS will review the information, evaluate it, and, if the 
applicant and project are eligible for further competition, invite the 
applicant to submit a formal application. Failure to collect proper 
information could result in improper determinations of eligibility, 
improper use of funds, or hindrances in making grants authorized by the 
TAT and SWM program.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; State, 
Local or Tribal Governments.
    Number of Respondents: 142.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion; Quarterly.
    Total Burden Hours: 6,250.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and 
Households Program
    (SEARCH).
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0146.
    Summary of Collection: The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 
2008, Public Law 110-234 (Farm Bill) amended Section 306(a)(2) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 
1926(a)(2)). The amendment created a grant program to make Special 
Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) 
Program grants.
    Under the SEARCH program, the Secretary may make predevelopment and 
planning grants to public or quasi-public agencies, organizations 
operated on a not-for-profit basis or Indian tribes on Federal and 
State reservations and other federally recognized Indian tribes. The 
grant recipients use the grant funds for feasibility studies, design 
assistance, and technical assistance for direct loans, grants and 
guaranteed loans, to financially distress communities in rural areas 
with populations of 2,500 or fewer inhabitants for water and waste 
disposal projects as authorized in Sections 306(a)(1), 306(a)(2) and 
306(a)(24) of the CONACT.
    Need and Use of the Information: Applicants applying for SEARCH 
grants must submit an application which includes an application form, 
various other forms, certifications, and supplemental information. 
Rural Utility Service will use the information collected from 
applicants, borrowers, and consultants to determine applicant 
eligibility, project feasibility, and the applicant's ability to meet 
the grant and regulatory requirements.
    Failure to collect proper information could result in improper 
determinations of eligibility, improper use of funds, or hindrances in 
making grants authorized by the SEARCH program.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit Institutions and State, 
Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 16.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

[[Page 56857]]

    Total Burden Hours: 516.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-22451 Filed 9-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P