[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 98 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29157-29158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11708]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 15, 2014.
    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: Telecommunications System Construction Policies and 
Procedures.

[[Page 29158]]

    OMB Control Number: 0572-0059.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (RE 
Act), 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., was amended in 2002 by Title IV, Rural 
Broadband Access, by Farm Security and rural Investment Act, which 
authorizes Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to provide loans and loan 
guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or 
acquisition for facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband 
service in eligible rural communities in the States and territories of 
the United States. Title VI of the RE Act requires that loans are 
granted only to borrowers who demonstrated that they will be able to 
repay in full within the time agreed. RUS has established certain 
standards and specification for materials, equipment and construction 
to assure that standards are maintained; loans are not adversely 
affected, and loans are used for intended purposes.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS has developed specific forms 
for borrowers to use when entering into contracts for goods or 
services. The information collected is used to implement certain 
provisions of loan documents about the borrower's purchase of materials 
and equipment and the construction of its broadband system and is 
provided on and as needed basis or when the individual borrower 
undertakes certain projects. The standardization of the forms has 
resulted in substantial savings to borrowers by reducing preparation of 
the documentation and the costly review by the government.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 513.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 10,720.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-11708 Filed 5-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P