[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 48720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19452]


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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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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 159 / Monday, August 18, 2014 / 
Notices  

[[Page 48720]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 12, 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: RUS Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of 
Timber Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0076.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a 
credit agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is 
authorized to manage loan programs in accordance with the Rural 
Electrification Act (RE Act) of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended. 
It makes mortgage loans and loan guarantees to finance 
telecommunications, electric, and water and waste facilities in rural 
areas. To ensure the security of loan funds, adequate quality control 
of timber products is vital to loan security on electric power systems 
where hundreds of thousands of wood poles and cross-arms are used. 
Prior to receiving loan funds, a RUS borrower must enter into a loan 
contract with RUS. In accordance with Article V, Section 5.14 of the 
loan contract, ``the borrower shall use design standards, construction 
standards and lists of acceptable materials in conformance with RUS 
regulations.
    Need and Use of the Information: The purchaser or treating company 
may obtain the services of an inspection agency or third party 
oversight organization to perform certain inspection services to insure 
that the specifications for wood poles and cross-arms are being met. As 
required by 7 CFR 1728.202(i) copies of test reports on various 
preservatives must accompany each charge (a charge being a load of 
poles treated at the same time in a pressure cylinder). Test reports 
are needed so that the purchaser, the inspectors, and RUS will be able 
to spot-check the general accuracy of the tests. RUS will use the 
information in verifying acceptability of poles and cross-arms 
purchased by RUS borrowers.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 25.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 20,333.

Rural Utilities Service

    Title: 7 CFR Part 1738, Rural Broadband Loan and Loan Guarantee.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0130.
    Summary of Collection: Title VI, Rural Broadband Access, of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (RE Act), provides loans 
and loan guarantees to fund the cost of construction, improvement, or 
acquisition of facilities and equipment for the provision of broadband 
service in eligible rural communities in State and territories of the 
United States. The regulation prescribes the types of loans available, 
facilities financed and eligible applicants, as well as minimum credit 
support requirements considered for a loan. In addition, Title VI of 
the RE Act requires that Rural Utilities Service (RUS) make or 
guarantee a loan only if there is reasonable assurance that the loan, 
together with all outstanding loans and obligations of the borrower, 
will be repaid in full within the time agreed.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information in the application 
will be used to determine an applicant's eligibility, availability of 
broadband service for priority consideration, technical and economic 
feasibility of the proposed project (that the funds requested are 
adequate to complete the project taking into consideration any 
additional funding provided by the applicant and that the loan can be 
repaid within the allowable time frame), and the applicant complies 
with statutory, regulatory and administrative eligibility requirements 
for loan assistance.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 25.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 10,545.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-19452 Filed 8-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P