[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68403-68404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23932]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utility Service


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 29, 2016.
    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 are requested regarding (1) 
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; (2) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and 
clarity of the information to be collected; (4) 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 regarding this information collection received by November 
3, 2016 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), 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. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
    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: Broadband Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0127.
    Summary of Collection: Congress has recognized the need to 
facilitate the deployment of broadband service to un-served rural 
areas. The provision to broadband transmission service is vital to the 
economic development, education, health, and safety of rural Americans.
    The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (Title III, Pub. L. 108-
199, Stat.3), 7 CFR 1739 Subpart A, as amended, authorizes the Rural 
Development, Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to administer the Community 
Connect Grant Program for the provision of broadband transmission 
service in rural America. Grant authority is utilized to deploy 
broadband infrastructure to extremely rural, lower income communities 
on a ``community-oriented connectivity'' basis.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS gives priority to rural areas 
that it believes have the greatest need for broadband transmission 
services. This broadband access is intended to promote economic 
development and provide enhanced educational and health care 
opportunities. RUS will provide financial assistance to eligible 
entities that are proposing to deploy broadband transmission service in 
rural communities where such service does not currently exist and who 
will connect the critical community facilities including the local 
schools, libraries, hospitals, police, fire and rescue services and who 
will operate a community center that provides free and open access to 
residents.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-
profit institutions; State, Local and Tribal Governments.

[[Page 68404]]

    Number of Respondents: 70.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting; On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 11,380.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-23932 Filed 10-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-15-P