[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 15325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06024]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Rural Utilities Service, invites comments on this information 
collection for which the Agency intends to request approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 30, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas P. Dickson, Deputy Director, 
Program Development & Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1522, Room 5164 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-4492. (202) FAX: (202) 
720-8435. [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 7 CFR 1753, Telecommunications System Construction Policies 
and Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0059.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection 
package.
    Abstract: In order to facilitate the programmatic interest of the 
RE Act, and, in order to assure that loans made or guaranteed by the 
Agency are adequately secured, the Agency, as a secured lender, has 
established certain forms for materials, equipment and construction of 
electric and telecommunications systems. The use of standard forms, 
construction contracts, and procurement procedures helps assure the 
Agency that appropriate standards and specifications are maintained, 
the Agency's loan security is not adversely affected; and the loan 
response. In an effort to improve customer service provided to RUS 
rural borrowers, the Agency continues to revise, consolidate, and/or 
streamline its current contracts and contracting procedures.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit and non-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 513.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 9.
    Estimate Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,434 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be requested from MaryPat 
Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities 
Service by telephone at (202) 720-7853 or email: 
[email protected].
    Comments are invited on (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 assumption 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 on 
other forms of information technology.
    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 22, 2017.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-06024 Filed 3-27-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P