[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 37041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16641]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 3, 2017.
    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 
September 7, 2017 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: Telecommunications System Construction Policies and 
Procedures.
    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: 110.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 8,807.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-16641 Filed 8-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-15-P