[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10824-10825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05026]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 8, 2018.
    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 April 
12, 2018 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: 7 CFR 1726, Electric System Construction Policies and 
Procedures--Electric.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0107.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 
U.S.C. 901 et.seq., as amended, (RE ACT) in Sec. 4 (7 U.S.C. 904) 
authorizes and empowers the Administrator of the Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS) to make loans in the several States and Territories of 
the United States for rural electrification and the furnishing and 
improving of electric energy to persons in rural areas. These loans are 
for a term of up to 35 years and are secured by a first mortgage on the 
borrower's electric system. In the interest of protecting loan security 
and accomplishing the statutory objective of a sound program of rural 
electrification, Section 4 of the RE Act further requires that 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. RUS will 
collect information using various RUS forms.
    Need and Use of the Information: RUS will collect information to 
implement certain provisions of the RUS standard form of loan documents 
regarding the borrower's purchase of materials and equipment and the 
construction of its electric system by contract or force account. The 
use of standard forms and procurement procedures helps assure RUS that 
appropriate standards and specifications are maintained; agency loan 
security is not adversely affected; and loan and loan guarantee funds 
are used effectively and for the intended purposes. The information 
will be used by RUS electric borrowers, their contractors and by RUS. 
If standard forms were not used, borrowers would need to prepare their 
own documents at a significant expense; and each document submitted by 
a borrower would require extensive and costly review by both RUS and 
the Office of the General Counsel.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 817.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 78.

[[Page 10825]]

Rural Utility Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1780, Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0121.
    Summary of Collection: Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (CONACT), 7 U.S.C. 1926, authorizes Rural 
Utilities Service (RUS) to make loans and grants to public entities, 
federally-recognized American Indian tribes, and nonprofit 
corporations. The loans and grants fund the development of drinking 
water waste water, solid waste disposal, and storm wastewater disposal 
facilities in rural areas with populations of up to 10,000 residents.
    Need and Use of the Information: Rural Development's field offices 
will collect information from applicants/borrowers and consultants to 
determine eligibility and project feasibility. The information will 
help to ensure borrowers operate on a sound basis and use loan funds 
for authorized purposes. There are agency forms required as well as 
other requirements that involve certifications from the borrower, 
lenders, and other parties. Failure to collect proper information could 
result in improper determinations of eligibility, use of funds and or 
unsound loans.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; Not-
for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 865.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 150,339.

Rural Utility Service

    Title: Servicing of Water Programs Loans and Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0137.
    Summary of Collection: Authority for servicing of Water Programs 
Loan and Grants is contained in Section 306e of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act, as amended. The information collected covers 
loan and grant servicing regulations, 7 CFR part 1782, which prescribes 
policies and responsibilities for servicing actions necessary in 
connection with Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) loans and 
grants. WEP provides loans, guaranteed loans and grants for water, 
sewer, storm water, and solid waste disposal facilities in rural areas 
and towns of up to 10,000 people.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Rural Utilities Service will 
collect information using various forms. The collected information for 
the most part is financial in nature and needed by the Agency to 
determine if borrowers, based on their individual situations, qualify 
for the various servicing authorities. Servicing actions become 
necessary due to the development of financial or other problems and may 
be initiated by either a recipient which recognizes that a problem 
exists and wished to resolve it, or by the Agency. If a problem exists, 
a recipient must furnish financial information which is used to aid in 
resolving the problem through re-amortization, sale, transfer, debt 
restructuring, liquidation, or other means provided in the regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; non-
profit institutions; State and local governments.
    Number of Respondents: 62.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 729.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-05026 Filed 3-12-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P