[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27065-27066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10503]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 13, 2021.
    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: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 
collected; 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 June 18, 
2021 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the 
proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of 
the publication of this notice on the following website 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    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: 827.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 82.

    Title: 7 CFR 1780, Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0121.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Utilities Service (``RUS''), an 
agency of the Rural Development (``RD''), United States Department of 
Agriculture, is requesting OMB clearance of the reporting requirements 
relating to 7 CFR part 1780, the regulation utilized to administer the 
Water and Waste Loans and Grants program. In addition, RUS is seeking 
clearance for applicants applying under 7 CFR 1777, Section 306C Water 
and Waste Disposal Loans and Grant,'' and 7 CFR 1778, ``Emergency 
Community Water Assistance Grants'', which follow 7 CFR 1780 for 
application requirements.
    Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(``CONACT''), 7 U.S.C. 1926, authorizes RUS to make loans and grants to 
public entities, federally-recognized American Indian tribes, and not-
for-profit corporations. The loans and grants fund the development of 
drinking water, wastewater, solid waste disposal, and storm wastewater 
disposal facilities in rural areas with populations of up to 10,000 
residents. A rural area is defined in the CONACT as any city, town, or 
unincorporated area consisting of no more than 10,000 residents. In 
addition to the development costs, 7 CFR 1780.9, Eligible loan and 
grant purposes, defines the associated costs that are eligible for 
reimbursement, such as reasonable engineering and legal expenses. The 
agency uses information submitted by applicant entities to determine 
eligibility and evaluate project feasibility.
    Need and Use of the Information: RD state and field offices collect 
the information from applicants, borrowers, and consultants. They use 
the information to determine applicant eligibility and project 
feasibility. They also use the information to ensure that borrowers 
operate on a sound basis and use the loan and grant funds for 
authorized purposes as defined in statute and regulation.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government; Not-
for-profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 896.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 156,339.

    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

[[Page 27066]]

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 Agency provides forms and/
or guidelines to assist in collection and submission of the information 
required to service loans and grants. In some cases, use of Agency 
forms is optional and the borrower may submit the information required 
on other forms. The Agency utilizes existing Rural Development forms to 
the greatest extent possible to continue to meet the needs of the 
program. The forms or related items completed by the borrower are 
submitted to and evaluated by the Agency servicing office. The 
information, mostly financial in nature, is required to determine if 
borrowers, based on their individual situations, qualify for the 
various servicing authorities.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; non-
profit institutions; State and local governments.
    Number of Respondents: 304.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 654.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-10503 Filed 5-18-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P