[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 23, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57410-57411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18095]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-23-ELECTRIC-0011]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: RUS 
Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of Timber Products; 
OMB Control No.: 0572-0076

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service 
(RUS or Agency) announces its' intention to request an extension of a 
currently approved information collection and invites comments on this 
information collection.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 23, 2023 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
Go to http://www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search Field'' box, 
labeled ``Search for dockets and documents on agency actions,'' enter 
the following docket number: (RUS-23-ELECTRIC-0011). To submit or view 
public comments, click the ``Search'' button, select the ``Documents'' 
tab, then select the following document title: ``RUS Specification for 
Quality Control and Inspection of Timber Products'' from the ``Search 
Results,'' and select the ``Comment'' button. Before inputting your 
comments, you may also review the ``Commenter's Checklist'' (optional). 
Insert your comments under the ``Comment'' title, click ``Browse'' to 
attach files (if available). Input your email address and select 
``Submit Comment.'' Information on using Regulations.gov, including 
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing 
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through 
the site's ``FAQ'' link.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimble Brown, Rural Development 
Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 4227, South Building, Washington, DC 
20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-6780. Email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies the following information collection 
that RHS is submitting to OMB as an extension to an existing collection 
with Agency adjustment.
    Title: RUS Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of 
Timber Products.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0076.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2024.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Estimate of Burden: This collection of information is estimated to 
average 1.01 hour per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business or other for 
profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 800.
    Estimated Total Number of Responses: 20,000.
    Estimated Annual Reporting Burden on Respondents: 20,000 hours.
    Estimated Annual Recordkeeping Burden on Respondents: 333.25 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20,333.25 hours.
    Abstract: RUS Bulletin 1728H-702 and 7 CFR 1728.202 describe the 
responsibilities and procedures pertaining to the quality control by 
producers and pertaining to inspection of timber products produced in 
accordance with RUS specifications. To ensure the security of loan 
funds, adequate quality control of timber products is vital to loan 
security on electric power systems where hundreds of thousands of wood 
poles and cross-arms are used. Since RUS and its borrowers do not have 
the expertise or manpower to quickly determine imperfections in the 
wood products or their preservatives treatments, they must obtain 
service of an inspection agency to ensure that the specifications for 
wood poles and cross-arms are being met. Copies of test reports on 
various preservatives must accompany each load of poles treated at the 
same time in a pressure cylinder (charge) as required by 7 CFR 
1728.202(i). RUS feels the importance of safety concerns are

[[Page 57411]]

enough to justify requiring test reports so that the purchaser, 
inspectors, and RUS will be able to spot check the general accuracy and 
reliability of the tests.
    Comments are invited on:
    (a) whether the proposed 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 the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions 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 
respondents, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. All responses to this notice 
will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will become a matter of public record.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimble 
Brown, Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, at (202) 
720-2825. Email: [email protected].
    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.

Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-18095 Filed 8-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P