[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 231 (Monday, December 4, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84120-84121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26519]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to 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; and 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 January 
3, 2024 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 Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant 
Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat 
Processing Grant Program was authorized by Section 1001 of the American 
Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-2), which assists U.S. 
states and territories to build resilience in the middle of the supply 
chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. The Rural 
Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) administers this program, an agency 
within USDA Rural Development, in partnership with the Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS) and in consultation with the Office of Tribal 
Relations (OTR).
    Indigenous Animals Grants are part of the broader Biden-Harris 
Administration $1 billion investment to help expand independent 
processing capacity while also increasing competitiveness and equity in 
the food system. This administration has supported investment in tribal 
meat processing supply chains, including through the provision of 
direct technical assistance to Indian Country. This grant program seeks 
to improve the viability of tribal nations' food sovereignty 
initiatives and supply chain resiliency by developing and expanding 
animal protein processing activities related to indigenous animals. 
Additionally, this grant program is being made pursuant to the United 
States' government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes to 
further their self-governance goals of maintaining and improving food 
and agriculture supply chain resiliency.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information provided will be 
used to determine applicant and project eligibility and to ensure that 
projects meet program goals and are for authorized purposes. Applicants 
that receive grant awards are also required to execute a Financial 
Assistance Agreement with the Agency and provide financial and project 
performance reports to the Agency to ensure that projects are being 
completed in a timely manner.
    Description of Respondents: State, local, and Tribal governments.
    Number of Respondents: 50.
    Frequency of Responses: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 2,328.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: 7 CFR 1951--Servicing and Collection Common Forms.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural 
Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service 
(RUS) agencies within the Rural Development mission area, hereinafter 
referred to as Agency, is the credit Agency for agriculture and rural 
development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The Agency 
offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and 
support economic development and essential services such as housing; 
health care; first responder services and equipment; and water, 
electric and communications infrastructure.

[[Page 84121]]

    The RHS is authorized under various sections of title V of the 
Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provide financial assistance to 
construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or rehabilitate dwellings, 
which will provide modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing to 
eligible individuals in rural areas. The Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act, as amended, authorizes the credit programs of the RHS, 
RBCS and RUS to provide financial assistance for essential community 
facilities such as construction of community facilities and water and 
waste systems; and the improvement, development, and financing of 
businesses, industries, and employment.
    Need and Use of the Information: The applicant/borrower, 
contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, equipment lessor, 
architect, engineer, manufacturer or sponsor of manufactured housing 
collects the required information. Rural Development provides forms 
and/or guidelines to assist in the collection and submission of 
information. The information is usually submitted via hand delivery or 
U.S. Postal Service to the Rural Development Field Office, although 
receipt through email or USDA Service Center's eForms website is 
becoming more common. Occasionally, information is submitted directly 
to the Rural Development State Office.
    The information is used by Rural Development to determine whether a 
loan/grant can be approved, to ensure that Rural Development has 
adequate security for the loans financed, to provide for sound 
construction and development work and to determine that the 
requirements of the applicable acts have been met. The information is 
also used to monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of the 
loan/grant and to monitor the prudent use of Federal funds.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals and households.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 6.

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

    Title: 1980 Guaranteed Loan Common Forms Package.
    OMB Control Number: 0570-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural 
Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service 
(RUS) agencies within the Rural Development mission area, hereinafter 
referred to as Agency, is the credit Agency for agriculture and rural 
development for the United States Department of Agriculture. The Agency 
offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to help create jobs and 
support economic development and essential services such as housing; 
health care; first responder services and equipment; and water, 
electric and communications infrastructure.
    The Authorities that allow the Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural 
Business and Cooperative Service (RBCS) and Rural Utilities service 
(RUS), Agencies within Rural Development (RD) are as follows:
    The RHS is authorized under various sections of Title V of the 
Housing Act of 1949, as amended, to provide financial assistance to 
construct, improve, alter, repair, replace, or rehabilitate dwellings, 
which will provide modest, decent, safe, and sanitary housing to 
eligible individuals in rural areas. The Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act, as amended, authorizes the credit programs of the RHS, 
RBCS and RUS to provide financial assistance for essential community 
facilities such as construction of community facilities and water and 
waste systems; and the improvement, development, and financing of 
businesses, industries, and employment.
    Need and Use of the Information: The applicant/borrower, 
contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, equipment lessor, 
architect, engineer, manufacturer or sponsor of manufactured housing 
collects the required information. Rural Development provides forms 
and/or guidelines to assist in the collection and submission of 
information. The information is usually submitted via hand delivery or 
U.S. Postal Service to the Rural Development Field Office, although 
receipt through email or USDA Service Center's eForms website is 
becoming more common. Occasionally, information is submitted directly 
to the Rural Development State Office.
    The information is used by Rural Development to determine whether a 
loan/grant can be approved, to ensure that Rural Development has 
adequate security for the loans financed, to provide for sound 
construction and development work and to determine that the 
requirements of the applicable acts have been met. The information is 
also used to monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of the 
loan/grant and to monitor the prudent use of Federal funds.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals and households.
    Number of Respondents: 1.
    Frequency of Responses: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 2.

Levi S. Harrell,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-26519 Filed 12-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P