[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 73 (Monday, April 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26121-26122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07922]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket No. RUS-24-WATER-0008]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: RUS-Technical 
Assistance and Construction for Innovative Regional Wastewater 
Treatment Solutions (TAC-RWTS) Pilot Grant Program; OMB Control No.: 
0572-0157

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 a revision of a 
currently approved information collection and invites comments on this 
information collection.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 14, 2024 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically by the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal, http://www.regulations.gov. In the ``Search for 
dockets and documents on agency actions'' box, enter the docket number 
``RUS-24-WATER-0008,'' and click the ``Search'' button. From the search 
results: click on or locate the document title: ``60-Day Notice of 
Proposed Information Collection: ``RUS-Technical Assistance and 
Construction for Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions 
(TAC-RWTS) Pilot Grant Program'' and select the ``Comment'' button. 
Before inputting comments, commenters may review the ``Commenter's 
Checklist'' (optional). To submit a comment: Insert comments under the 
``Comment'' title, click ``Browse'' to attach files (if available), 
input email address, select box to opt to receive email confirmation of 
submission and tracking (optional), select the box ``I'm not a robot,'' 
and then 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.
    All comments will be available for public inspection online at the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal (https://www.regulations.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Day, Rural Development Innovation 
Center--Regulations Management Division, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, Room 4227, South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: 
(971) 313-4750. 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 RUS is submitting to OMB as an extension to an existing collection 
with Agency adjustment.
    Title: RUS-Technical Assistance and Construction for Innovative 
Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions (TAC-RWTS) Pilot Grant Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0157.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2024.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Estimate of Burden: This collection of information is estimated to 
average 4.4 hour per response.
    Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business or other for 
profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 9.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 10.77.
    Estimated Total Number of Responses: 97.
    Estimated Annual Reporting Burden on Respondents: 423 hours.
    Estimated Annual Recordkeeping Burden on Respondents: 0 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 423 hours.
    Abstract: The TAC-RWTS Grant Pilot Program was authorized by the 
Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, for the study and design 
of innovative treatment solutions of regional wastewater systems for 
historically impoverished communities that have had difficulty 
installing traditional wastewater treatment systems due to soil 
conditions. Qualified regional

[[Page 26122]]

consortiums will receive TAC-RWTS grant funds to identify and evaluate 
economically feasible, innovative regional solutions to wastewater 
treatment concerns for historically impoverished communities in areas 
which have had difficulty installing traditional wastewater treatment 
systems due to soil conditions. Grants are for wastewater-related 
technical assistance, including such services as feasibility studies, 
preliminary design assistance and supervision, oversight, or training 
for the development of an application for financial assistance.
    Grantees will be expected to provide the Agency with a detailed 
report to include the area to be served, the issues with the present 
method of wastewater discharge, the alternatives and innovative 
solutions to the wastewater issue, the long-term cost and effect of the 
solution, the affordability including possible funding sources, 
potential treatment, staff training needs, and lifecycle cost analysis.
    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 Lisa 
Day, Innovation Center--Regulations Management Division, at (971) 
313.4750. 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.

Laurel Leverrier,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-07922 Filed 4-12-24; 8:45 am]
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