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[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 39863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16273]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends 
to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by August 28, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: F. Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., STOP 1522, Room 4036 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 720-9550. FAX: (202) 720-
4120.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR 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 an information collection that RUS 
is submitting to OMB for reinstatement.
    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 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 may be sent to: F. 
Lamont Heppe, Jr., Director, Program Development and Regulatory 
Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 
1522, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. FAX: 
(202) 720-4120.
    Title: Water and Waste Disposal Programs Guaranteed Loans.
    Type of Request: New collection approval.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service is authorized by Section 306 
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926) to 
make loans to public agencies, nonprofit corporations, and Indian 
tribes for the development of water and waste disposal facilities 
primarily servicing rural residents. The guaranteed loan program 
encourages lender participation and provides specific guidance in the 
processing and servicing of guaranteed loans. The regulations governing 
the Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan program are currently 
codified at 7 CFR 1980, subparts A and I, and the reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements are currently cleared under OMB Control 
Numbers 0572-0119 and 0572-0120. The Agency issued a proposed rule 
dated October 7, 1997, at 62 FR 52277, that proposed to amend 7 CFR 
1980, subparts A and I. The Agency is currently working on the final 
rule and when the rule is finalized the Water and Waste Disposal 
Guaranteed Loan program will be codified at 7 CFR 1779 and covered 
under a new OMB Control number, incorporating all requirements for the 
program.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 7.8 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for profit; not-for-profit 
institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 7.3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 858 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Michele 
Brooks, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 690-1078. 
FAX: (202) 720-4120.
    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.

    Dated: June 20, 2000.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 00-16273 Filed 6-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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